Host‐Guest Complexes of [TriPip222], the Piperazine Analogue of [2.2.2]: Prediction of Ion Selectivity by Quantum Chemical Calculations VIII[#]

The selectivity of the cryptand [TriPip222], a per‐aza analogue of cryptand [2.2.2], in which each of the linking arms contains a piperazine ring for the endohedral complexation of metal cations of the I, II, and III main groups and group 12 of the periodic table of elements, was predicted on the basis of DFT [B3LYP/LANL2DZp (LANL2DZp = LANL2DZ augmented with polarization functions on non‐hydrogen atoms)] calculated structures and complex‐formation energies. The cavity size of the studied cryptand is similar to that of [bpy.bpy.bpy], [2.bpy.bpy] and [2.phen.phen], such that the complexation of K⁺ > Na⁺ and of Sr²⁺ ≈ Ca²⁺ > Ba²⁺ are most favorable. The essential flexibility for achieving the selectivity of the cryptand is mainly associated with a twist of the CH₂–N_bridgehead ··· N_bridgehead–CH₂ angle and not with the piperazine moiety.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Cationic Low‐Valent Gallium Complexes of Cryptand[2.2.2]

The synthesis and characterization of two bimetallic, cationic low‐valent gallium–cryptand[2.2.2] complexes is reported. The reaction of cryptand[2.2.2] with Ga₂Cl₄ gave two different cations, [Ga₃Cl₄(crypt‐222)]⁺ ( 1 ) or [Ga₂Cl₂(crypt‐222)]²⁺ ( 2 ), depending on whether or not trimethylsilyl triflate (Me₃SiOTf) was added as a co‐reagent. Complexes 1 and 2 are the first examples of bimetallic cryptand[2.2.2] complexes, as well as the first low‐valent gallium–cryptand[2.2.2] complexes. Computational methods were used to evaluate the bonding in the gallium cores.     

Ion–molecule reaction in the gas phase 3—nucleophilic substitution of 17ξ-R-5α,14β-androstane-14,17ξ-diols under [NH4]+ chemical ionization conditions1

Under Ammonia chemical Ionization conditions the source decompositions of [M + NH₄]⁺ ions formed from epimeric tertiary steroid alchols 14 OH_β, 17OH_α or 17 OH_β substituted at position 17 have been studied. They give rise to formation of [M + NH₄? H₂O]⁺ dentoed as [MH_sH]⁺, [M_sH? H₂O]⁺, [M_sH? NH₃]⁺ and [M_sH? NH₃? H₂O]⁺ ions. Stereochemical effects are observed in the ratios [M_sH? H₂O]⁺/[M_sH? NH₃]⁺. These effects are significant among metastable ions. In particular, only the [M_sH]⁺ ions produced from trans-diol isomers lose a water molecule. The favoured loss of water can be accounted for by an S_N2 mechanism in which the insertion of NH₃ gives [M_sH]⁺ with Walden inversion occurring during the ion-molecule reaction between [M + NH₄]⁺ + NH₃. The S_N1 and S_Ni pathways have been rejected.     

First Principles Investigation of Noncovalent Complexation: A [2.2.2]‐Cryptand Ion‐Binding Selectivity Study

A first principles methodology, aimed at understanding the roles of molecular conformation and energetics in host–guest binding interactions, is developed and tested on a system that pushes the practical limits of ab initio methods. The binding behavior between the [2.2.2]‐cryptand host (4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diaza‐bicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) and alkali metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) in gas, water, methanol, and acetonitrile is characterized. Hartree–Fock and density functional theory methods are used in concert with crystallographic information to identify gas phase, energy‐minimized conformations. Gas phase free energies of binding, with vibrational contributions, are compared to solution‐state binding constants through relative binding selectivity analysis. Calculated relative binding free energies qualitatively correlated with solution state experiments only after gas phase metal desolvation is considered. The B3LYP exchange–correlation functional improves theoretical correlations with experimental relative binding free energies. The relevance of gas phase calculations towards understanding binding in condensed phases is discussed. Natural bond orbital methods highlights previously unidentified intramolecular and intermolecular M⁺(222) chemistries, such as an intramolecular n′_O→σ*_CH hydrogen bond.     

