Study of Electron Ionization and Fragmentation of Non-hydrated and Hydrated Tetrahydrofuran Clusters.
Mass spectroscopic investigations on tetrahydrofuran (THF, C4H8O), a common model molecule of the DNA-backbone, have been carried out. We irradiated isolated THF and (hydrated) THF clusters with low energy electrons (electron energy ~70 eV) in order to study electron ionization and ionic fragmentation. For elucidation of fragmentation pathways, deuterated TDF (C4D8O) was investigated as well. One major observation is that the cluster environment shows overall a protective behavior on THF. However, also new fragmentation channels open in the cluster. In this context, we were able to solve a discrepancy in the literature about the fragment ion peak at mass 55 u in the electron ionization mass spectrum of THF. We ascribe this ion yield to the fragmentation of ionized THF clusters. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.
Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik and Center for Molecular Biosciences, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
Michael
M
Neustetter
Department of Physics, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
Masoomeh
M
Mahmoodi-Darian
Institut für Ionenphysik und Angewandte Physik and Center for Molecular Biosciences, Universität Innsbruck, Technikerstraße 25, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria. Stephan.denifl@uibk.ac.at.
Stephan
0000-0001-6072-2070
S
Denifl
D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry; D019281:Dimerization; D004583:Electrons; D004867:Equipment Design; D005663:Furans / Q000737:chemistry*; D007477:Ions / Q000737:chemistry; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D008958:Models, Molecular; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D005663:Furans; D007477:Ions; D014867:Water; C018674:tetrahydrofuran; D004247:DNA
Cluster; DNA backbone; Electron ionization; Hydration; Radiation damage; Tetrahydrofuran