VUV photochemistry of small biomolecules

Details VUV photochemistry of small biomolecules VUV photochemistry of small biomolecules

Sep 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006p%26ss...54.1073s&link_type=abstract

Planetary and Space Science, Volume 54, Issue 11, p. 1073-1085.

Biology

Quantitative Biology

Biomolecules

12

Scientific paper

We review our recent results on the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photochemistry of small biomolecules. The experimental techniques used, mass spectrometry and photofragment fluorescence spectroscopy, are described. Emphasis is laid on our mass spectrometric results obtained for five nucleic acid bases and five amino acids. Ionisation and appearance energies are determined from photoionisation mass spectrometry, many for the first time. From this, fragmentation pathways following 6 22 eV photoexciation are derived. The adiabatic ionisation energies of the biomolecules studied lie between 8.2 eV (adenine) and 9.6 eV (α-amino-isobutyric acid). We show that the nucleic acid monocations, and chemically related molecular cations, do not fragment even when formed with large internal energies (Eint) ranging from 1.80 to 5.35 eV. In contrast, amino acid monocations are unstable and rapid fragmentation occurs via rupture of the CC(OOH) bond, except for β-alanine, where rupture of the bond between the α-C and β-C is the lowest lying ionic dissociation channel. The VUV photochemistry of the prebiotic species formic acid, acetic acid and methylformate, studied in more detail previously by several techniques, including fluorescence spectroscopy, is also reviewed. Astrophysical implications of our work are discussed in the conclusion.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

VUV photochemistry of small biomolecules does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with VUV photochemistry of small biomolecules, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and VUV photochemistry of small biomolecules will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-960473