The formation of the stable radicals •CH₂CN, CH₃•CHCN and •CH₂CH₂CN from the anions ⁻CH₂CN, CH₃⁻CHCN and ⁻CH₂CH₂CN in the gas phase. A joint experimental and theoretical study

Abstract

Franck–Condon one-electron oxidation of the stable anions ⁻CH₂CN, CH₃⁻CHCN and ⁻CH₂CH₂CN (in the collision cell of a reverse-sector mass spectrometer) produce the radicals •CH₂CN, CH₃•CHCN and •CH₂CH₂CN, which neither rearrange nor decompose during the microsecond duration of the neutralisation–reionisation experiment. Acetonitrile (CH₃CN) and propionitrile (CH₃CH₂CN) are known interstellar molecules and radical abstraction of these could produce energised •CH₂CN and CH₃•CHCN, which might react with NH₂• (a known interstellar radical) on interstellar dust or ice surfaces to form NH₂CH₂CN and NH₂CH(CH₃)CN, precursors of the amino acids glycine and alanine.