Unimolecular reactions of ionized methyl acetate and its hydrogen-rearranged isomers

The proposed formation of [CH₃C(OH)OCH₂]⁺˙ (b) as the intermediate in the isomerization [CH₂?C(OH)OCH₃]⁺˙ (c)?b?[CH₃COOCH₃]⁺˙ (c has been confirmed by preparation of b from CH₃COOCH₂OCH₃. For the three isomers a–c the dominant metastable ion (MI) dissociation, CH₃O˙ loss, involves identical kinetic energy release values. The kinetic barriers for a?b and b?c must be nearly as high as that for CH₃O˙ loss from c, as shown by the insensitivity of the mass spectra from collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) of a–c to ionizing electron energy. The H/D scrambling of metastable [CH₂?C(OD)OCH₃]⁺˙ and c–D₃ ions confirm this, indicating that the barrier for a?b is slightly below that for b?c. Minor low-energy dissociations include losses of CH₄ and CH₃OH from a and losses of ˙CHO and CH₂O from b. Comparison of MI and CAD spectra of a–c with those from [CH₃(OH)CH₂O]⁺˙ (d) and [CH₃COCH₂OH]⁺˙ (e) give no evidence for skeletal rearrangement of a–c to d or e.     

Generation and characterization of ionic and neutral [HS-P-OH]<Superscript>+/·</Superscript> and S=P(OH)<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>+/·</Superscript></Stack> in the Gas Phase by Tandem Mass Spectrometry and Computational Chemistry

Dissociative electron ionization of diethyl dithiophosphate (I) and O,O′-diethyl methylphosphonothioate (II) generates moderately abundant m/z 81 ions of composition [P, O, S, H₂]⁺. From tandem mass spectrometry experiments and theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p), G2, and G2 (MP2) levels it is concluded that the majority of the ions have the structure of HS-P-OH⁺ (1a ⁺) and it is separated by high-energy barriers from its isomers P(= S)OH₂⁺ (1b ⁺), P(= O)SH₂⁺ (1c ⁺), HP(= S)OH⁺ (1d ⁺), and HP(= O)SH⁺ (1e ⁺). Low-energy (metastable) ions 1a ⁺ dissociate via losses of H₂O and H₂S to yield m/z 63 (PS⁺) and m/z 47 (PO⁺) product ions, respectively. These reactions involve isomerization of 1a ⁺ into the stable isomers 1b ⁺ and 1c ⁺. Neutralization-reionization experiments confirm the theoretical prediction that radical 1a ^· is a stable species in the gas-phase. Variable-time NR experiments indicated that only a small fraction of metastable 1a ^· radicals dissociate in the 0.4–4.6 μs time window, while most dissociations occurred on a shorter time scale. RRKM calculations were performed to investigate unimolecular dissociation kinetics of 1a ^· which were found to be in agreement with the fragmentation observed in the NR spectrum. The 70-eV electron ionization of (I) and diethyl chlorothiophosphate (III) yields m/z 97 ions, predominantly of the structure S = P(OH)₂⁺ (2a ⁺). This conclusion follows from tandem mass spectrometry experiments and theoretical calculations. The calculations predict that (2a ⁺) is separated by high-energy barriers from its isomers O = P(SH)OH⁺ (2b ⁺), S = P(= O)OH₂⁺ (2c ⁺), and O = P(= O)SH₂⁺ (2d ⁺). Neutralization-reionization experiments confirmed that 2a ^· radical is a kinetically stable species on the time scale of up to 5 μs, which is in agreement with ab initio calculations. However, owing to a mismatch of Franck-Condon factors a large fraction of 2a ^· dissociates by loss of SH^· yielding O=P-OH.     

