A combined theoretical and experimental determination of the electronic spectrum of acetone

A combined ab initio and experimental investigation has been performed of the main features of the electronic spectrum of acetone. Vertical transition energies have been calculated from the ground to the ny→π∗, π→π∗, σ→π∗, and the n=3 Rydberg states. In addition, the 1A1 energy surfaces have been studied as functions of the CO bond length. The 1A1 3p and 3d states were found to be heavily perturbed by the π→π∗ state. Resonant multiphoton ionization and polarization‐selected photoacoustic spectra of acetone have been measured and observed transitions were assigned on internal criteria. The calculated vertical transition energies to the ny→π∗ and all Rydberg states were found to be in agreeme…