Structures and mutual transformations of isomers of germylium ions (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)H<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ge<Superscript>+</Superscript> and (CH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>HGe<Superscript>+</Superscript> and their silicon analogs

The potential energy surfaces of the (CH₃)_nH_3?n M⁺ ions, where n = 1, 2; M = Si, Ge, were scanned using the B3LYP method with 6–31G* and aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets. The major attention was given to isomeric species having the form of complexes of the HM⁺ and CH₃M⁺ ions with hydrogen, methane, and ethane molecules. These species were characterized previously neither by experimental nor by theoretical methods. It was found that these species become more stable in going from Si to Ge; the complex [CH₃Ge⁺CH₄] is the second isomer in the energy after (CH₃)₂HGe⁺. However, the heights of the activation barriers to formation of these complexes from the most stable isomer, though decreasing in going from Si to Ge, remain relatively high and, what is particularly important, somewhat exceed the activation barrier to formation of the complex [H₃Ge⁺·C₂H₄].     

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.     

On the distinct reactivity of two isomers of [IrC4H2]+ toward methane and water

The gas-phase reactions of [IrC₄H₂]⁺ with methane and water have been explored by using mass spectrometry combined with quantum chemical calculations. Interestingly, under the employed conditions, two isomers of [IrC₄H₂]⁺ co-exist with different reactivity. One of them only activates methane while the other is solely reactive with water to produce CO. Apparently, upon varying the coordination patterns, the Ir center gains rather distinct capabilities of mediating the bond breaking and making processes. The reactivity toward methane mainly depends on the orbital orientation, while the π-aromaticity of the reaction complex matters for the conversion of water. The experimental and theoretical findings in this work do not only imply the promising role the Ir atom can play in the bulk-system methane conversion, but may also be instructive on how to construct a high-performance center for steam reforming of methane.

     

Formation and fragmentation of gas-phase ion-molecule complexes of transition-metal ions with organic molecules containing two functional groups

A mass spectrometer fast atom bombardment source has been used to synthesize, in the gas phase, the ion-molecule complexes of transition-metal ions (Ni⁺, CO⁺, Fe⁺, and Mn⁺) with α- or β-unsaturated alkenenitriles, RCH=CHCN (R=H, CH₃, and C₂H₅) and CH₃CH=CHCH₂CN, and 2-methyl glutaronitrile. The metastable ion fragmentations of the complexes are monitored in the first held-free region by B/E linked scans. Surprisingly, an intense HCN loss via an intermediate (C _n H_2n ?2)?M⁺?(HCN) is observed for the complexes of the alkenenitriles. The metal ions significantly affect the fragmentation processes. The coexistence of both end-on and side-on coordination modes is suggested to explain the fragmentations.     

Methane Activation by Diatomic Molybdenum Carbide Cations

Metal carbide species have been proposed as a new type of chemical entity to activate methane in both gas‐phase and condensed‐phase studies. Herein, methane activation by the diatomic cation MoC⁺ is presented. MoC⁺ ions have been prepared and mass‐selected by a quadrupole mass filter and then allowed to interact with methane in a hexapole reaction cell. The reactant and product ions have been detected by a reflectron time‐of‐flight mass spectrometer. Bare metal Mo⁺ and MoC₂H₂⁺ ions have been observed as products, suggesting the occurrence of ethylene elimination and dehydrogenation reactions. The branching ratio of the C₂H₄ elimination channel is much larger than that of the dehydrogenation channel. Density functional theory calculations have been performed to explore in detail the mechanism of the reaction of MoC⁺ with CH₄. The computed results indicate that the ethylene elimination process involves the occurrence of spin conversions in the C?C coupling (doublet→quartet) and hydrogen atom transfer (quartet→sextet) steps. The carbon atom in MoC⁺ plays a key role in methane activation because it becomes sp³ hybridized in the initial stages of the ethylene elimination reaction, which leads to much lower energy barriers and more stable intermediates. This study provides insights into the C?H bond activation and C?C coupling involved in methane transformation over molybdenum carbide‐based catalysts.     

