Counter-Intuitive Gas-Phase Reactivities of [V2]+ and [V2O]+ towards CO2 Reduction: Insight from Electronic Structure Calculations

[V₂O]⁺ remains “invisible” in the thermal gas-phase reaction of bare [V₂]⁺ with CO₂ giving rise to [V₂O₂]⁺; this is because the [V₂O]⁺ intermediate is being consumed more than 230 times faster than it is generated. However, the fleeting existence of [V₂O]⁺ and its involvement in the [V₂]⁺ → [V₂O₂]⁺ chemistry are demonstrated by a cross-over labeling experiment with a 1:1 mixture of C¹⁶O₂/C¹⁸O₂, generating the product ions [V₂¹⁶O₂]⁺, [V₂¹⁶O¹⁸O]⁺, and [V₂¹⁸O₂]⁺ in a 1:2:1 ratio. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations help to understand the remarkable and unexpected reactivity differences of [V₂]⁺ versus [V₂O]⁺ towards CO₂.     

Thermal Ethane Activation by Bare [V2O5]+ and [Nb2O5]+ Cluster Cations: on the Origin of Their Different Reactivities

The gas‐phase reactivity of [V₂O₅]⁺ and [Nb₂O₅]⁺ towards ethane has been investigated by means of mass spectrometry and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The two metal oxides give rise to the formation of quite different reaction products; for example, the direct room‐temperature conversions C₂H₆→C₂H₅OH or C₂H₆→CH₃CHO are brought about solely by [V₂O₅]⁺. In distinct contrast, for the couple [Nb₂O₅]⁺/C₂H₆, one observes only single and double hydrogen‐atom abstraction from the hydrocarbon. DFT calculations reveal that different modes of attack in the initial phase of C?H bond activation together with quite different bond‐dissociation energies of the M?O bonds cause the rather varying reactivities of [V₂O₅]⁺ and [Nb₂O₅]⁺ towards ethane. The gas‐phase generation of acetaldehyde from ethane by bare [V₂O₅]⁺ may provide mechanistic insight in the related vanadium‐catalyzed large‐scale process.     

Gas‐phase fragmentation of metal adducts of alkali‐metal oxalate salts

Upon collisional activation, gaseous metal adducts of lithium, sodium and potassium oxalate salts undergo an expulsion of CO₂, followed by an ejection of CO to generate a product ion that retains all three metals atoms of the precursor. Spectra recorded even at very low collision energies (2 eV) showed peaks for a 44‐Da neutral fragment loss. Density functional theory calculations predicted that the ejection of CO₂ requires less energy than an expulsion of a Na⁺ and that the [Na₃CO₂]⁺ product ion formed in this way bears a planar geometry. Furthermore, spectra of [Na₃C₂O₄]⁺ and [³⁹K₃C₂O₄]⁺ recorded at higher collision energies showed additional peaks at m/z 90 and m/z 122 for the radical cations [Na₂CO₂]^+? and [K₂CO₂]^+?, respectively, which represented a loss of an M^? from the precursor ions. Moreover, [Na₃CO₂]⁺, [³⁹K₃CO₂]⁺ and [Li₃CO₂]⁺ ions also undergo a CO loss to form [M₃O]⁺. Furthermore, product‐ion spectra for [Na₃C₂O₄]⁺ and [³⁹K₃C₂O₄]⁺ recorded at low collision energies showed an unexpected peak at m/z 63 for [Na₂OH]⁺ and m/z 95 for [³⁹K₂OH]⁺, respectively. An additional peak observed at m/z 65 for [Na₂¹⁸OH] ⁺ in the spectrum recorded for [Na₃C₂O₄]⁺, after the addition of some H₂¹⁸O to the collision gas, confirmed that the [Na₂OH] ⁺ ion is formed by an ion–molecule reaction with residual water in the collision cell. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ligand‐Controlled CO2 Activation Mediated by Cationic Titanium Hydride Complexes, [LTiH]+ (L=Cp2, O)

