Electron impact studies. CXXI. Release of kinetic energy during negative-ion fragmentations. The loss of NO⁺ from substituted nitrobenzene molecular anions

Abstract

Kinetic energy release values [T(50%) values] between 0.05 and 0.8 eV have been noted for the unimolecular decomposition M^- → (M-NO^.)^- of the molecular anions of variously substituted nitrobenzenes. Large T values are observed when the substituent is strongly electron-withdrawing. Composite peaks are obtained for m-nitrobenzoic acid and m-nitroacetophenone, showing the occurrence of two distinct processes in these cases.