Elucidating the structures of isomeric silylenium ions (SiC3H 9 + , SiC4H 11 + , SiC5H 13 + ) by using specific ion/molecule reactions

Specific ion/molecule reactions are demonstrated that distinguish the structures of the following isomeric organosilylenium ions: Si(CH₃) ₃ ⁺ and SiH(CH₃)(C₂H₅)⁺; Si(CH₃)₂(C₂H₅)⁺ and SiH(C₂H₅) ₂ ⁺ ; and Si(CH₃)₂(i?C₃H₇)⁺, Si(CH₃)₂(n?C₃H₇)⁺, Si(CH₃)(C₂H₅) ₂ ⁺ , and Si(CH₃)₃(π?C₂H₄)⁺. Both methanol and isotopically labeled ethene yield structure-specific reactions with these ions. Methanol reacts with alkylsilylenium ions by competitive elimination of a corresponding alkane or dehydrogenation and yields a methoxysilylenium ion. Isotopically labeled ethene reacts specifically with alkylsilylenium ions containing a two-carbon or larger alkyl substituent by displacement of the corresponding olefin and yields an ethylsilylenium ion. Methanol reactions were found to be efficient for all systems, whereas isotopically labeled ethene reaction efficiencies were quite variable, with dialkylsilylenium ions reacting rapidly and trialkylsilylenium ions reacting much more slowly. Mechanisms for these reactions and differences in the kinetics are discussed.     

A photoionization study of the ion-neutral complexes CH3CH +CH 3 · CH2CH3] and CH3CH2CH+CH 3 · CH3 in the gas phase: Formation,H-transfer and C—C bond formation between partners,and channeling of energy into dissociation

Photoionization mass spectrometry was used to investigate the dynamics of ion-neutral complex-mediated dissociations of the n-pentane ion (1). Reinterpretation of previous data demonstrates that a fraction of ions 1 isomerizes to the 2-methylbutane ion (2) through the complex CH₃CH⁺CH ₃ ^· CH₂CH₃ (3), but not through CH₃CH⁺CH₂CH ₃ ^· CH₃ (4). The appearance energy for C₃Hin ₇ ⁺ formation from 1 is 66 kJ mol^?1 below that expected for the formation of n-C₃H ₇ ⁺ and just above that expected for formation of i-C₃H ₇ ⁺ . This demonstrates that the H shift that isomerizes C₃H ₇ ⁺ is synchronized with bond cleavage at the threshold for dissociation to that product. It is suggested that ions that contain n-alkyl chains generally dissociate directly to more stable rearranged carbenium ions. Ethane elimination from 3 is estimated to be about seven times more frequent than is C-C bond formation between the partners in that complex to form 2, which demonstrates a substantial preference in 3 for H abstraction over C-C bond formation. In 1 → CH₃CH⁺CH₂CH₃ + CH₃ by direct cleavage of the C1–C2 bond, the fragments part rapidly enough to prevent any reaction between them. However, 1 → 2 → 4 → C4H ₈ ⁺ + CH₄ occurs in this same energy range. Thus some of the potential energy made available by the isomerization of n-C₄H₉ in 1 is specifically channeled into the coordinate for dissociation. In contrast, analogous formation of 3 by 1 → 3 is predominantly followed by reaction between the electrostatically bound partners.     

Gas phase hydrogen/deuterium exchange reactions of fluorophenyl anions

Hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions of fluorophenyl and difluorophenyl anions (C₆H₄F^?, o-C₆H₃F ₂ ^? , m-C₆H₃F ₂ ^? , p-C₆H₃F ₂ ^? ) have been studied using the flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube technique. The C₆H₄F^? anion exchanges all hydrogens for deuterium upon reaction with D₂O. The difluorophenyl anions o-, m-, and p-C₆H₃F ₂ ^? exchange three, two, and one hydrogen, respectively, with D₂O, whereas they undergo one, two, and three H/D exchanges, respectively, with CH₃OD. The structures of the anions and the isotope exchange dynamics within the intermediate ion-dipole complexes are discussed using ab initio molecular orbital calculations. Calculated values for the proton affinities of the most stable anions are 385.2, 378.0, 371.9, and 378.2 kcal/mol for C₆H₄F^?, o-C₆H₃F ₂ ^? , m-C₆H₃F ₂ ^? , and p-C₆H₃F ₂ ^? , respectively, in excellent agreement (within 2 kcal/mol) with the previous experimental values for the acidities of the corresponding fluorobenzenes. The H/D exchange results are explained by the energy differences of the intermediate DO^? and CH₃O^? species within the ion-dipole complexes; CH₃O^? is mobile within the “hot” intermediate complex, whereas DO^? is nearly “frozen” within the complex and cannot migrate across the barriers caused by the fluorine atoms or by the π electrons.     