CO₂ activation mediated by [LTiH]⁺ (L=Cp₂, O) is observed in the gas phase at room temperature using electrospray‐ionization mass spectrometry, and reaction details are derived from traveling wave ion‐mobility mass spectrometry. Wheresas oxygen‐atom transfer prevails in the reaction of the oxide complex [OTiH]⁺ with CO₂, generating [OTi(OH)]⁺ under the elimination of CO, insertion of CO₂ into the metal–hydrogen bond of the cyclopentadienyl complex, [Cp₂TiH]⁺, gives rise to the formate complex [Cp₂Ti(O₂CH)]⁺. DFT‐based methods were employed to understand how the ligand controls the observed variation in reactivity toward CO₂. Insertion of CO₂ into the Ti?H bond constitutes the initial step for the reaction of both [Cp₂TiH]⁺ and [OTiH]⁺, thus generating formate complexes as intermediates. In contrast to [Cp₂Ti(O₂CH)]⁺ which is kinetically stable, facile decarbonylation of [OTi(O₂CH)]⁺ results in the hydroxo complex [OTi(OH)]⁺. The longer lifetime of [Cp₂Ti(O₂CH)]⁺ allows for secondary reactions with background water, as a result of which, [Cp₂Ti(OH)]⁺ is formed. Further, computational studies reveal a good linear correlation between the hydride affinity of [LTi]²⁺ and the barrier for CO₂ insertion into various [LTiH]⁺ complexes. Understanding the intrinsic ligand effects may provide insight into the selective activation of CO₂.     

Neue Kronenether‐stabilisierte Oxoniumhalogenochalkogenate: [H3O(Dibromo‐benzo‐18‐Krone‐6)]2[Se3Br10] und [H5O2(Bis‐dibromo‐dibenzo‐24‐Krone‐8]2[Se3Br8]

Novel Oxonium Halogenochalcogenates Stabilized by Crown Ethers: [H₃O(Dibromo‐benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]₂[Se₃Br₁₀] and [H₅O₂(Bis‐dibromo‐dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8]₂[Se₃Br₈] Two novel complex oxonium bromoselenates(II,IV) and –(II) are reported containing [H₃O]⁺ and [H₅O₂]⁺ cations coordinated by crown ether ligands. [H₃O(dibromo‐benzo‐18‐crown‐6)]₂[Se₃Br₁₀] ( 1 ) and [H₅O₂(bis‐dibromo‐dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8]₂[Se₃Br₈] ( 2 ) were prepared as dark red crystals from dichloromethane or acetonitrile solutions of selenium tetrabromide, the corresponding unsubstituted crown ethers, and aqueous hydrogen bromide. The products were characterized by their crystal structures and by vibrational spectra. 1 is triclinic, space group (Nr. 2) with a = 8.609(2) Å, b = 13.391(3) Å, c = 13.928(3) Å, α = 64.60(2)°, β = 76.18(2)°, γ = 87.78(2)°, V = 1404.7(5) ų, Z = 1. 2 is also triclinic, space group with a = 10.499(2) Å, b = 13.033(3) Å, c = 14.756(3) Å, α = 113.77(3)°, β = 98.17(3)°, γ = 93.55(3)°. V = 1813.2(7) ų, Z = 1. In the reaction mixture complex redox reactions take place, resulting in (partial) reduction of selenium and bromination of the crown ether molecules. In 1 the centrosymmetric trinuclear [Se₃Br₁₀]^2? consists of a central Se^IVBr₆ octahedron sharing trans edges with two square planar Se^IIBr₄ groups. The novel [Se₃Br₈]^2? in 2 is composed of three planar trans‐edge sharing Se^IIBr₄ squares in a linear arrangement. The internal structure of the oxonium‐crown ether complexes is largely determined by the steric restrictions imposed by the aromatic rings in the crown ether molecules, as compared to complexes with more flexible unsubstituted crown ether ligands.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of 2‐amino‐3‐hydroxypyridinium dioxido(pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ3O2,N,O6)vanadate(V) and its conversion to nanostructured V2O5

2‐Amino‐3‐hydroxypyridinium dioxido(pyridine‐2,6‐dicarboxylato‐κ³O²,N,O⁶)vanadate(V), (C₅H₇N₂O)[V(C₇H₃NO₄)O₂] or [H(amino‐3‐OH‐py)][VO₂(dipic)], (I), was prepared by the reaction of VCl₃ with dipicolinic acid (dipicH₂) and 2‐amino‐3‐hydroxypyridine (amino‐3‐OH‐py) in water. The compound was characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and X‐ray structure analysis, and consists of an anionic [VO₂(dipic)]⁻ complex and an H(amino‐3‐OH‐py)⁺ counter‐cation. The V^V ion is five‐coordinated by one O,N,O′‐tridentate dipic dianionic ligand and by two oxide ligands. Thermal decomposition of (I) in the presence of polyethylene glycol led to the formation of nanoparticles of V₂O₅. Powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize the structure and morphology of the synthesized powder.     

