Photochemistry of the pyruvate anion produces CO2, CO, CH3 –, CH3, and a low energy electron

Abstract

Pyruvic acid and its conjugate base, the pyruvate anion, are largely present in the atmosphere. Here the authors, using photoelectron imaging and quantum chemistry calculations, investigate the photochemistry of isolated pyruvate anions initiated by UVA radiation and report the formation of CO2, CO, and CH3 − further decomposing into CH3 and a free electron.