Formation of C4H4 from photolysis of icy C2H2 with 175 nm at 60 K

Abstract

ABSTRACT The absorption spectrum of solid acetylene (C2H2) at 10 K was measured in wavelength range 107–250 nm with UV light from a synchrotron source. Based on the absorption spectrum, we irradiated at 175 nm the icy acetylene at 60 K; the results yielded a new set of IR absorption lines with similar temporal profiles of production during the photolysis periods. From icy 12C2H2, these new features were recorded at 3276.8, 1598.7, 963.0, 936.3, and 671.3 cm−1, which are assigned to modes ν1, ν6, ν14, ν15, and ν11 (mixing with ν17), respectively, of vinylacetylene (C4H4) based on the results of 13C- and D-isotopic experiments and quantum-chemical calculations. These calculations using density-functional theory (B3LYP/6–311++G**) predict vibrational wavenumbers and IR intensities of vinylacetylene that agree satisfactorily with our experimental results. This work enhances our understanding of the photochemistry of icy acetylene in cold astronomical environments; for instance, the present result can be applied directly to the photochemical processes on Titan's surface.