Laser catalysis of acrylonitrile on copper surfaces

The electron emission and CN− yield produced by laser irradiation of acrylonitrile (ACN) adsorbed on a polycrystalline Cu surface have been investigated over the 930–953 cm−1 wavenumber range. Both emissions show a clear wavelength dependence with a ca. 20 cm−1 red shift with respect to the gas-phase ACN spectrum. The laser catalysis CN− yield is discussed in light with both substrate and adsorbate-mediated mechanisms, which seem to be controlling this (charge-transfer) surface reaction.