The A 1Π(u)←X 1Σ Electronic Transition of CCN+ and CNC+

The electronic absorption spectra of the A ¹Π_(u)←X ¹Σ transition of CCN⁺ and CNC⁺ have been observed in a 5 K Ne matrix after mass selection of C₂N⁺. CCN⁺ has the origin band at 462.0(2) nm. The vibrational structure with frequencies 1223(20) and 1725(20) cm⁻¹ corresponds to the symmetric and antisymmetric stretching modes in the excited state. The origin band of CNC⁺ is observed at 325.7(2) nm, and the system shows extensive vibrational excitation. Calculations of the potential energy functions of CCN⁺ and CNC⁺ in their X ¹Σ ground state and the A ¹Π state of CCN⁺ followed by variational evaluation of the rovibronic energy levels allows the assignment of the observed spectra. These spectroscopic data open the way to gas‐phase studies of the astrophysically important C₂N⁺ ions.