Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 9, 2026

Using Cyclic Voltammetry, UV-Vis-NIR, and EPR Spectroelectrochemistry to Analyze Organic Compounds
Published on: October 18, 2018
Spectroscopy of Ethylenedione
Andrew R Dixon1, Tian Xue1, Andrei Sanov2
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0041 (USA).
Abstract:
The long sought-after, intrinsically short-lived molecule ethylenedione (OCCO) was observed and investigated by anion photoelectron spectroscopy. The adiabatic electron affinity of its quasi-bound (3)Σ(g)(-) state is 1.936(8) eV. The vibrational progression with a 417(15) cm(-1) frequency observed within the triplet band corresponds to a trans-bending mode. Several dissociative singlet states are also observed, corresponding to two components of the (1)Δg state and the (1)Σ(g)(+) state. The experimental results are in agreement with theoretical predictions and constitute the first spectroscopic observation and characterization of this elusive compound.
Related Concept Videos
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Woodward–Fieser Rules
¹³C NMR: Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer (DEPT)
IR and UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Aldehydes and Ketones
Spectroscopy of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Chemical Ionization (CI) Mass Spectrometry
¹H NMR of Labile Protons: Deuterium (²H) Substitution