Syntheses of High‐Valent fac‐[99mTcO3]+ Complexes and [3+2] Cycloadditions with Alkenes in Water as a Direct Labelling Strategy

Reported herein is a new concept for the labelling of biomolecules with small [^{99 m}TcO₃]⁺ complexes through a [3+2] cycloaddition with alkenes for radiopharmaceutical applications. We developed convenient reactions for the synthesis of small, water stable fac‐[TcO₃(tacn‐R)]⁺ complexes (⁹⁹Tc and ^99mTc, tacn=1,4,7‐triazacyclononane, R=H, ‐CH₂‐C₆H₅, ‐CH₂‐C₆H₄COOH). With alkenes, these high valent [^99mTcO₃]⁺ complexes undergo [3+2] cycloaddition with formation of the corresponding Tc^V–glycolato complexes. The ^99mTc^V and ^99mTc^VII complexes are stable at 37 °C in water and in the presence of serum proteins. Therefore, new opportunities in technetium chemistry are enabled with a high potential for medicinal and biological applications. In contrast to classical labelling, the presented strategy is ligand and not metal‐centred.     

Structures of decomposing and non-decomposing gas-phase [C4H6O]+· radical cations,and their [C2H2O]+· and [C3H6]+· product ions

The structures of gas-phase [C₄H₆O]^+· radical cations and their daughter ions of composition [C₂H₂O]^+· and [C₃H₆]^+· were investigated by using collisionally activated dissociation, metastable ion measurement, kinetic energy release and collisional ionization tandem mass spectrometric techniques. Electron ionization (70 eV) of ethoxyacetylene, methyl vinyl ketone, crotonaldehyde and 1-methoxyallene yields stable [C₄H₆O]^+· ions, whereas the cyclic C₄H₆O compounds undergo ring opening to stable distonic ions. The structures of [C₂H₃O]^+· ions produced by 70-eV ionization of several C₄H₆O compounds are identical with that of the ketene radical cation. The [C₃H₆]^+· ions generated from crotonaldehyde, methacrylaldehyde, and cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde have structures similar to that of the propene radical cations, whereas those ions generated from the remainder of the [C₄H₆O]^+· ions studied here produced a mixed population of cyclopropane and propene radical cations.     

Unusual centrosymmetric structure of [M(18‐crown‐6)]+ (M = Rb,Cs and NH4) complexes stabilized in an environment of hexachloridoantimonate(V) anions

In (1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane)rubidium hexachloridoantimonate(V), [Rb(C₁₂H₂₄O₆)][SbCl₆], (1), and its isomorphous caesium {(1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane)caesium hexachloridoantimonate(V), [Cs(C₁₂H₂₄O₆)][SbCl₆]}, (2), and ammonium {ammonium hexachloridoantimonate(V)–1,4,7,10,13,16‐hexaoxacyclooctadecane (1/1), (NH₄)[SbCl₆]·C₁₂H₂₄O₆}, (3), analogues, the hexachloridoantimonate(V) anions and 18‐crown‐6 molecules reside across axes passing through the Sb atoms and the centroids of the 18‐crown‐6 groups, both of which coincide with centres of inversion. The Rb⁺ [in (1)], Cs⁺ [in (2)] and NH₄⁺ [in (3)] cations are situated inside the cavity of the 18‐crown‐6 ring; they are situated on axes and are equally disordered about centres of inversion, deviating from the centroid of the 18‐crown‐6 molecule by 0.4808 (13), 0.9344 (7) and 0.515 (8) Å, respectively. Interaction of the ammonium cation and the 18‐crown‐6 group is supported by three equivalent hydrogen bonds [N...O = 2.928 (3) Å and N—H...O = 162°]. The centrosymmetric structure of [Cs(18‐crown‐6)]⁺, with the large Cs⁺ cation approaching the centre of the ligand cavity, is unprecedented and accompanied by unusually short Cs—O bonds [2.939 (2) and 3.091 (2) Å]. For all three compounds, the [M(18‐crown‐6)]⁺ cations and [SbCl₆]⁻ anions afford linear stacks along the c axis, with the cationic complexes embedded between pairs of inversion‐related anions.     