Reactions of small carbon cluster ions with HCN: a structural probe

The results of a detailed study of the primary and secondary reactions of carbon cluster ions, C _n ⁺ (3≤n≤20), with HCN are presented and discussed. The experiments were performed in a Fourier transform (ICR) mass spectrometer, using direct laser vaporization of graphite to form the carbon cluster ions. Evidence for two structural forms of then=7, 8 and 9 cluster ions is obtained from their differing reactivity with HCN. The C ₇ ⁺ ion is anomalous in its behavior in many respects, which is interpreted by an isomerization mechanism. The HCN reactions offer a contrast to the reactions with nonpolar neutrals studied previously. All HCN reactions produced ions of the type C_nX⁺ (primary product) or C_nXY⁺ (secondary product) where X, Y=H, CN or HCN. Fragmentation of the original carbon cluster was not observed, while radiative association is an important reaction channel. Low-energy collision-induced dissociation studies of the product ions support the mechanism of insertion into the H-CN bond and formation of covalent bonds at the carbene site for the primary reactions. In most secondary reactions however, the HCN associates weakly with the ion, rather than binding covalently.     

Isomerization of linear C3H 3 + in its reaction with acetylene,and collisional stabilization of the [C5H 5 + ]* collision complex in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer

The isomerization of linear C₃H ₃ ⁺ in its reaction with acetylene to cyclic C₃H ₃ ⁺ was studied with a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The reaction of linear C₃H ₃ ⁺ with ¹³C₂H₂ shows that isomerization takes place via a [C₅H ₅ ⁺ ]^* activated complex that is unstable relative to disproportionation back into the cyclic and linear forms of C₃H ₃ ⁺ and acetylene. The formation of carbon-13 labeled cyclic and linear C,Hi indicates that isomerization involves skeletal exchange. Collisional stabilization of the [C₅H ₅ ⁺ ]^* collision complex was achieved at a helium pressure of approximately 1 mtorr.     

Investigation of the initial reactions of the Calcote mechanism for soot formation

The first three reactions of the Calcote mechanism for soot formation, that is, C₃H ₃ ⁺ +C₂H₂→C₅H ₅ ⁺ , C₅H ₅ ⁺ →C₅H ₃ ⁺ H₂, and C₅H ₃ ⁺ +C₂H₂→C₇H ₅ ⁺ , have been studied based on chemi-ions withdrawn directly from a premixed methane-oxygen flame by supersonic molecular beam sampling. The first reaction is reversible and involves the formation of a specific encounter complex sensitive to pressure and ion kinetic energy. The second reaction appears to require large amounts of internal energy in the C₅H ₅ ⁺ ion to proceed. The third reaction is reversible; however, in contrast to the initiating reaction, the C₅H ₃ ⁺ ion formed from the [C₇H ₅ ⁺ ]* complex exhibits a much lower reactivity. The conclusions are based on ion-molecule reactions as well as collision activation mass spectrometry of isolated chemi-ions. In addition, the product distributions as functions of pressure and ion kinetic energy were studied.     

