Spectroscopy and Thermochemistry of Fe+(acetylene) and Fe+(benzene) Complexes

Fe+(acetylene) and Fe+(benzene) complexes are produced by laser vaporization in a supersonic molecular beam and studied with mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopy. Infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy of Fe+(acetylene) provides the structure and spin state of this complex. UV-visible spectroscopy of Fe+(acetylene) and Fe+(benzene) complexes investigate the possible relevance for these species regarding the diffuse interstellar bands. Photodissociation thresholds at visible wavelengths are determined for both ions, providing their bond energies. Photofragment imaging experiments provide an independent determination of the bond energies, in agreement with the values determined from threshold measurements. The structures and energetics for these ions provide benchmarks for computational chemistry.