Theoretical Study of the Substituent Effects on the Nonlinear Optical Properties of a Room‐Temperature‐Stable Organic Electride

Excess‐electron compounds can be considered as novel candidates for nonlinear optical (NLO) materials because of their large static first hyperpolarizabilities (β₀). A room‐temperature‐stable, excess‐electron compound, that is, the organic electride Na@(TriPip222), was successfully synthesized by the Dye group (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2005 , 127, 12416). In this work, the β₀ of this electride was first evaluated to be 1.13×10⁶ au, which revealed its potential as a high‐performance NLO material. In particular, the substituent effects of different substituents on the structure, electride character, and NLO response of this electride were systemically studied for the first time by density functional theory calculations. The results revealed that the β₀ of Na@(TriPip222) could be further increased to 8.30×10⁶ au by introducing a fluoro substituent, whereas its NLO response completely disappeared if one nitryl group was introduced because the nitro‐group substitution deprived the material of its electride identity. Moreover, herein the dependence of the NLO properties on the number of substituents and their relative positions was also detected in multifluoro‐substituted Na@(TriPip222) compounds.     

New 2-methylenepropylene-bridged cryptands with high sodium ion selectivity: A thermodynamic study of complexation

Thermodynamic quantities for the interactions of mono- and tri(2-methylenepropylene)-bridged cryptands, cryptand [3.3.1], cryptand [2.2.2], and 18-crown-6-with Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺ have been determined by calorimetric titration in an 80:20 (v/v) methanol: water solution at 25°C. Incorporation of the 2-methylenepropylene (–CH₂C(=CH₂)CH₂–) bridge(s) into cryptand [2.2.2] results in a large change in the ligand-cation binding properties. Tri(2-methylenepropylene)-bridged cryptand [2.2.2] (2) shows high selectivity factors for Na⁺ over K⁺ and other alkali cations, while 2-methylenepropylene-bridged cryptand [2.2.2.] (1) selects K⁺ over Na⁺, as does cryptand [2.2.2]. The K⁺/Na⁺ selectivity is reversed with increasing number of 2-methylenepropylene bridges. This observation indicates that increasing the number of 2-methylenepropylene bridges on cryptand [2.2.2] favors complexation of a small cation over a large one. The logK values for the formation of 1 and 2 complexes (except 1-Cs⁺ and 2-Na⁺) decrease as compared with those for the corresponding [2.2.2] complexes. Formation of six-membered chelate ring(s) by the propyleneoxy unit(s) of 1 and 2 with a cation stabilizes the cryptate complexes of the small Na⁺ and destabilizes the complexes of large alkali metal cations. Thermodynamic data indicate that the stabilities of the cryptate complexes studied are dominated mostly by the enthalpy change. In most cases, both stabilization of Na⁺ complexes and destabilization of the complexes of large alkali metal cations by six-membered chelate ring(s) also result from an enthalpic effect. Cryptand [3.3.1] shows a selectivity for K⁺ over Cs⁺, despite its two long CH₂(CH₂OCH₂)₃CH₂ bridges. The [3.1] macroring portion of [3.3.1]may be too small to effectively bind the Cs⁺, resulting in the low stability of the Cs⁺ complex.     

Properties and Applications of Cryptand‐22 Surfactant for Ion Transport and Ion Extraction

A non‐ionic cryptand‐22 surfactant consisting of a macrocyclic cryptand‐22 polar head and a long paraffinic chain (C₁₀H₂₁‐Cryptand‐22) was synthesized and characterized. The critical micellar concentration (CMC) of the cryptand surfactant in ROH/H₂O mixed solvent was determined by the pyrene fluorescence probe method. In general, the cmc of the cryptand surfactant increased upon decreasing the polarity of the surfactant solution. The cryptand surfactant also can behave as a pseudo cationic surfactant by protonation of cryptand‐22 or complexation with metal ions. Effects of protonation and metal ions on the cmc of the cryptand surfactant were investigated. A preliminary application of the cryptand surfactant as an ion‐transport carrier for metal ions, e.g., Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺ and Sr²⁺, through an organic liquid‐membrane was studied. The transport ability of the cryptand surfactant for these metal ions was in the order: K⁺ ≥ Na⁺ < Li⁺ < Sr²⁺. A comparison of the ion‐transport ability of the cryptand surfactant with other macrocyclic polyethers, e.g., dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6, 18‐crown‐6 and benzo‐15‐crown‐5, was studied and discussed. Among these macrocyclic polyethers, the cryptand surfactant was the best ion‐transport carrier for Na⁺, Li⁺ and Sr²⁺ ions. Furthermore, a foam extraction system using the cryptand surfactant to extract the cupric ion was also investigated.     

