The resonant Auger spectra of formic acid, acetaldehyde, acetic acid and methyl formate

We have measured the resonant Auger spectra of four simple organic molecules containing a carbonyl (C=O) group, following excitation of an oxygen Is electron to an antibonding valence orbital. The full range of final state energies is presented. The spectra are analysed for similarities arising from similar chemical structures within the molecules. An ab initio calculation of the resonant Auger spectrum of the simplest molecule, formic acid, is shown to aid in the interpretation. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.