MULTIPHOTON IONIZATION AND DISSOCIATION OF NITROTOLUENE ISOMERS BY UV LASER-LIGHT

The photofragmentation of the nitrotoluene isomers in the gas phase is studied in the wavelength region 210-270 nm using a pulsed UV laser in conjunction with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Laser-induced mass spectra are analysed and compared with those produced by the electron impact technique. The generation of the observed fragment ions is explained by invoking different fragmentation pathways followed by these molecules. Observed differences in the mass spectra of the ortho- meta-, and para-nitrotoluene isomers and in the wavelength dependence of the NO fragment released from these molecules are discussed as a possible way of providing a laser-based method for their identification.