ON THE DISSOCIATION PATHWAYS OF NITROBENZENE

The fragmentation of nitrobenzene has been studied in the wavelength range 225-275 nm using a single dye laser, frequency doubled, in conjunction with a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The parent (C6H5NO2+), nitrosobenzene (C6H5NO+), phenoxy (C6H5O+) and phenyl (C6H5+) ions were all observed in addition to many other lighter daughter fragments. The formation of the nitrosobenzene, phenoxy and phenyl ions are all explained invoking pathways where dissociation of the parent molecule from an excited state takes place first, followed by ionization after the absorption of further photons (DI) by the fragmented neutrals. Ionization of the parent molecule to states which are dissociative (ID) can explain the increase in the production of phenyl ions at wavelengths shorter than 230 nm.