Threshold Photoelectron Spectrum of the Anilino Radical

We report on the photoionization of the resonance-stabilized anilino radical (C₆H₅NH) formed by H atom abstraction from aniline by F atoms in a flow tube. The spectra were recorded from 7.8 to 9.7 eV by using a double-imaging photoelectron/photoion coincidence spectrometer with VUV radiation provided by the DESIRS beamline at the SOLEIL synchrotron. The vibrationally resolved recorded threshold photoelectron spectrum of the anilino radical showed transitions to the ground X⁺¹A′ ← X²A″ and first excited states a⁺³A″ ← X²A″ of the cation, which were assigned through comparison with theoretically simulated spectra, yielding an adiabatic ionization energy of 8.02 ± 0.02 eV. These results are discussed in light of existing data on the picolyl structural isomers and are of interest for the analytical applications of coincidence techniques in real-time combustion analysis where these intermediates are found.