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.