Stereospecific fragmentation processes in cycloalkane/cycloalkene-fused isomers of saturated pyrrolo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazin-6-one derivatives

Electron ionization-induced fragmentations were studied in a set of saturated pyrrolo[2,1-b][1,3]oxazin-6-one derivatives fused to either cycloalkane or cycloalkene rings, including seven pairs of cis/trans and endo/exo annelation isomers. Fragmentation patterns were confirmed by accurate mass measurements and metastable ion spectra. A number of striking differences were observed between the mass spectra of cyclohexene-fused isomers due to highly stereospecific retro-Diels-Alder (RDA) fragmentation of their M^+· ions. The observed 90% stereospecificity is abnormally high in the light of the recent classification (A. Mandelbaum, 1994) of stereospecific RDA fragmentations according to the degree of substitution of the cyclohexene ring being cleaved. In the absence of RDA processes, the differences between the mass spectra of cyclohexane-fused isomers originated from heterocyclic fragmentations. The assumed mechanistic interpretation of the observed differences, e. g., in the formation of [M − C₃H₅O]⁺ ions, was consistent with the condensed-state conformations of these isomers determined previously by NMR and X-ray diffraction studies. Because of rapid RDA decompositions of their rather unstable M^+· ions, the spectra of the diendo/diexo norbornene-fused isomers were virtually identical.     

An energy-resolved study of the fragmentation of ionized 1-Penten-3-ol

A detailed energy-resolved study of the fragmentation of CH₂?CHCH(OH)CD₂CD₃ (1-d₅) has been carried out using metastable ion studies and charge exchange techniques, combined with collision-induced dissociation studies to establish the structures of fragment ions. At low internal energies (metastable ions) the molecular ion of 1-d₅ rearranges to the 3-pentanone structure and fragments by loss of C₂H₅ or C₂D₅ leading to the acyl structure, [CH₃CH₂C?O]⁺ or [CD₃CD₂C?O]⁺, for the fragment ion. However, with increasing internal energy of the molecular ion this rearrangement process decreases rapidly in importance and loss of C₂D₅ by direct cleavage, leading to [CH₂?CHCH?OH]⁺, becomes the dominant fragmentation reaction. As a result the [C₃H₅O]⁺ ion seen in the electron impact mass spectrum of 1-penten-3-ol has predominantly the protonated acrolein structure.     

Stereoelectronic control of the retro diels–alder reaction in 8-(N-pyrrolidyl)bicyclo[4.3.0]nona-3,7-diene isomers

The cis- and trans-annulated isomers of 8-(N-pyrrolidyl)bicyclo[4.3.0]nona-3,7-diene show different propensities for the retro Diels–Alder fragmentation following electron impact ionization. Molecular ions of the cis-annulated isomer decompose predominantly via the retro Diels–Alder reaction to give [C₉H₁₃N] ⁺· fragments of the appearance energy (AE)=8.45±0.05eV and critical energy E_c=133±8kJ mol^?1. The trans-annulated isomer gives abundant [M–H]⁺ (AE=9.34±0.08eV) and [M–C₆H₆]⁺· fragments, in addition to [C₉H₁₃N]⁺· ions of AE=8.98±0.05eV and E_c=181±8kJ mol^?1. The ionization energies (IE) were determined as IE_cis=7.07±0.05 eV and IE_trans=7.10±0.06eV. The stereochemical information is much less pronounced in unimolecular decompositions of long-lived (metastable) molecular ions which show very similar fragmentation patterns for both geometrical isomers. Nevertheless, the isomers exhibit different kinetic energy release values in the retro Diels–Alder fragmentation; T_0.5=3.8±0.3 and 4.8±0.2 kJ mol^?1 for the cis and trans isomer respectively. Topological molecular orbital calculations indicate that the retro Diels–Alder reaction prefers a two-step path, with a subsequent cleavage of the C(5)? C(6) and C(1)? C(2) bonds. The open-ring distonic intermediate represents the absolute minimum on the reaction energy hypersurface. The cleavage of the C(1)? C(2) bond is the rate-determining step in the decomposition of the cis isomer, with the critical energy calculated as 137 kJ mol^?1. The cleavage of the C(5)? C(6) bond becomes the rate-determining step in the trans-annulated isomer because of stereoelectronic control. The difference in the energy barriers to this cleavage in the isomers (ΔE=95k Jmol^?1) provides a quantitative estimate of the magnitude of the stereoelectronic effect in cation radicals.     