The heats of formation of some protonated olefinic carbonyl compounds: [C5H9O]+ and [C4H7O2]+ ions

The proton transfer equilibrium reactions involving 3-penten-2-one, 3-methyl-3-buten-2-one, crotonic acid and methacrylic acid were carried out in an ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) spectrometer. The semiempirical method MNDO, used to estimate the heats of formation for 14 protonated [C₅H₉O]⁺ and [C₄H₇O₂]⁺ ions and the energetic aspect of the fragmentations of metastable [C₆H₁₂O]^+. and [C₆H₁₂O₂]^+. ions, leads to the conclusion that the ions corresponding to protonation at the carbonyl oxygen are the most stable. Thus the experimentally determined heats of formation of protonated olefinic carbonyl compounds can be attributed to the following structures: [CH₃COHCHCHCH₃]⁺ (δH_f = 490 KJ mol^?1), [CH₃COHC(CH₃)CH₂]⁺ (δH_f = 502 KJ mol^?1), [HOCOHCHCHCH₃]⁺ (δH_f = 330 KJ mol^?1) and [HOCOHC(CH₃)CH₂]⁺ (δH_f = 336 KJ mol^?1).     

Na6(H2O)20(V10O28)·4H2O,a novel polyvanadate(V) with a three‐dimensional framework

The novel title polyvanadate(V), poly[[octa‐μ‐aqua‐dodecaaqua‐μ₄‐octacosaoxidodecavanadato‐hexasodium] tetrahydrate], [Na₆(H₂O)₂₀(V₁₀O₂₈)·4H₂O]_n, contains [V₁₀O₂₈]⁶⁻ anions which lie about inversion centres and have approximate 2/m symmetry and which are linked to [Na₃(H₂O)₁₀]³⁺ cations through two terminal and two μ₂‐bridging O atoms. The structure contains three inequivalent Na⁺ cations, two of which form [Na₂(H₂O)₈]_n chains, which are linked via NaO₆ octahedra involving the third Na⁺ ion, thus forming a three‐dimensional framework.     

Pentazol‐Derivate und daraus entstehende Azide: [O3S—p‐C6H4—N5]— und [O3S—p‐C6H4—N3]— als Kalium‐Kronenether‐Salze

Pentazole Derivates and Azides Formed from them: Potassium‐Crown‐Ether Salts of [O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₅]^— and [O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃]^{— —}O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₂⁺ was reacted with sodium azide at —50 °C in methanol, yielding a mixture of 4‐pentazolylbenzenesulfonate and 4‐azidobenzenesulfonate (amount‐of‐substance ratio 27:73 according to NMR). By addition of KOH in methanol at —50 °C a mixture of the potassium salts K[O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₅] and K[O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃] was precipitated (ratio 60:40). A solution of this mixture along with 18‐crown‐6 in tetrahydrofurane yielded the crystalline pentazole derivate [THF‐K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₅]·THF by addition of petrol ether at —70 °C. From the same solution upon evaporation and redissolution in THF/petrol ether the crystalline azide [THF‐K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃]·THF was obtained. A solution of the latter in chloroform/toluene under air yielded [K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃]·1/3H₂O. According to their X‐ray crystal structure determinations [THF‐K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₅]·THF and [THF‐K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃]·THF have the same kind of crystal packing. Differences worth mentioning exist only for the atomic positions of the pentazole ring as compared to the azido group and for one THF molecule which is coordinated to the potassium ion; different orientations of the THF molecule take account for the different space requirements of the N₅ and the N₃ group. In [K‐18‐crown‐6][O₃S—p‐C₆H₄—N₃]·1/3H₂O there exists one unit consisting of one [K‐18‐crown‐6]⁺ and one [O₃S‐C₆H₄—N₃]^— ion and another unit consisting of two [O₃S‐C₆H₄—N₃]^— ions joined via two [K‐18‐crown‐6]⁺ ions and one water molecule. The rate constants for the decomposition [O₃S‐C₆H₄—N₅]^— → [O₃S‐C₆H₄—N₃]^— + N₂ in methanol were determined at 0 °C and —20 °C.     

Characterization of isomeric [CH5P]+˙ and [C2H7P]+˙ radical cations and some [C2H6P]+ phosphonium ions in the gas phase by their collisional activation spectra

Collisional activation spectra were used to characterize isomeric ion structures for [CH₅P]^+˙ and [C₂H₇P]^+˙ radical cations and [C₂H₆P]⁺ even-electron ions. Apart from ionized methylphosphane, [CH₃PH₂]^+˙, ions of structure [CH₂PH₃]^+˙ appear to be stable in the gas phase. Among the isomeric [C₂H₇P]^+˙ ions stable ion structures [CH₂PH₂CH₃]^+˙ and [CH₂CH₂PH₃]^+˙/[CH₃CHPH₃]^+˙ are proposed as being generated by appropriate dissociative ionization reactions of alkyl phosphanes. At least three isomeric [C₂H₆]⁺ ions appear to exist, of which \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} - \mathop {\rm P}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H = CH}_{\rm 2} $\end{document} could be identified positively.     

