%0 Journal Article %A Hansen, Christopher S. %A Kirk, Benjamin B. %A Blanksby, Stephen J. %A Trevitt, Adam J. %D 2013 %T Ultraviolet Photodissociation of the N‑Methylpyridinium Ion: Action Spectroscopy and Product Characterization %U https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Ultraviolet_Photodissociation_of_the_i_N_i_Methylpyridinium_Ion_Action_Spectroscopy_and_Product_Characterization/2363083 %R 10.1021/jp4075515.s001 %2 https://acs.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/4002523 %K Action Spectroscopy %K S 1 state %K 36 000 %K C 5H %K C 5D %K methane coproduct %K laser photodissociation mass spectrometry %K C 5H C 5H %K isotopologue %K 43 000 %K CASSCF %K photon wavenumber %K quantum chemical calculations %K cm %K Ultraviolet Photodissociation %K ground state surface %K vibronic detail %K Product CharacterizationThe %K room temperature %X The ultraviolet photodissociation of gas-phase N-methylpyridinium ions is studied at room temperature using laser photodissociation mass spectrometry and structurally diagnostic ion–molecule reaction kinetics. The C5H5N–CH3+ (m/z 94), C5H5N-CD3+ (m/z 97), and C5D5N–CH3+(m/z 99) isotopologues are investigated, and it is shown that the N-methylpyridinium ion photodissociates by the loss of methane in the 36 000 – 43 000 cm–1 (280 – 230 nm) region. The dissociation likely occurs on the ground state surface following internal conversion from the S1 state. For each isotopologue, by monitoring the photofragmentation yield as a function of photon wavenumber, a broad vibronically featured band is recorded with origin (0–0) transitions assigned at 38 130, 38 140 and 38 320 cm–1 for C5H5N–CH3+ C5H5N-CD3+ and C5D5N–CH3+, respectively. With the aid of quantum chemical calculations (CASSCF­(6,6)/aug-cc-pVDZ), most of the observed vibronic detail is assigned to two in-plane ring deformation modes. Finally, using ion–molecule reactions, the methane coproduct at m/z 78 is confirmed as a 2-pyridinylium ion. %I ACS Publications