Massenaufgelöste Übergangssignale der Ionen C3H5O+ und C4H7O+

Abundance ratios of C₂H₄ and CO loss (CH₄ and O loss) in the field-free region of a mass spectrometer have been determined by mass resolution of metastable peaks. Using the method ofShannon andMcLafferty the abundance ratios have been applied to characterize the structure of metastable ions. C₃H₅O⁺ ions from 10 compounds and C₄H₇O⁺ ions from 14 compounds have been examined. In the case of C₃H₅O⁺, three types of structurally different isomers are present. C₄H₇O⁺ ions represent a not equilibrating mixture of different. structures in some cases. From examination of 2-pentanone-1,1,1,3,3-d ₅, metastable C₄H₇O⁺ ions from 2-pentanone have been shown to consist of two structurally distinct types of ions which are assumed to be $$\begin{array}{*{20}c} {CH_2 - O^ + } \\ {\begin{array}{*{20}c} | & {||} \\ \end{array} } \\ {CH_2 - C - CH_3 } \\ \end{array}$$ and butyryl ion.     

Structure and fragmentations of [C3H7S]+ ions

The principal fragmentation reactions of metastable [C₃H₇S]⁺ ions are loss of H₂S and C₂H₄. These reactions and the preceding isomerizations of [C₃H₇S]⁺ ions with six different initial structures were studied by means of labelling with ¹³C or D. From the results it is concluded that the loss of H₂S and C₂H₄ both occur at least mainly from ions with the structure [CH₃CH₂CH? SH]⁺ or from ions with the same carbon sulfur skeleton, with the exception of the ions with the initial structure [CH₃CH₂S? CH₂]⁺, which partly lose C₂H₄ without a preceding isomerization. For all ions, more than one reaction route leads to [CH₃CH₂CH?SH]⁺. It is concluded that the loss of H₂S is at least mainly a 1,3-elimination from the [CH₃CH₂CH?SH]⁺ ions. Both decomposition reactions are preceded by extensive but incomplete hydrogen exchange.     

Thermal activation of methane and ethene by bare MO·+ (M=Ge, Sn, and Pb): a combined theoretical/experimental study

The thermal ion/molecule reactions (IMRs) of the Group 14 metal oxide radical cations MO ^{. +} (M=Ge, Sn, Pb) with methane and ethene were investigated. For the MO ^{. +}/CH₄ couples abstraction of a hydrogen atom to form MOH⁺ and a methyl radical constitutes the sole channel. The nearly barrier‐free process, combined with a large exothermicity as revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, suggests a fast and efficient reaction in agreement with the experiment. For the IMR of MO ^{. +} with ethene, two competitive channels exist: hydrogen‐atom abstraction (HAA) from and oxygen‐atom transfer (OAT) to the organic substrate. The HAA channel, yielding C₂H₃ ^. and MOH⁺ predominates for the GeO ^{. +}/ethene system, while for SnO ^{. +} and PbO ^{. +} the major reaction observed corresponds to the OAT producing M⁺ and C₂H₄O. The DFT‐derived potential‐energy surfaces are consistent with the experimental findings. The behavior of the metal oxide cations towards ethene can be explained in terms of the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of MO⁺? H and M⁺? O, which define the hydrogen‐atom affinity of MO⁺ and the oxophilicity of M⁺, respectively. Since the differences among the BDEs(MO⁺? H) are rather small and the hydrogen‐atom affinities of the three radical cations MO ^{. +} exceed the BDE(CH₃? H) and BDE(C₂H₃? H), hydrogen‐atom abstraction is possible thermochemically. In contrast, the BDEs(M⁺? O) vary quite substantially; consequently, the OAT channel becomes energetically less favorable for GeO ^{. +} which exhibits the highest oxophilicity among these three group 14 metal ions.     

A Correlation of the Chemistry with the Polymerization Rate in an rf Discharge of Methane

In a 150-V methane discharge, the rate of polymerization is approximately 3 times greater on the electrodes than on the walls. The sum of the C₁ and C₂ ions is 2 to 3 times higher in the dark space adjacent to the electrodes than in the space adjacent to the walls. Ethylene and acetylene are present in about equal amounts in all regions of the discharge. It is concluded that the ions C₂H₃ ⁺, C₂H₂ ⁺, CH₃ ⁺CH₈ ⁺, and CH⁺ have the greatest influence on the rate of polymerization, while the neutrals CH₄, C₂H₂, C₂H₄, and C₂H₆ have the least influence.     

