Dissociation dynamics in chloroform molecule induced by ion impact

• Published in: International journal of mass spectrometry 2021-11, Vol.469, p.116684, Article 116684
• Main Authors: Das, Nirmallya, Bhatt, Pragya, De, Sankar, Safvan, C.P., Majumdar, Abhijit
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bond rearrangement; Concerted break-up; Ion-impact dissociation; Kinetic energy release; Molecular fragmentation; Time of flight mass spectrum
• ISSN: 1387-3806; 1873-2798
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijms.2021.116684

The ion impact multiple ionization and subsequent dissociation of Chloroform (CHCl3) is investigated with Ar7+ ion beam having an energy of 1 MeV. Using a linear time of flight mass spectrometer coupled with a position sensitive detector, complete as well as incomplete Coulomb explosion pathways for CHCl32+ and CHCl33+ ions are identified and studied. Possible modes of fragmentation pathway for all the identified channels are investigated with the help of kinetic energy release and momentum distributions of fragmented ions. Although concerted fragmentation is the most dominant pathway within the identified channels, we have discussed the possibilities of sequential processes which may occur. A positive slope between the coincidence partners of H+ and C+ probably features sequentiality in the breakup dynamics but remain inconclusive due to lack of complete information. Formation of Cl2+ from the doubly charged CHCl32+ is a direct evidence of bond rearrangement reaction following a structural change during charge separation. •Ion impact fragmentation of chloroform studied using TOF and coincidence map.•Kinetic energy release distributions for two-body and three-body channels.•Mainly concerted fragmentation observed with a probable chance of sequential dissociation.•Direct evidence of fast rearrangement reaction within charged molecular parent.