Fine Control of the Redox Reactivity of a Nonheme Iron(III)–Peroxo Complex by Binding Redox‐Inactive Metal Ions

Redox‐inactive metal ions are one of the most important co‐factors involved in dioxygen activation and formation reactions by metalloenzymes. In this study, we have shown that the logarithm of the rate constants of electron‐transfer and C−H bond activation reactions by nonheme iron(III)–peroxo complexes binding redox‐inactive metal ions, [(TMC)Fe^III(O₂)]⁺‐M^{n +} (M^{n +}=Sc³⁺, Y³⁺, Lu³⁺, and La³⁺), increases linearly with the increase of the Lewis acidity of the redox‐inactive metal ions (ΔE ), which is determined from the g_zz values of EPR spectra of O₂^.−‐M^{n +} complexes. In contrast, the logarithm of the rate constants of the [(TMC)Fe^III(O₂)]⁺‐M^{n +} complexes in nucleophilic reactions with aldehydes decreases linearly as the ΔE value increases. Thus, the Lewis acidity of the redox‐inactive metal ions bound to the mononuclear nonheme iron(III)–peroxo complex modulates the reactivity of the [(TMC)Fe^III(O₂)]⁺‐M^{n +} complexes in electron‐transfer, electrophilic, and nucleophilic reactions.     

A Cryptate Reference Electrode for Ionic Liquids

The cryptate electrode (Ag/Ag⁺222), prepared by immersing silver wire in a solution of silver(I) salt and the cryptand 222 (4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) in ionic liquids have been studied. The potential of the electrode is stabilized by the equilibrium of the Ag⁺ ion complexation by the cryptand, similarly to the potential stabilization by the ionic product of slightly soluble salts, used in aqueous electrodes of the second kind. The Ag/Ag⁺222 cryptate electrode (concentration of the cryptate was much higher than the silver(I) cation concentration, [222]>[Ag⁺]) may be used as a reference electrode in room temperature ionic liquids. The potential of the Ag/Ag⁺222 electrode is less sensitive to the presence of impurities, such as halides or water, in comparison to the Ag/Ag⁺ electrode. After anodic or cathodic polarization, the potential of the Ag/Ag⁺222 electrode comes back to the initial open circuit potential quickly. Preparation of the Ag/Ag⁺222 reference electrode is very easy: a silver wire is immersed in a solution of Ag⁺ salt and cryptand 222 (both available commercially) in the ionic liquid under study.     

Cation transport at 25°c from binary Na+Mn+, Cs+Mn+ and Sr2+Mn+ nitrate mixtures in a H2OCHCl3H2O liquid membrane system containing a series of macrocyclic carriers

Cation fluxes from binary mixtures of either Na⁺, Cs⁺ or Sr²⁺ with other alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, and Pb²⁺ through a H₂OCHCl³H₂O bulk liquid membrane system containing one of several macrocyclic carriers have been determined Nitrate salts were used in all cases. The most selective transport of Na⁺ over all other cations studied was found with the carrier cryptand [2.2.1]. Selective transport of Na⁺ relative to Li⁺, Cs⁺ and the alkaline earth cations was found with cryptand [2.2.2B] and cryptand [2.2.2D]. The ligands 21-crown-7 and dibenzo-24-crown-8 showed selective transport of Cs⁺ over the second cation in all cases. Several macrocycles showed selectivity for Sr²⁺ over the second cation with the macrocycle 1,10-diaza-18-crown-6 showing the highest selectivity for this cation of all ligands studied. Relative fluxes from binary cation mixtures are rationalized in terms of macrocycle cavity size, donor atom type and ring substituents.     