Structure and formation of gaseous [C4H6O]+˙ ions: 1—The enolic ions [CH2C(OH)?CHCH2]+˙ and [CH2CH?CHCH(OH)]+˙ and their relationship with their keto counterparts

The [C₄H₆O]^+˙ ion of structure [CH₂?CHCH?CHOH]^+˙ (a) is generated by loss of C₄H₈ from ionized 6,6-dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol. The heat of formation ΔH_f of [CH₂?CHCH?CHOH]^+˙ was estimated to be 736 kJ mol^?1. The isomeric ion [CH₂?C(OH)CH?CH₂]^+˙ (b) was shown to have ΔH_f, ? 761 kJ mol^?1, 54 kJ mol^?1 less than that of its keto analogue [CH₃COCH?CH₂]^+˙. Ion [CH₂?C(OH)CH?CH₂]^+˙ may be generated by loss of C₂H₄ from ionized hex-1-en-3-one or by loss of C₄H₈ from ionized 4,4-dimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-ol. The [C₄H₆O]^+˙ ion generated by loss of C₂H₄ from ionized 2-cyclohexen-1-ol was shown to consist of a mixture of the above enol ions by comparing the metastable ion and collisional activation mass spectra of [CH₂?CHCH?CHOH]^+˙ and [CH₂?C(OH)CH?CH₂]^+˙ ions with that of the above daughter ion. It is further concluded that prior to their major fragmentations by loss of CH₃˙ and CO, [CH₂?CHCH?CHOH]⁺˙ and [CH₂?C(OH)CH?CH₂]^+˙ do not rearrange to their keto counterparts. The metastable ion and collisional activation characteristics of the isomeric allenic [C₄H₆O]^+˙ ion [CH₂?C?CHCH₂OH]^+˙ are also reported.     

Charge stripping mass spectra: A method for identifying isomeric [C5H8]+˙ and [C3H6]+˙ ions

Charge stripping (collisional ionization) mass spectra are reported for isomeric [C₅H₈]⁺˙ and [C₃H₆]⁺˙ ions. The results provide the first method for adequately quantitatively determining the structures and abundances of these species when they are generated as daughter ions. Thus, loss of H₂O from the molecular ions of cyclopentanol and pentanal is shown to produce mixtures of ionized penta-1,3- and -1,4-dienes. Pent-1-en-3-ol generates [penta-1,3-diene]⁺˙. [C₃H₆]⁺˙ ions from ionized butane, methylpropane and 2-methylpropan-1-ol are shown to have the [propene]⁺˙ structure, whereas [cyclopropane]⁺˙ is produced from ionized tetrahydrofuran, penta-1,3-diene and pent-1-yne.     

Crystal Structure of the B‐type Dierbium Oxide ortho‐Oxosilicate Er2O[SiO4]

The crystal structure of B‐type Er₂O[SiO₄] has been determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. It crystallizes with the (Mn,Fe)₂[PO₄]F type structure in the monoclinic space group C2/c (a = 14.366(2), b = 6.6976(6), c = 10.3633(16) Å, ß = 122.219(10)°, Z = 8) and shows anionic tetrahedral [SiO₄]^4– units and non‐silicon‐bonded O^2– anions in distorted [OEr₄]¹⁰⁺ tetrahedra. The [(Er1)O₆₊₁] and [(Er2)O₆] polyhedra form infinite chains which are connected by common edges.     

[TMPA]4[Si8O20] · 34 H2O and [DDBO]4[Si8O20] · 32 H2O are heteronetwork clathrates with 1,1,4,4-tetramethylpiperazinium (TMPA) and 1,4-dimethyl-1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DDBO) guest cations