Metastable ion studies. IV—thermochemistry and ion structures among fragmenting [C3H6]+· ions

Metastable ion peak shapes, dimensions and relative abundances have been measured for the three fragmentations [C₃H₆]⁺· → [C₃H₄]⁺· + H₂, [C₃H₆]⁺· → [C₃H₅]⁺ + H· and [C₃H₆]⁺· → [C₃H₃]⁺ + H₂ + H·. [C₃H₆]⁺· ions were derived from propene, cyclopropane, tetrahydrofuran, cyclohexanone, 2-methyl but-1-ene and cis-pent-2-ene. Activation energies for these fragmentations have been evaluated. Three daughter ion dissociations ([C₃H₅]⁺ → [C₃H₃]⁺ + H₂, [C₃H₅]⁺ → [C₃H₄]⁺· + H· and [C₃H₄]⁺· → [C₃H₃]⁺ + H·) have been similarly examined. Ion structures have been determined and the metastable energy releases have been correlated with the thermochemical data. It is concluded that the molecular ions of propene and cyclopropane become structurally indistinguishable prior to fragmentation and that differences in their metastable ion characteristics can be ascribed wholly to internal energy differences; the latter can be correlated with the photoelectron spectra of the isomers. The pathway for the consecutive fragmentation which generates the metastable ion peak (m/e 42 → m/e.39) has been shown to be It is likewise concluded that fragmentating [C₃H₆]⁺· ions generated from the various precursor molecules are also structurally indistinguishable and cannot be classified with either molecular ion of the isomeric C₃H₆ hydrocarbons.     

Protonated silanoic acid HSi(OH)2+ and its neutral counterpart: a tandem mass spectrometric and CBS-QB3 computational study

Protonated silanoic acid, HSi(OH)₂⁺, 1a ⁺, is cleanly generated by the dissociative electron ionization of triethoxysilane, HSi(OC₂H₅)₃, and tetraethoxysilane, Si(OC₂H₅)₄. This follows from tandem mass spectrometric experiments and CBS-QB3 model chemistry calculations. The calculations predict that 1a ⁺ (ΔH_f(298 K) = 205 kJ mol⁻¹) is separated by high barriers from its isomers HOSiOH₂⁺, 1b ⁺ and HSi(O)OH₂⁺, 1c ⁺. Low-energy (metastable) ions 1a ⁺ dissociate by loss of H₂O via the pathway 1a ⁺ → 1b ⁺ → SiOH⁺ + H₂O. Analysis of the metastable peak for this process confirms that the isomerization step 1a ⁺ → 1b ⁺ is rate determining. The calculations further predict that the incipient ions 1b ⁺ communicate via a low barrier with the proton-bound dimer SiO···H···OH₂⁺, 1d ⁺. This dimer ion is much lower in energy than its counterpart OSi···H···OH₂⁺, 1e ⁺, which is calculated to be only marginally stable. A comparison of the potential energy diagram for the silicon-containing ions 1a ⁺– 1e ⁺ with that of their carbon analogues reveals that the dissociation chemistries of HSi(OH)₂⁺ and HC(OH)₂⁺ are only superficially similar. Neutralization–reionization experiments confirm the theoretical prediction that the HSi(OH)₂^• radical (ΔH_f(298 K) = −455 kJ mol⁻¹) is a stable species in the rarefied gas phase. However, owing to a mismatch of Franck–Condon factors a large fraction of the neutralized ions dissociates by loss of H^• yielding Si(OH)₂. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The energy surface for isomeric [C2H3O]+ ions: Further experimental evidence

Mass spectra from collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) of [C₂H₃O]⁺ ions, including isotopically labeled analogs, provide further information on the isomers [CH₃C?O⁺] (a), [CH₂?C?O⁺H] (b), [⁺CH₂CH?O] (c) and (d). Our data generally support the recent conclusions from theory by Radom and coworkers and from experiment by Terlouw, Holmes and coworkers. Most acetyl-containing molecular ions form a ions in high purity only at low energies, consistent with isomerization of higher energy molecular ions to form the more stable enol which dissociates to b. Isomer d, prepared from (CICH₂)₂CHOH, undergoes facile hydrogen scrambling, presumably through a degenerate 1,2-hydrogen shift. Theory suggests that c undergoes spontaneous isomerization to a and d; although [C₂H₃O]⁺ ions from BrCH₂CHO appear to consist of a and ～15% d, the latter are formed without substantial hydrogen scrambling.     