碱金属碘化物与冠醚或穴醚的配合物中I3-和I-的氧化还原行为及其在染料敏化纳米薄膜太阳电池中的应用研究

本文利用超微铂电极和循环伏安法研究了在碱金属碘化物与冠醚或穴醚配合物的3-甲氧基丙腈(MePN)溶液中I₃^-和I^-的氧化还原行为。发现I₃^-和I^-在其中的表观扩散系数与阳离子有关，且I₃^-的表观扩散系数符合以下规律：1,2-二甲基-3-丙基咪唑阳离子(DMPI⁺)> [Na(¯¯15-C-5]⁺ > [K(¯¯18-C-6]⁺ > [Na(¯¯2.2.1-cryptand]⁺，I^-的表观扩散系数则为：[Na(¯¯2.2.1-cryptand]⁺> [Na(¯¯15-C-5]⁺ ≈[K(¯¯18-C-6]⁺> DMPI⁺。比较了由上述配合物和1,2-二甲基-3-丙基咪唑碘(DMPII)组成的染料敏化纳米薄膜太阳电池(DSC)的光伏性能，结果表明由上述配合物组成的DSC，其短路电流略高于DMPII，填充因子略低于DMPII，这与I^-和I₃^-在其中的表观扩散系数的大小是相一致的。此外，电解质溶液中的溶剂对DSC的光电转换效率也有较大影响，以MePN为溶剂，含DMPII的DSC的光电转换效率要高于[K(¯¯18-C-6]I，而以乙腈为溶剂，两者的光电转换效率并没有明显的差别。     

On the Volume Chemistry of Solid Compounds: the Legacy of Wilhelm Biltz

For the calculation of the atomic or ionic volumes the Quantum Theory of Atoms In Molecules method was applied. The regions (basins) around the nuclei confined by the zero‐flux surfaces in the electron density gradient are called QTAIM atoms. They are non‐overlapping and completely fill the space. The volume of the basins gives volumes of atoms or ions. The integration of the electron density within the volumina yields effective charges, defining neutral or ionic character of the given QTAIM species. Present investigations refer to metal hydrides, metal nitrides and to intermetallic compounds of the system Al‐Pt. A linear relation between the ionic volumina of hydrogen or nitrogen established according to QTAIM and after Biltz has been found with (homodesmic) binary metal hydrides and binary metal nitrides, but has been observed merely as a trend with stronger deviations for heterodesmic compounds, such as ternary hydrido‐ and nitridometallates A_a[M_mX_x] (A – alkali or alkaline earth metal, M – transition metal and X – H or N). The deviation from linearity for heterodesmic compounds is caused by the different kinds of chemical bonds being present within the [M_mX_x] anions on the one hand and between the anions and the cations on the other hand reflected by the calculated volumes and the QTAIM charges of M and X components. Concerning the intermetallic compounds of the system Al‐Pt, the quantum chemical calculations reveal negative charges for the platinum atoms and positive ones for the aluminium atoms in accordance with their electronegativities. Introducing the variation of the atomic volume with the composition extends the Vegard's approach and gives a non‐linear slope for the concentration dependence of mean atomic volume which explains qualitatively the experimental results.     

Triiodide Ion‐Selective Electrode Based on Charge‐Transfer Complex of 4,7,13,16,21,24‐Hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo‐[8.8.8]hexacosane

Two new highly selective triiodide electrodes have been prepared using charge‐transfer complex of iodine with cryptand 222 as an electroactive ionophore and nitrophenyl octyl ether as a plasticizing agent. The electrodes showed Nernstian response to triiodide ions over a concentration range from 1.0 × 10^?;2 — 7.9 × 10^?;7 M and from 1.0 × 10^?;2 — 1 × 10^?;6 M with detection limits of 6.3 × 10^?;7 and 7.9 × 10^?;7 M for cryptand and its charge‐transfer complex with iodine, respectively. The response times (t_95%) of the sensors were 10 and 5 s. The membrane could be used for more than 1 month without any divergence in potentials. The proposed sensors exhibited very high selectivity for triiodide ion over other anions, and could be used in a wide pH range ?2–10. These electrodes were successfully applied as an indicator electrode in potentiometric titration of copper in ore samples.     

