Molecular Rearrangement Of Aniline In Femtosecond Radiation

In this work we investigate the interaction of aniline in the gas phase with 50 fs pulses of radiation at a wavelength of 800 nm. Ion yields were measured using a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer that avoids spatial averaging by collecting ion from a micrometer-sized volume within the focal region. This measuring technique allows for accurate measurements and quantification of relative ion yields at a well-defined intensity. Our results show the production of benzene C(6)H(6)ions from the interaction of aniline C6H7N with femtosecond radiation. Quantum chemical calculation reveal an unusual reaction pathway for this molecular rearrangement. Lastly metastable ions are observed in the spectrum and their precursors are investigated.