Gas-phase electronic spectra of C6NH2 and C8NH2

The electronic spectra of C6NH2 and C8NH2 have been detected in the gas phase in the 16700-22000 cm−1 range by a mass selective resonant two-color two-photon ionization technique coupled to a laser ablation source. Several possible structural motifs are discussed. The production suggests to be amino radical addition to a linear carbon skeleton (C6NH2). Calculations indicate that a structure with hydrogens and nitrogen on opposite ends of the molecule (H2C6N) lies 2.8 eV lower in energy. The absence of ∼20  cm−1 spaced rotational K-structure indicates the presence of an off-axis carbon or nitrogen atom, but not hydrogen alone.