On the Structure of [K(crypt‐222)]+

Due to disorder, [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ ( 1 ) is crystallographically indistinguishable from its isomer, a 1:1 fluoroform clathrate of deprotonated [K(crypt‐222)]⁺, [K(crypt‐222{‐H⁺})]·CHF₃ ( 2 ). In our preceding publications, 1 was characterized on the basis of combined X‐ray diffraction, NMR, reactivity, labeling, acid‐base, and DFT studies. Herein we report that neither incorporation of deuterium nor any other transformation of [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ is observed in the presence of CD₃OD/CD₃OK at 70 °C or CD₃S(O)CD₂K/(D₆)DMSO at 23 °C over hours and even days. Since fluoroform is easily and quickly deprotonated under such conditions, the demonstrated greater acidity of CHF₃ relative to [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ provides additional evidence in favor of 1 and against 2 . Likewise, crystal packing analysis and DFT calculations support 1 , which has now been refined in the ultimately correct space group R32. Our previously drawn conclusions regarding [K(crypt‐222)]⁺ and the existence of a ‘naked’ trifluoromethyl anion in a condensed phase remain valid. The recent alternative refinement (Becker and Müller, Chem. Eur. J. 2017 , 23, 7081 – 7086) of our raw diffraction data has been improperly performed in the wrong space group to yield a non‐charge‐balanced model [K(crypt‐222)]⁺·CHF₃, which is hereby repudiated. Becker and Müller's attempts to resolve the charge balance issue have produced models that are inadequate from the perspective of both crystallography and chemistry.     

Bifunctional Ion‐Selective Electrode Based on C60‐Cryptand 22 for Silver and Iodine Ions

Fullerence C60‐cryptand 22 was prepared and successfully applied as the electric carrier in the PVC electrode membrane of a bifunctional ion‐selective electrode for cations, e.g., Ag⁺ ions as well as anions, e.g., I^? ions. The bifunctional ion‐selective electrode based on C60‐cryptand 22 can be applied as a Silver (Ag⁺) ion selective electrode with an internal electrode solution of 10^?3 M AgNO₃ in water (pH = 6.3), or as an Iodide (I^?) ion selective electrode with an acidic internal electrode solution of 10^?4 M KI_(aq) (pH = 2) in which the cryptand 22 is protonated, and the C60‐cryptand 22 is changed to C60‐Cryptand22–H⁺ and becomes an anionic electro‐carrier to absorb the I^? ion. The Ag⁺ ion selective electrode based on C60‐cryptand 22 gave a linear response with a near‐Nernstian slope (59.5 mV decade^?1) within the concentration range 10^?1‐10^?3 M Ag⁺_(aq). The Ag⁺ ion electrode exhibited comparatively good selectivity for silver ions, over other transition‐metal ions, alkali and alkaline earth metal ions. The Ag⁺ ion selective electrode with good stability and reproducibility was successfully used for the titration of Ag⁺_(aq) with Cl^? ions. The Iodide (I^?) Ion selective electrode based on protonated C60–cryptand22‐H⁺ also showed a linear response with a nearly Nernstian slope (58.5 mV decade^?1) within 10^?1 ‐ 10^?3 M I^? _(aq) and exhibited good selectivity for I^? ions and had small selectivity coefficients (10^?2–10^?3) for most of other anions, e.g., F^? , OH^?, CH₃COO^?, SO₄^2?, CO₃^2?, CrO₄^2?, Cr₂O₇^2? and PO₄^3? ions.     

Characterization of aerosol nitroaromatic compounds: Validation of an experimental method