Reactivity of positively charged cobalt cluster ions with CH4, N2, H2, C2H4, and C2H2

Reactivity of positively charged cobalt cluster ions (Co _n ⁺ ,n=2?22), produce by laser vaporization, with various gas samples (CH₄, N₂, H₂, C₂H₄, and C₂H₂) were systematically investigated by using a fast-flow reactor. The reactivity of Co _n ⁺ with the various gas samples is qualitatively consistent with the adsorption rate of the gas to cobalt metal surfaces. Co _n ⁺ highly reacts with C₂H₂ as characterized by the adsorption rate to metal surfaces, and it indicates no size dependence. In contrast, the reactions of Co _n ⁺ with the other gas samples indicate a similar cluster size dependence; atn=4, 5, and 10?15, Co _n ⁺ highly reacts. The difference can be explained by the amount of the activation energy for chemisorption reaction. Compared with neutral cobalt clusters, the size dependence is almost similar except for Co ₄ ⁺ and Co ₅ ⁺ . The reactivity enhancement of Co ₄ ⁺ and Co ₅ ⁺ indicates that the cobalt cluster ions are presumed to have an active site for chemisorption atn=4 and 5, induced by the influence of positive charge.     

Methyl propionate radical cation

Examination of the reactions of the long-lived (>0.5-s) radical cations of CD₃CH₂COOCH₃ and CH₃CH₂COOCD₃ indicates that the long-lived, nondecomposing methyl propionate radical cation CH₃CH₂C(O)OCH ₃ ^+· isomerizes to its enol form CH₃CH=C(OH)OCH ₃ ^+· (ΔH _{isomerization} ? ?32 kcal/mol) via two different pathways in the gas phase in a Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. A 1,4-shift of a β-hydrogen of the acid moiety to the carbonyl oxygen yields the distonic ion ^·CH₂CH₂C⁺ (OH)OCH₃ that then rearranges to CH₃CH=C(OH)OCH ₃ ^+· probably by consecutive 1,5- and 1,4-hydrogen shifts. This process is in competition with a 1,4-hydrogen transfer from the alcohol moiety to form another distonic ion, CH₃CH₂C⁺(OH)OCH ₂ ^· , that can undergo a 1,4-hydrogen shift to form CH₃CH=C(OH)OCH ₃ ^+· . Ab initio molecular orbital calculations carried out at the UMP2/6-31G** + ZPVE level of theory show that the two distonic ions lie more than 16 kcal/mol lower in energy than CH₃CH₂C(O)OCH ₃ ^+· . Hence, the first step of both rearrangement processes has a great driving force. The 1,4-hydrogen shift that involves the acid moiety is 3 kcal/mol more exothermic (ΔH _{isomerization}=?16 kcal/mol) and is associated with a 4-kcal/mol lower barrier (10 kcal/mol) than the shift that involves the alcohol moiety. Indeed, experimental findings suggest that the hydrogen shift from the acid moiety is likely to be the favored channel.     

Gas-phase C-F bond cleavage in perfluorohexane using W-, Si-, P-, Br-, and I-containing ions: Comparisons with reactions at fluorocarbon surfaces

Gas-phase reactions of W-, Si-, P-, Br-, and I-containing ions with the target molecule perfluorohexane at low collision energies (<15 eV) parallel known ion/surface reactions of the same projectile ions at fluorinated self-assembled monolayer surfaces. Charge exchange, dissociative charge exchange, and fluorine atom abstraction are observed and the majority of the projectile ions also undergo reactive charge exchange to produce specific fluorocarbon fragment ions of the target molecule in distinctive relative abundances. Abstraction of up to five fluorine atoms is observed upon collision of W⁺ with gaseous perfluorohexane, while similar experiments with CI⁺, SiCl⁺, and PCl^+· show abstraction of one or two fluorine atoms. Other projectiles, including Si^+·, PCl ₂ ⁺ , Br⁺, CBr⁺, and I⁺, abstract only a single fluorine atom. These patterns of fluorine atom abstraction are similar to those observed in ion/surface collisions. Also paralleling the ion/surface reactions, halogen exchange (Cl-for-F) reactions occur between the Cl-containing projectile ions and perfluorohexane to produce C₆F₁₂Cl⁺, a product of chemical modification of the target. Collisions of PCl^+· and PCl ₂ ⁺ also result in production of C₆F ₁₂ ^+· , indicating that the corresponding surface modification reaction involving molecular defluorination should be sought. Implications for previously proposed mechanisms, new ion/surface reactions, and for the use of gas-phase studies to guide investigations of the ion/surface reactions are discussed.     