Mechanism of Ethylene Migratory Insertion and Dimerization Catalyzed by δ‐Alkyl Platinum Complexes–A DFT Study

The mechanism of ethylene insertion reactions catalyzed by cationic δ‐alkyl platinum complexes has been studied at the B3LYP level of density functional theory. The initial steps of the reactions proceed via the coordination of ethylene to the reactants L₂Pt(II)R⁺, where L₂=none, (NH₃)₂, (CHNH)₂; R=H, CH₃, C₂H₅ in which ethylene coordinates strongly to the complexes PtCH⁺₃ and PtC₂H⁺₅ (coordination energies (CE) are 296.52 and 229.28 kJ/mol, respectively), while nitrogen‐containing ligands decrease the energies: Pt(NH₃)₂CH⁺₃ (CE: 180.04 kJ/mol), Pt(NH₃)₂C₂H⁺₅ (CE: 97.86 kJ/mol), Pt(CHNH)₂CH⁺₃ (CE : 176.31 kJ/mol) and Pt(CHNH)₂C₂H⁺₅ (CE: 91.00 kJ/mol). Moreover, ethylene insertion into the Pt‐alkyl bond, which is the rate‐determining step, is endothermic with barrier heights for L₂PtCH₃(C₂H₄)⁺ decreasing in the order: PtCH⁺₃ (164.18 kJ/mol)>(NH₃)₂ PtCH⁺₃ (129.95 kJ/mol)>(CHNH)₂ PtCH⁺₃ (115.27 kJ/mol), which has the same tendency for the ethyl case. The insertion product will continually undergo β‐hydride elimination, which is exothermic. On the other hand, the effects of solvent (dichloromethane, THF and benzene) are investigated with PCM method, but the inclusion of the effects in the computations only slightly affects the results. Beside that, a complete catalytic cycle for ethylene dimerization is studied in detail and the calculations agree well with known energetic and recognized tendencies.     

Cation transport at 25°c from binary Tl+Mn+ and K+Mn+ nitrate mixtures in a H2OCHCl3H2O liquid membrane system containing a series of macrocyclic polyether carriers

Carrier-mediated cation fluxes were determined using a H₂OCHC1₃H₂O liquid merebrane system for TlNO₃ and for binary mixtures of either TlNO₃ or KNO₃ with alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, and Pb²⁺ (in the case of TlNO₃). Both macrocyclic polyether and cryptand ligands were used as carriers. In Tl⁺Mⁿ⁺ mixtures, selective transport of Tl⁺ was found over all cations studied, except in the cases of Ag⁺ by 2.2 and of Pb²⁺ by 18C6, DC18C6, ClDKP18C6, and 2.2. Generally, K⁺ was transported selectively from K⁺Mⁿ⁺ mixtures, except in the cases of K⁺Tl⁺ mixtures in which Tl⁺ was transported selectively in all cases. A model relating cation flux to log K(CH₃OH) for Mⁿ⁺—macrocycle interaction and to ion-partitioning between the organic and aqueous phases was successful in rationalizing selective cation transport in most of the systems studied.     

The reaction of allene with β-diketonatoiridium(I) complexes: synthesis,properties and crystal structures of bis(η3-allyllic) complexes of iridium(III) and of iridocyclopentane derivatives

Allene reacts with compounds of the type (β-diketonato)Ir(η-C₈H₁₄)₂| (I) to give iridium(III) derivatives of formula (β-diketonato)IrC₁₂H₁₆ (II) in which an allene tetramer i.e. the 2,3,6,7-tetramethyleneoctane-1,8-diyl group, is bonded to the iridium atom by two η₃-allylic groups. The molecular structures of these complexes were deduced by ¹H NMR studies and by single-crystal X-ray analysis of (hfacac)IrC₁₂H₁₆ (IIb). The reactions of the complexes II with hydrogen and with CO are described.The reaction of (acac)Ir(η-C₈H₁₄)₂ with allene, at -78°C, gives a thermally unstable compound of probable stoichiometry (acac)Ir(C₃H₄)₄ (VI). Its low-temperature IR spectrum and its reaction with bromine indicate that VI contains two η²-bonded allene molecules and teh 3,4-dimethyleneiridocyclopentane moiety. VI reacts with pyridine with loss of an allene molecule to give an iridium(III) derivative of formula (acac)Ir(C₆H₈)(C₃H₄)py (IX). Complex IX was shown by single-crystal X-ray analysis to contain the 3,4-dimethyleneiridocyclopentane moiety and one η²-bonded allene molecule.The role of irido cycles as precursors of the bis(allylic) complexes II is discussed.     