[TMPA]₄[Si₈O₂₀] · 34 H₂O ( 1 ) and [DDBO]₄[Si₈O₂₀] · 32 H₂O ( 2 ) have been prepared by crystallization from aqueous solutions of the respective quaternary alkylammonium hydroxide and SiO₂. The crystal structures have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. 1 : Monoclinic, a = 16.056(2), b = 22.086(6), c = 22.701(2) Å, β = 90.57(1)° (T = 210 K), space group C2/c, Z = 4. 2 : Monoclinic, a = 14.828(9), b = 20.201(7), c = 15.519(5) Å, β = 124.13(4)° (T = 255 K), space group P2₁/c, Z = 2. The polyhydrates are structurally related host-guest compounds with three-dimensional host frameworks composed of oligomeric [Si₈O₂₀]^8? anions and H₂O molecules which are linked via hydrogen bonds. The silicate anions possess a cube-shaped double four-ring structure and a characteristic local environment formed by 24 H₂O molecules and six cations (TMPA, [C₈H₂₀N₂]²⁺, or DDBO, [C₈H₁₈N₂]²⁺). The cations themselves reside as guest species in large, irregular, cage-like voids. Studies employing ²⁹Si NMR spectroscopy and the trimethylsilylation method have revealed that the saturated aqueous solutions of 1 and 2 contain high proportions of double four-ring silicate anions. Such anions are also abundant species in the saturated solution of the heteronetwork clathrate [DMPI]₆[Si₈O₁₈(OH)₂] · 48.5 H₂O ( 3 ) with 1,1-dimethylpiperidinium (DMPI, [C₇H₁₆N]⁺) guest cations.     

Structure and mechanism of fragmentation of [C2H5O]+

The decomposition reactions of [C₂H₅O]⁺ ions produced by dissociative electron-impact ionization of 2-propanol have been studied, using ¹³C and deuterium labeling coupled with metastable intensity studies. In addition, the fragmentation reactions following protonation of appropriately labeled acetaldehydes and ethylene oxides with [H₃]⁺ or [D₃]⁺ have been investigated. In both studies particular attention has been paid to the reactions leading to [CHO]⁺, [C₂H₃]⁺ and [H₃O]⁺. In both the electron-impact-induced reactions and the chemical ionization systems the fragmentation of [C₂H₅O]⁺ to both [H₃O]⁺ and [C₂H₃]⁺ proceeds by a single mechanism. For each case the reaction involves a mechanism in which the hydrogen originally bonded to oxygen is retained in the oxygen containing fragment while the four hydrogens originally bonded to carbon become indistinguishable. The fragmentation of [C₂H₅O]⁺ to produce [CHO]⁺ proceeds by a number of mechanisms. The lowest energy route involves complete retention of the α carbon and hydrogen while a higher energy route proceeds by a mechanism in which the carbons and the attached hydrogens become indistinguishable. A third distinct mechanism, observed in the electron-impact spectra only, proceeds with retention of the hydroxylic hydrogen in the product ion. Detailed fragmentation mechanisms are proposed to explain the results. It is suggested that the [C₂H₅O]⁺ ions formed by protonation of acetaldehyde or ionization of 2-propanol are produced initially with the structure [CH₃CH?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm O}\limits^ + $\end{document}H] (a), but isomerize to [CH₂?CH? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm O}\limits^ + $\end{document}H₂] (e) prior to decomposition to [C₂H₃]⁺ or [H₃O]⁺. The results indicate that the isomerization a → e does not proceed directly, possibly because it is symmetry forbidden, but by two consecutive [1,2] hydrogen shifts. A more general study of the electron-impact mass spectrum of 2-propanol has been made and the fragmentation reactions proceeding from the molecular ion have been identified.     

The potential energy surface for the [C2H2O]+˙ system: The ketene radical cation [CH2CO]+˙ and its isomers

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations with large, polarization basis sets and incorporating valence electron correlation have been employed to examine the [C₂H₂O]^+˙ potential energy surface. Four [C₂H₂O]^+˙ isomers have been identified as potentially stable, observable ions. These are the experimentally well-known ketene radical cation, [CH₂?C?O]^+˙ (a), and the presently unknown ethynol radical cation, [CH₂?C? OH]^+˙ (b), the oxirene radical cation (c) and an ion resembling a complex of CO with [CH₂]^+˙, (d). The calculated energies of b, c and d relative to a are 189, 257 and 259 kJ mol^?1, respectively. Dissociation of ions a and d is found to occur without reverse activation energy.     

(Et4N)4[V4O12]·2H2O

The title compound, tetrakis(tetraethylammonium) cyclo‐tetra‐μ‐oxo‐tetrakis[dioxovanadium(V)] dihydrate, (C₈H₂₀N)₄[V₄O₁₂]·2H₂O, was obtained by reacting V₂O₅ with (C₂H₅)₄NOH. It consists of a discrete centrosymmetric molecular anion, [V₄O₁₂]^4?, where four tetrahedral VO₄ units share two vertices with each other to form a ring. A water mol­ecule is attached on each side of the ring through hydrogen bonds.