Electron ionization induced metastable decompositions of isomeric trimethylsilylmethanol, (CH3)3SiCH2OH, and methoxytrimethylsilane, (CH3)3SiOCH3

The metastable decompositions of trimethylsilylmethanol, (CH₃)₃SiCH₂OH (MW: 104, 1) and methoxytrimethylsilane, (CH₃)₃SiOCH₃ (MW: 104, 2) upon electron ionization have been investigated by use of mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectroscopy and D labeling. The metastable ions of 1 ^·+ decompose to give the fragment ions m/z 89 (CH ₃ ^· loss) and 73 (^·CH₂OH loss), whereas those of 2 ^·+ only yield the fragment ion m/z 89 (CH ₃ ^· loss). The latter fragment ion is generated by loss of a methyl radical from the trimethylsilyl group via a simple cleavage reaction as shown by D labeling. However, the fragment ions m/z 89 and 73 from 1 ^·+ are generated following an almost statistical exchange of the original methyl and methylene hydrogen atoms in the molecular ion as shown also by D labeling. This exchange indicates a complex rearrangement of the molecular ion of 1 ^·+ prior to metastable decomposition for which as key step a 1,2-trimethylsilyl group migration from carbon to oxygen is suggested. A different behavior is also found between the source-generated m/z 89 ions from 1 ^·+ which decompose in the metastable time region to give ions m/z 61 by loss of ethylene and those from 2 ^·+ which decompose in the metastable region to yield ions m/z 59 by elimination of formaldehyde.     

Surface-Induced dissociation from a liquid surface

Mass-selected projectile ions in the tens of electronvolt energy range undergo surface-induced dissociation upon collision with a liquid perfluorinated polyether (PFPE) surface. The efficiency of translational-to-vibrational (T-V) energy transfer is similar to that observed for a fluorinated self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surface. The thermometer ion W(CO)^’ was used to detenrrine an average T-V conversion efficiency of 18% in the collision energy range of 30–50 eV. The surface can be bombarded for several hours without displaying any change in the scattered ion products. Ion-surface reactions occur with some projectiles and are analogous to those seen with the fluorinated SAM surface. For example, WF _? ⁺ (m=1–5) and W(CO)_nF _? ⁺ (n=1–2, m=1–2) are generated upon collisions of W(CO) ₆ ⁺ with the PFPE liquid surface. The ion-surface reactions observed suggest that F atoms and/or CF₃ groups are accessible for reaction while the oxygen atoms lie below the outermost surface layer. Chemical sputtering of the liquid surface also occurs and yields common fluorocarbon fragment ions, including CF ₃ ⁺ , C₂F ₅ ⁺ , and C₃F ₇ ⁺ and the oxygenated product CFO⁺. The liquid surface is remarkably free of hydrocarbon impurities. Collisions of the pyrazine and benzene molecular ions, both probes for hydrocarbon impurities, resulted in very little protonated pyrazine or protonated benzene.     

Electronic structures and stabilities of GeC n and Ge2C n in Hückel theory

Some recent results about Ge _p C _n ⁺ ions (p=1, 2;n < 6) produced in laser microprobe mass analyser experiments (LAMMA) show very marked alternations in the emission intensities I(Ge _p C _n ⁺ ) as a function of then andp parities. I(Ge _p C _n ⁺ ) are maxima for evenn. Thus, intensity maxima occur when the total atom numberm of the aggregates is odd for GeC _n ⁺ (m=n+1) and even for Ge₂C _n ⁺ (m=n+2). As a result, GeC _n ⁺ ions seem to behave as C _m ⁺ ions, whereas the behaviour of Ge₂C _n ⁺ ions is quite similar to that of Ge _p ⁺ ions formed in SIMS or vaporization experiments on pure germanium. It is well known (correspondence rule) that the parity effect in the emissions corresponds to alternations in the ion stabilities. These results are analysed from a model built in Hückel approximation with hybridization. Forp=1, the clusters are assumed to be insp hybridization as for C _m ⁺ ions, hence with linear shapes, and forp=2, they would rather be insp ² orsp ³ hybridization as for Ge _p ⁺ ions. Relative stabilities and distributions of the energy levels of the aggregates are then calculated. The relative stabilities given for Ge _p C _n ⁺ by this model show maxima for evenn as in experiments, and we have thus a good agreement between our calculation results and the experimental data. Moreover, we found that Ge₂C _n ⁺ would rather be insp ³ hybridization, that is under three dimensional shapes.     