The analytical capabilities associated with the use of silylation reactions have been extended to a new class of organic molecules, nitroaromatic compounds (NACs). These compounds are a possible contributor to urban particulate matter of secondary origin which would make them important analytes due to their (1) detrimental health effects, (2) potential to affect aerosol optical properties, and (3) and usefulness for identifying PM_2.5 from biomass burning. The technique is based on derivatization of the parent NACs by using N,O‐bis‐(trimethylsilyl)‐trifluoro acetamide, one of the most prevalent derivatization reagent for analyzing hydroxylated molecules, followed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry using electron ionization (EI) and methane chemical ionization (CI). This method is evaluated for 32 NACs including nitrophenols, methyl‐/methoxy‐nitrophenols, nitrobenzoic acids, and nitrobenzyl alcohols. Electron ionization spectra were characterized by a high abundance of ions corresponding to [M⁺] or [M⁺ − 15]. Chemical ionization spectra exhibited high abundance for [M⁺ + 1], [M⁺ − 15], and [M⁺ + 29] ions. Both EI and CI spectra exhibit ions specific to nitro group(s) for [M⁺ − 31], [M⁺ − 45], and [M⁺ − 60]. The strong abundance observed for [M⁺] (EI), [M⁺ − 15] (EI/CI), or [M⁺ + 1] (CI) ions is consistent with the high charge stabilizing ability associated with aromatic compounds. The combination of EI and CI ionization offers strong capabilities for detection and identification of NACs. Spectra associated with NACs, containing hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen atoms only, as silylated derivatives show fragment/adduct ions at either (a) odd or (b) even masses that indicate either (a) odd or (b) even number of nitro groups, respectively. Mass spectra associated with silylated NACs exhibited 3 distinct regions where characteristic fragmentation with a specific pattern associated with (1) ─OH and/or ─COOH groups, (2) ─NO₂ group(s), and (3) benzene ring(s). These findings were confirmed with applications to chamber aerosol and ambient PM_2.5.     

A Highly Copper‐Selective Ratiometric Fluorescent Sensor Based on BODIPY

A new ratiometric fluorescent sensor ( 1 ) for Cu²⁺ based on 4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene (BODIPY) with di(2‐picolyl)amine (DPA) as ion recognition subunit has been synthesized and investigated in this work. The binding abilities of 1 towards different metal ions such as alkali and alkaline earth metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) and other metal ions ( Ba²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ag⁺) have been examined by UV‐vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. 1 displays high selectivity for Cu²⁺ among all test metal ions and a ～10‐fold fluorescence enhancement in I₅₈₂/I₅₅₈ upon excitation at visible excitation wavelength. The binding mode of 1 and Cu²⁺ is a 1:1 stoichiometry determined via studies of Job plot, the nonlinear fitting of the fluorometric titration and ESI mass.     

Metastable transitions in the mass spectra of ketals and ketones. Competition between loss of small and large radicals

An investigation of competing metastable transitions in the mass spectra of ethylene ketals R_SR_LC(OCH₂)₂ (where R_L is a larger n-alkyl group than R_S) has established that in most cases R_S is lost with a lower activation energy than R_L. This technique has also been applied to ketones R_SR_LC?O, to show again that R_S is usually lost with the lower activation energy (thus supporting earlier data based on relative daughter ion abundances at the threshold). In the classes of compounds so far investigated, although [M⁺ ? R_S] ions are formed with lower activation energies than [M⁺ ? R_L] ions, the ion yield of [M⁺ ? R_S] ions is anomalously low from ions of high internal energy. Factors which may influence the [M⁺ ? R_S]/[M⁺ ? R_L] ratio of daughter ion intensities are examined. It is suggested that at the threshold [M⁺ ? R_S] and [M⁺ ? R_L] ions may be formed with rearrangement, or from an electronic state that cannot be effectively populated from molecular ions of high internal energies.     

Free energies and entropies of transfer from water to methanol of cations complexed by 18-crown-6

Free energies and entropies of transfer from water to methanol have been obtained for [M⁺18C6] complexes, where M⁺ = Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺, and Ag⁺. The variation of ΔG_t° and ΔS_t° with the central metal cation is smaller than with the [M⁺222] complexes and it is concluded that 18-crown-6 shields the metal cation from the solvent more effectively than crystal structure determinations would suggest.     

Investigation of the formation of M 2 + -molecular ions in sputtering processes

The formation process of M₂⁺ molecular ions sputtered from elementary target materials is investigated. In a previous article it was shown that these molecules can be used to quantitate major elements [1]. The quantitation method was based on the assumption that the M₂⁺ molecular ions are formed by the atomic combination of independently sputtered M and M ⁺ particles above the surface. In this paper this assumption will be investigated using a Monte Carlo model to simulate the formation mechanism. The model is used to calculate the velocity distribution of the M₂⁺ dimers sputtered from three different elementary target materials (Fe, Ge, and Ni). The results are compared with experimental data. Good agreement exists between theory and experiment that supports the Monte Carlo model and hence also the assumed formation mechanism.