MECHANISMS OF THE ELECTRON-INDUCED ALANINE MOLECULE FRAGMENTATION.

The fragmentation of the alanine (C3H7NO2) molecule due to the low-energy electron impact was studied both experimentally and theoretically using the mass spectroscopic technique combined with the density functional theoretical approach. The main emphasis was given to the mechanisms of initial molecule fragment production. Special attention was paid to the energy characteristics of the ionic fragment yield. The geometrical parameters of initial molecule rearrangement were also analysed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]