Base-dependent electron photodetachment from negatively charged DNA strands upon 260-nm laser irradiation

DNA multiply charged anions stored in a quadrupole ion trap undergo one-photon electron ejection (oxidation) when subjected to laser irradiation at 260 nm (4.77 eV). Electron photodetachment is likely a fast process, given that photodetachment is able to compete with internal conversion or radiative relaxation to the ground state. The DNA [6-mer](3-) ions studied here show a marked sequence dependence of electron photodetachment yield. Remarkably, the photodetachment yield (dG(6) > dA(6) > dC(6) > dT(6)) is inversely correlated with the base ionization potentials (G