A comparison of the unimolecular decomposition pathways of some C7 and C8 ions in the gas phase

[CnH_2n?3]⁺ and [C_nH_2n?4]⁺·(n = 7, 8) ions have been generated in the mass spectrometer from C_nH_2n?3 Br (n = 7, 8) precursors and from two steroids. The relative abundances of competing ‘metastable transitionss’ indicate (partial) isomerization to a common structure (or mixture of structures) prior to decomposition in most examples of all four types of ions. In contrast, [C₈H₁₀O]⁺· and [C₈H₁₂O]⁺· ions, generated from different sources as molecular ions and by fragmentation of steroids, do not decompose through common-intermediates.     

Isomeric [C,H3,N,O]+˙ ions and their neutral counterparts

The isomeric ions [H₂NC(H)O]⁺˙, [H₂NCOH]⁺˙, [H₃CNO]⁺˙ and [H₂CNOH]⁺˙ were examined in the gas phase by mass spectrometry. Ab initio molecular orbital theory was used to calculate the relative stabilities of [H₂NC(H)O]⁺˙, [H₂NCOH]⁺˙, [H₃NCO]⁺˙ and their neutral counterparts. Theory predicted [H₂NC(H)O]⁺˙ to be the most stable ion. [H₂NCOH]⁺˙ ions were generated via a 1,4-hydrogen transfer in [H₂NC(O)OCH₃]⁺˙, [H₂NC(O)C(O)OH]⁺˙ and [H₂NC(O)CH₂CH₃]⁺˙. Its metastable dissociation takes place via [H₃NCO]⁺˙ with the isomerization as the rate-determining step. [H₂CNOH]⁺˙ undergoes a rate-determining isomerization into [H₃CNO]⁺˙ prior to metastable fragmentation. Neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry was used to identify the neutral counterparts of these [H₃,C,N,O]⁺˙ ions as stable species in the gas phase. The ion [H₃NCO]⁺˙ was not independently generated in these experiments; its neutral counterpart was predicted by theory to be only weakly bound.     

Mechanism of CO loss for protonated 1-indanone and isomeric [C9H9O]+ ions

In order to establish the mechanism of CO loss occurring during metastable decomposition of protonated 1-indanone, fragmentations of monocyclic [C₉H₉O]⁺ isomers have been studied. These ions of known structure were prepared by CI protonation and fragmentation of the corresponding acids chlorides. It is demonstrated that the wide component of the [MH? CO]⁺ metastable peak induced by protonated 1-indanone fragmentation is the result of fragmentation of the [C₆H₅CH₂CH₂CO]⁺ isomer ion.     

Why Are B ions stable species in peptide spectra?

Protonated amino acids and derivatives RCH(NH₂)C(+O)X · H⁺ (X = OH, NH₂, OCH₃) do not form stable acylium ions on loss of HX, but rather the acylium ion eliminates CO to form the immonium ion RCH = NH ₂ ⁺ . By contrast, protonated dipeptide derivatives H₂NCH(R)C(+O)NHCH(R′)C(+O)X · H⁺ [X = OH, OCH₃, NH₂, NHCH(R″)COOH] form stable B₂ ions by elimination of HX. These B₂ ions fragment on the metastable ion time scale by elimination of CO with substantial kinetic energy release (T _1/2 = 0.3–0.5 eV). Similarly, protonated N-acetyl amino acid derivatives CH₃C(+O)NHCH(R′)C(+O)X · H⁺ [X = OH, OCH₃, NH₂, NHCH(R″)COOH] form stable B ions by loss of HX. These B ions also fragment unimolecularly by loss of CO with T _1/2 values of ～ 0.5 eV. These large kinetic energy releases indicate that a stable configuration of the B ions fragments by way of activation to a reacting configuration that is higher in energy than the products, and some of the fragmentation exothermicity of the final step is partitioned into kinetic energy of the separating fragments. We conclude that the stable configuration is a protonated oxazolone, which is formed by interaction of the developing charge (as HX is lost) with the N-terminus carbonyl group and that the reacting configuration is the acyclic acylium ion. This conclusion is supported by the similar fragmentation behavior of protonated 2-phenyl-5-oxazolone and the B ion derived by loss of H-Gly-OH from protonated C₆H₅C(+O)-Gly-Gly-OH. In addition, ab initio calculations on the simplest B ion, nominally HC(+O)NHCH₂CO⁺, show that the lowest energy structure is the protonated oxazolone. The acyclic acylium isomer is 1.49 eV higher in energy than the protonated oxazolone and 0.88 eV higher in energy than the fragmentation products, HC(+O)N⁺H = CH₂ + CO, which is consistent with the kinetic energy releases measured.     