Chemical ionization of phenyl n-propyl ether and methyl substituted analogs: Propene loss initiated by competing proton transfer to the oxygen atom and the aromatic ring

The mechanism of propene loss from protonated phenyl n-propyl ether and a series of mono-, di-, and trimethylphenyl n-propyl ethers has been examined by chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrometry in combination with tandem mass spectrometry experiments. The role of initial proton transfer to the oxygen atom and the aromatic ring, respectively, has been probed with the use of deuterated CI reagents, D₂O, CD₃OD, and CD₃CN (given in order of increasing proton affinity), in combination with deuterium labeling of the β position of the n-propyl group or the phenyl ring. The metastable [M + D]⁺ ions of phenyl n-propyl ether—formed with D₂O as the CI reagent—eliminate C₃H₅D and C₃H₆ in a ratio of 10:90, which indicates that the added deuteron is incorporated to a minor extent in the expelled neutral species. In the experiments with CD₃OD as the CI reagent, the ratio between the losses of C₃H₅D and C₃H₆ from the metastable [M + D]⁺ ions of phenyl n-propyl ether is 18:82, whereas the ratio becomes 27:73 with CD₃CN as the reagent. A similar trend in the tendency to expel a propene molecule that contains the added deuteron is observed for the metastable [M + D]⁺ ions of phenyl n-propyl ether labeled at the β position of the alkyl group. Incorporation of a hydrogen atom that originates from the aromatic ring in the expelled propene molecule is of negligible importance as revealed by the minor loss of C₃H₅D from the metastable [M + H]⁺ ions of C₆D₅OCH₂CH₂CH₃ irrespective of whether H₂O, CH₃OH, or CH₃CN is the CI reagent. The combined results for the [M + D]⁺ ions of phenyl n-propyl ether and deuterium-labeled analogs are suggested to be in line with a model that assumes that propene loss occurs not only from species formed by deuteron transfer to the oxygen atom, but also from ions generated by deuteron transfer to the ring. This is substantiated by the results for the methyl-substituted ethers, which reveal that the position as well as the number of methyl groups bonded to the ring exert a marked effect on the relative importances of the losses of C₃H₅D and C₃H₆ from the metastable [M + D]⁺ ions of the unlabeled methyl-substituted species.     

Loss of methyl from [H2CC(OH)?CH3]+˙ ions prepared by electron impact ionization of unstable 2-hydroxypropene

Unstable 2-hydroxpropene was prepared by retro-Diels-Alder decomposition of 5-exo-methyl-5-norbornenol at 800°C/2 × 10^?6 Torr. The ionization energy of 2-hydroxypropene was measured as 8.67±0.05 eV. Formation of [C₂H₃O]⁺ and [CH₃]⁺ ions originating from different parts of the parent ion was examined by means of ¹³C and deuterium labelling. Threshold-energy [H₂C?C(OH)? CH₃]^+˙ ions decompose to CH₃CO⁺+CH₃^˙ with appearance energy AE(CH₃CO⁺) = 11.03 ± 0.03 eV. Higher energy ions also form CH₂?C?OH⁺ + CH₃ with appearance energy AE(CH₂?C?OH⁺) = 12.2–12.3 eV. The fragmentation competes with hydrogen migration between C(1) and C(3) in the parent ion. [C₂H₃O]⁺ ions containing the original methyl group and [CH₃]⁺ ions incorporating the former methylene and the hydroxyl hydrogen atom are formed preferentially, compared with their corresponding counterparts. This behaviour is due to rate-determining isomerization [H₂C?C(OH)? CH₃]^+˙ →[CH₃COCH₃]^+˙, followed by asymmetrical fragmentation of the latter ions. Effects of internal energy and isotope substitution are discussed.     

Ion—molecule reactions of CH+3 with acetonitrile at thermal translational energies

The 0.1 eV translational energy reactions of CH⁺₃ and CD⁺₃ with acetonitrile were studied in a tandem Dempster-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Channels leading to CH₃CNH⁺ (7%), H₂CN⁺ (58%), and C₂H⁺₅ (35%) were observed. For CD⁺₃ reactant ions the H₂CN⁺ and C₂H⁺₅ products show evidence of complete H, D isotopic scrambling, suggesting an intermediate complex.     

Unimolecular reactions of the isolated immonium ions CH3CH = NH+C4H9, CH3CH2Ch = NH+C4H9 and (CH3)2C = NH+C4H9

