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Can super-excited molecules survive fragmentation?
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Can super-excited molecules survive fragmentation?

A Nath, M J Prushan and J G Gilbert
Journal of radioanalytical and nuclear chemistry, v 247(3), pp 589-591
01 Mar 2001

Abstract

Chemistry Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear Nuclear Science & Technology Physical Sciences Science & Technology Technology
An Auger event triggered by electron-capture (EC) decay of Co-57 incorporated in a chelate molecule results in the loss of an average of 5 electrons. During subsequent charge neutralization, the molecule acquires >50 eV of excitation energy. Only molecules having a large pi -electron system were found to escape fragmentation. The fate of the molecule was followed by the 14.4 keV Mossbauer emission which occurs 10(-7) second after the EC event. For a conjugated molecule to survive fragmentation, it should be able to disperse its energy in a time interval shorter than the period of atomic vibrations. We had proposed earlier that p-electrons undergo collective excitation and that the plasmon decays in <10(-14) second accompanied by ejection of an electron leaving the molecule unscathed. Intermolecular energy transfer is not important and even an isolated molecule of Co-57(II) phthalocyanine encapsulated in a zeolite supercage escapes fragmentation following an Auger event. Our model for rapid disposal of large excitation energy receives additional support from recent reports of single or mulitphoton plasmon excitation (<similar to>20 eV) in an isolated C-60 and C-70 fullerene molecule followed by ejection of a single energetic electron leaving the molecule intact.

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Web of Science research areas
Chemistry, Analytical
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Nuclear Science & Technology
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