Sequential two photon dissociation of cyanobenzene cation

In continuation of our studies in the new area of multiple photon laser dissociation of ions, we report evidence for the sequential two photon dissociation of cyanobenzene radical cation, C₆H₅CN⁺, to produce predominantly C₆H⁺₄ and HCN. The complete excitation function for this process, as well as for a single photon process occurring at higher energies, are compared to the photoelectron spectrum of cyanobenzene to elucidate the nature of the transitions involved. An exact kinetic expression is derived and used to obtain information about the absorption spectra of C₆H₅CN⁺ in its ground vibronic state and with internal energy between 2.0 and 2.8 eV. Finally, data from our earlier study of benzene radical cation is reanalyzed and discussed.