Dipole bound, nucleic acid base anions studied via negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy

The anions of the nucleic acid bases, uracil and thymine, were studied by negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy. Both monomer anions exhibit spectroscopic signatures that are indicative of dipole bound excess electrons. The adiabatic electron affinities of these molecules were found to be 93±7 meV for uracil and 69±7 meV for thymine. No conventional (valence) anions of these molecules were observed.