Effect of the charge localization in the C$^{+}$-H$^{+}$ fragmentation pathway of the ethyne dication

The C+ -H+ channel in the fragmentation of the ethyne dication following inner-shell ionization has been studied by Auger electron-ion-ion coincidence spectroscopy. The ion-ion coincidence map shows a peculiar feature which corresponds to the emission of both the H+ and C+ ions in the same direction. The analysis of the data, complemented by ab initio calculations, suggests an interpretation in terms of a two-step, asynchronous concerted reaction, in which the charge of the ethynyl intermediate ion localizes on the terminal carbon atom.