Direct synthesis of polyyne molecules in acetone by dissociation using femtosecond laser irradiation

Hydrogen-capped polyynes have been synthesized by 800 nm femtosecond photolysis of acetone molecules. Four bands appearing in the 1800-2200 cm(-1) range of surface enhanced Raman spectra show a mixture of polyynes with variable chain lengths in the irradiated acetone. The shortest hydrogen-terminated chain is found to be C6H2. The presence of charged carbon dimer, monomer C-2(+), C+ and double charged C2+ has been confirmed by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. These ions are generated as irradiation products of step-wise dissociation of acetone and further act as building blocks in the synthesis of polyynes. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.