Laser-induced dissociation of phenetole ions prepared by resonance-enhanced two-photon, two-color ionization

Laser-induced dissociation of phenetole ions has been carried out. The ions have been prepared in a well-defined excited state by resonance-enhanced two-photon, two-color ionization (R2PI/2C). Appearance energies of 2.431 and 2.82 eV have been determined for the first dissociation pathways leading to C 6 H 6 O + and C 5 H 6+ ionic fragment. The dissociation spectrum as well as detailed dissociation rate constants versus internal energy have been obtained. The dissociation rates are compared with those expected from RRKM theory. A complex reaction scheme has been assumed in order to explain the observed discrepancy.