Kinetic energy release of clusters after multiphoton ionisation with time of flight and electrostatic analyser techniques

A new technique is presented which allows direct observation of initial kinetic energies in multiphoton ionisation-fragmentation processes of molecules and clusters and provides an unambiguous determination of metastable decay channels. Results are presented for the unimolecular loss of a monomer from clusters (C₆H₆) ₈ ⁺ to (C₆H₆) ₁₂ ⁺ and for the reaction C₆H ₆ ⁺ →C₄H ₄ ⁺ +C₂H₂. We also observe a significant amount of probably collision induced fragmentation processes (C₆H₆) _n ⁺ →(C₆H₆) _n?x ⁺ + (C₆H₆) _x withx much larger than 1.     

FTMS studies of sputtered metal cluster ions (IV): size-selective effects in the chemistry of Fe n + with NH3 and Pd n + with D2 or C2H4

Fe _n ⁺ and Pd _n ⁺ clusters up ton=19 andn=25, respectively, are produced in an external ion source by sputtering of the respective metal foils with Xe⁺ primary ions at 20 keV. They are transferred to the ICR cell of a home-built Fourier transform mass spectrometer, where they are thermalized to nearly room temperature and stored for several tens of seconds. During this time, their reactions with a gas leaked in at low level are studied. Thus in the presence of ammonia, most Fe _n ⁺ clusters react by simply adsorbing intact NH₃ molecules. Only Fe ₄ ⁺ ions show dehydrogenation/adsorption to Fe₄(NH) _m ⁺ intermediates (m=1, 2) that in a complex scheme go on adsorbing complete NH₃ units. To clarify the reaction scheme, one has to isolate each species in the ion cell, which often requires the ejection of ions very close in mass. This led to the development of a special isolation technique that avoids the use of isotopically pure metal samples. Pd _n ⁺ cluster ions (n=2...9) dehydrogenate C₂H₄ in general to yield Pd _n (C₂H₂)⁺, yet Pd ₆ ⁺ appear totally unreactive. Towards D₂, Pd ₇ ⁺ ions seem inert, whereas Pd ₈ ⁺ adsorb up to two molecules.     

Coincidence studies of collisionally induced fission of C 60 2+

A direct measurement of collisionally induced fission of C ₆₀ ²⁺ has been performed. We have measured coincidences between various charged fragments resulting from collisions between C ₆₀ ²⁺ and He atoms. The measurements show that C ₆₀ ²⁺ not only emits C₂ units but also breaks up into larger, singly charged parts. In this paper, we report on coincidences between C _n ⁺ (2≦n≦9) and C _m ⁺ (42≦m≦48) fragment ions.     

Interpretation of experimental Mössbauer quadrupole splittings of iron pentacyanide complexes using molecular orbital theory

Semiempirical self-consistent-field molecular-orbital calculations are carried out for six iron-pentacyanide complexes and are used to interpret their experimental Mössbauer quadrupole splittings. Probable orientations are identified for the C₆H ₅ ^? and NO ₂ ^? groups in Fe(CN)₅NOC₆H ₅ ^?3 and Fe(CN)₅NO ₂ ^?4 . Calculations on Fe(CN)₅NO^?2 and Fe(CN)₅NO^?3 can simultaneously be brought into agreement with experiment by reparametrization to make the NO group more positively charged. All the calculations indicate the importance of including all the Fe 3d and 4p orbitals in the calculations and of considering neighboring-atom effects.     