The reactions of ten metastable immonium ions of general structure R¹R²C?NH⁺C₄H₉ (R¹ = H, R² = CH₃, C₂H₅; R¹ = R² = CH₃) are reported and discussed. Elimination of C₄H₈ is usually the dominant fragmentation pathway. This process gives rise to a Gaussian metastable peak; it is interpreted in terms of a mechanism involving ion-neutral complexes containing incipient butyl) cations. Metastable immonium ions ontaining an isobutyl group are unique in undergoing a minor amount of imine (R¹R²C?NH) loss. This decomposition route, which also produces a Gaussian metastable peak, decreases in importance as the basicity of the imine increases. The correlation between imine loss and the presence of an isobutyl group is rationalized by the rearrangement of the appropriate ion-neutral complexes in which there are isobutyl cations to the isomeric complexes containing the thermodynamically more stable tert-butyl cations. A sizeable amount of a third reaction, expulsion of C₃H₆, is observed for metastable n-C₄H₉ ⁺NH?CR¹R² ions; in contrast to C₄H₈ and R¹R²C?NH loss, C₃H₆ elimination occurs with a large kinetic energy release (40–48 kJ mol^?1) and is evidenced by a dish-topped metastable peak. This process is explained using a two-step mechanism involving a 1,5-hydride shift, followed by cleavage of the resultant secondary open-chain cations, CH₃CH⁺ CH₂CH₂NHCHR¹R².     

Mass Spectra of New Heterocycles. XVII. Main Fragmentation Routes of Molecular Ions of 4-Alkoxy-5-amino-3-methylthiophene-2-carbonitriles under Electron and Chemical Ionization

For the first time decomposition was investigated of 4-alkoxy-5-amino-3-methylthiophene-2-carbonitriles under the conditions of electronic (70 eV) and chemical (reagent gas methane) ionization. At the electronic ionization the compounds under study [except for 4-(1-ethoxyethoxy) and 4-(ferrocenylmethoxy) derivatives] form stable molecular ions that decompose mainly by the cleavage of an alkyl radical from the alkoxy-substituent. Further fragmentation of the arising ion [M–Alk]⁺ depends on the substituent nature in the amino group. In the mass spectrum of 4-(ferrocenylmethoxy)-substituted thiophene peaks of the ion [FcCH₂]⁺ and its fragmentation products prevail. In the mass spectra of chemical ionization predominant peaks belong to ions M^+·, [M + H]⁺ and [M + C₂H₅]⁺, and fragment ions are absent.     

ChemInform Abstract: Protonated Nitric Acid. Structure and Relative Stability of Isomeric H2NO+ 3 Ions in the Gas Phase.

Gaseous H₂NO₃⁺ ions are generated by direct protonation of HNO₃ by H3⁺, H₃O⁺ and CH₅⁺ and by protonation of C₂H₅ONO₂ followed by C₂H₄ loss.     

The distonic ions HO+CHCH2C˙H2 and CH3C(O+H)CH2C˙H2

The distonic ions HO⁺?CHCH₂C^˙H₂ (1) and CH₃C(?O⁺H)CH₂C^˙H₂ (2) were directly generated, their decompositions characterized and their appearance energies determined by photoionization. Heats of formation derived from the appearance energies were 757 kJ mol^?1 for 1 and 692 kJ mol^?1 for 2. Deuterium labeling demonstrates that both ions decompose at low energies in the same ways as their isomers with the same skeletal structures, consistent with proposals that 1 and 2 are intermediates in the decompositions of those systems. Surprisingly, the values of the translational energy releases accompanying the formation of CH₃CO⁺ and C₂H₅CO⁺ from 2 appear to be inversely proportional to the available excess energy. The 1,2-H-shift RC(?O⁺H)CH₂C˙H₂ → RC(?O₊H)C˙HCH₃ is compared to the corresponding, non-occurring 1,2-H-shift in alkyl free radicals.     

SIFT studies of the reactions of H3O+, NO+ and O+2 with a series of volatile carboxylic acids and esters

We report the results of a selected ion flow tube (SIFT) study of the reactions of H₃O⁺, NO⁺ and O⁺₂ with some nine carboxylic acids and eight esters. We assume that all the exothermic proton transfer reactions of H₃O⁺ with all the acid and esters molecules occur at the collisional rate, i.e. the rate coefficients, k, are equal to k_c; then it is seen that k values for most of the NO⁺ and O⁺₂ reactions also are equal to or close to k_c. The major ionic products of the H₃O⁺ reactions with both the acids and esters are the protonated parent molecules, MH⁺, but minor channels are also evident, these being the result of H₂O elimination from the excited (MH⁺)1 in some of the acid reactions and an alcohol molecule elimination (CH₃OH or C₂H₅OH) in some of the ester reactions. The NO⁺ reactions with the acids and esters result in both ion-molecule association producing NO⁺M in parallel with hydroxide ion (OH⁻) transfer with some of the acids, and parallel methoxide ion (CH₃O⁻) and ethoxide ion (C₂H₅O⁻) transfer as appropriate with some of the esters. The O⁺₂ reactions proceed by dissociative charge transfer with the production of two or more ionic fragments of the parent molecules, the different isomeric forms of both the acid and the ester molecules resulting in different product ions.