The electronic absorption spectra of mono-hydrogenated carbon chain anions
C2nH- (n=5-10) have been measured in the gas-phase and in 6 K neon matrices
(n=8-12). The techniques of resonant two-color electron photodetachment in
the gas-phase and absorption spectroscopy of mass-selected anions in neon
matrix were used. A homologous series is observed, with band system origins
shifting from 304 nm for C10H- to 590 nm for C20H-. In conjunction with ab
initio calculations the band systems are attributed to a (1)Sigma(+)<-- X
(1)Sigma(+) transition of linear acetylenic anions. Another near lying elec
tronic transition due to a second isomer is also apparent for C10H- up to C
24H-. Comparison with tables of the known diffuse interstellar bands indica
tes possible matches for the origin bands of the C18H- and C20H- isomers. (
C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021- 9606(99)00744-8].