Comparison of high- and low-energy collision-induced dissociation tandem mass spectrometry in the analysis of glycoalkaloids and their aglycons

Four aglycons (tomatidine, demissidine, solanidine, and solasodine) and three glycoalkaloids (α-tomatine, α-chaconine, and α-solanine) have been analyzed by positive ion liquid secondary ion high-energy and low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) tandem mass Spectrometry, performed on a four-sector (EBEB) and a hybrid (EBQQ) instrument, respectively. Both high- and low-energy collision-induced dissociation mass spectra of [M+H]⁺ ions of these compounds provided structural information that aided the characterization of the different aglycons and of the carbohydrate sequence and linkage sites in the glycoalkaloids. Low-energy CID favors charge-driven fragmentation of the aglycon rings, whilst high-energy CID spectra are more complex and contain additional ions that appear to result from charge-remote fragmentations, multiple cleavages, or complex charge-driven rearrangements. With respect to the structural characterization of the carbohydrate part, low-energy CID fragmentations of sugar residues in the glycoalkaloids generate Y _n ⁺ ions and some low intensity Z _n ⁺ ions; the high-energy spectra also exhibit strong ^1,5X _n ⁺ ions, formed by multiple cleavage of the sugar ring, and significant Z _n ⁺ ions.     

Ab initio calculation of the vertical excitation energies of small helium cluster ions

Quantum chemical ab initio calculations have been performed for the vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths of all low-lying electronically excited states of small helium cluster ions, He _n ⁺ ,n=2, ..., 7. The geometrical structures of the ions were fixed at the equilibrium geometries of the respective ground states, for He ₄ ⁺ and He ₅ ⁺ also one alternative structure was considered. The low-lying excited states can be classified into two categories: the electronic transition can occur either within the central He ₂ ⁺ or He ₃ ⁺ unit or from the peripheral weakly bound He atoms to this unit. The latter transitions are very weak (f≈0.001), closely spaced, with vertical excitation energies of about 5.7 eV. The He ₂ ⁺ and He ₃ ⁺ units have strong transitions at 9.93 and 5.55 eV, respectively; these transitions are only slightly blue-shifted if He ₂ ⁺ or He ₃ ⁺ are placed as “chromophores” into the centre of a larger He _n ⁺ cluster. The large difference in the vertical excitation energy of the strong transition should enable an experimental decision of the question whether the cluster ions have He ₂ ⁺ or He ₃ ⁺ cores.     

Towards understanding the stability of the H*4 (C3v ) cluster

As a first attempt to study the stability of the H*₄ (C_3v ) cluster we have used the MRD-CI method and a medium size basis set to calculate various sections of the potential energy surfaces of its ground and first excited states. We show that these correlate to the (X ¹Σ _g ¹ X ¹Σ _g ⁺ ) and (X ¹Σ _g ⁺ B ¹Σ _u ⁺ ) states of the two H₂ constituents respectively. Finally, we report on the calculation of the diabatic matrix elements of the vibronic interaction in the region of the avoided crossing which is crucial to the stability of H ₄ ⁺ .     

Collision-induced dissociation evidence for charge separation and “ball-and-chain” propagation in the addition of 1-butene to C 60 2+

The collision-induced dissociation of the adduct ions C₆₀(C₄H₈) ₂ ²⁺ and C₆₀(C₄H₈) ₃ ²⁺ formed by sequential reactions of C ₆₀ ²⁺ with 1-butene has been investigated by using a selected-ion flow tube (SIFT) apparatus. Experiments at 295 ± 2 K in 0.35 ± 0.02 torr of helium indicated that C ₆₀ ²⁺ adds at least five molecules of 1-butene in a sequential fashion with rates that decrease with the number of molecules added. Collision-induced dissociation experiments in which the downstream sampling nose cone of the SIFT was biased with respect to the flow tube indicated that the adduct ions C₆₀(C₄H₈) ₂ ²⁺ and C₆₀(C₄H₈) ₃ ²⁺ dissociate into C ₆₀ ^·+ and (C₄H₈) ₂ ^·+ and (C₄H₈) ₃ ^·+ , respectively. These observations provide evidence for the occurrence of charge separation in the derivatization of C₆₀ dications and support the “ball-and-chain” mechanism first proposed by Wang et al. in 1992 for the sequential multiple addition of 1,3-butadiene to C ₆₀ ²⁺ and C ₇₀ ²⁺ .