Isomer discrimination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Murchison meteorite by resonant ionization.
We have used two-color resonant two-photon ionization (2C-R2PI) mass spectrometry to discriminate between isomers of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the Murchison meteorite. We measured the 2C-R2PI spectra of chrysene and triphenylene seeded in a supersonic jet by laser desorption. Since each isomer differs in its R2PI spectrum, we can distinguish between isomers using wavelength dependent ionization and mass spectrometry. We found both chrysene and triphenylene in sublimates from carbonaceous residue obtained by acid demineralization of the Murchison meteorite. Their R2PI mass spectra show only the molecular ion, even though these samples contain a complex inventory of organic molecules.
Callahan
Michael P
MP
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9510, USA.
Abo-Riziq
Ali
A
Crews
Bridgit
B
Grace
Louis
L
de Vries
Mattanjah S
MS
D002911:Chrysenes / Q000737:chemistry; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry; D007477:Ions; D007536:Isomerism; D007834:Lasers; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D019110:Meteoroids; D008956:Models, Chemical; D017785:Photons; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons / Q000737:chemistry*; D013696:Temperature
D002911:Chrysenes; D007477:Ions; D011084:Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons; C031180:chrysene; C009590:triphenylene; D006108:Graphite