Photofragmentation dynamics of N,N-dimethylformamide following excitation at 193 nm

N,N-dimethylformamide, HCON(CH₃)₂, is a useful model compound for investigating the peptide bond photofragmentation dynamics. We report data from a comprehensive experimental and theoretical study into the photofragmentation dynamics of N,N-dimethylformamide in the gas phase at 193 nm. Through a combination of velocity-map imaging and hydrogen atom Rydberg tagging photofragment translational spectroscopy we have identified two primary fragmentation channels, namely, fission of the N–CO “peptide” bond and N–CH₃ bond fission leading to the loss of CH₃. The possible fragmentation channels leading to the observed products are rationalised with recourse to CASPT2 calculations of the ground and first few excited-state potential energy curves along the relevant dissociation coordinates, and the results are compared with the data from previous experimental and theoretical studies on the same system.