Long-standing puzzle about a small molecule solved: Spectroscopic characterization of ethylenedione
Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - 04:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Does ethylenedione exist or not? This controversy about the tiny OCCO molecule, which is formally a dimer of carbon monoxide, has been quietly continuing for about a century. American researchers have now presented conclusive experimental proof for the existence of this mysterious compound in the journal Angewandte Chemie. Using photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy, they were able to make ethylenedione and to spectroscopically characterize the electronic states of the molecule.