Guiding electron emissions by excess negative charges in multiply charged molecular anions.

Using photoelectron imaging, we show the effects of excess negative charges on the directions of outgoing electrons in multiply charged anions. Photoemissions are observed to occur either in a perpendicular or parallel direction, depending on the molecular configurations and origins of the detached electrons. Detachment of the π electrons from biphenyl-disulfonate dianions is shown to occur in a perpendicular direction due to the Coulomb repulsion from the two terminal charges, whereas detachment from the sulfonate groups in linear aliphatic disulfonates occurs in parallel directions.