Synthese und Charakterisierung von Aquapentachloroplatinaten(IV) – Struktur von [K(18-Krone-6)][PtCl5(H2O)]

Synthesis and Characterization of Aquapentachloroplatinates(IV) – Structure of [K(18-crown-6)][PtCl₅(H₂O)] The crown ether complex of the aquapentachloroplatinic acid of the composition [H₁₃O₆][PtCl₅(H₄O₂)] · 2(18-cr-6) ( 2 ) reacts with K₂CO₃ and [NⁿBu₄]OH in aqueous solution to give [K(18-cr-6)][PtCl₅(H₂O)] ( 5 a ) and [NⁿBu₄][PtCl₅(H₂O)] · ¹/₂ (18-cr-6) · H₂O ( 5 b ), respectively. Both compounds were characterized by microanalysis, vibrational (IR, Raman) and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, ¹⁹⁵Pt) spectroscopy. The X-ray structure analysis of 5 a (orthorhombic, pnma; a = 16,550(4), b = 18,044(3), c = 7,415(1) Å; Z = 4; R1 = 0,0183; wR2 = 0,0414) reveals that the crystal is threaded by chains built up of [PtCl₅(H₂O)]^? and [K(18-cr-6)]⁺ units. There are tight K …? Cl contacts (d(K? Cl1)) = 3,0881(9) Å and O_W? H? O_cr hydrogen bridges (d(O1 …? O2) = 2,806(3) Å) between these units. The coordination polyhedron [PtCl₅O] has approximately C_4v symmetry.     

A mass spectral study of 1-(aryldimethylsilyl)-2-propanones and their isomeric 2-(aryldimethylsiloxy)-1-propenes

The mass spectra of a series of β-ketosilanes, p-Y? C₆H₄Me₂SiCH₂C(O)Me and their isomeric silyl enol ethers, p-Y? C₆H₄Me₂SiOC(CH₃)?CH₂, where Y = H, Me, MeO, Cl, F and CF₃, have been recorded. The fragmentation patterns for the β-ketosilanes are very similar to those of their silyl enol ether counterparts. The seven major primary fragment ions are [M? Me·]⁺, [M? C₆H₄Y·]⁺, [M? Me₂SiO]⁺˙, [M? C₃H₄]⁺˙, [M? HC?CCF₃]⁺˙, [Me₂SiOH]⁺˙ and [C₃H₆O]⁺˙ Apparently, upon electron bombardment the β-ketosilanes must undergo rearrangement to an ion structure very similar to that of the ionized silyl enol ethers followed by unimolecular ion decompositions. Substitutions on the benzene ring show a significant effect on the formation of the ions [M? Me₂SiO]⁺˙ and [Me₂SiOH]⁺˙, electron donating groups favoring the former and electron withdrawing groups favoring the latter. The mass spectral fragmentation pathways were identified by observing metastable peaks, metastable ion mass spectra and ion kinetic energy spectra.     

In-beam electron impact mass spectrometry of aliphatic alcohols

The characteristics of the in-beam electron impact mass spectra of six isomers of undecanol as well as several 1-alkanols have been examined. In addition to the characteristic ions observed in the conventional electron impact spectra, the [2M+1]⁺, [2M+1-H₂O]⁺, [2M+1-2H₂O]⁺, [2M-R or R′]⁺, [2M-H₂O? R or R′]⁺, [2M? 2H₂O? R or R′]⁺ and [M+1? H₂O]⁺ peaks are common in the in-beam electron impact mass spectra of the undecanol isomers of structure RCH(OH)R′. Deuterium labelling experiments have shown that the extra proton in the protonated dimer ions, [2M+1]⁺, originates from the hydroxy group. The processes which produce the important peaks in the high m/e regions are discussed.     

Structure and formation of gaseous [C4H5O]+ Ions. II–Ions of the type HCC?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}(OH)(CH3)

Loss of an alkyl group X? from acetylenic alcohols HC?C? CX(OH)(CH₃) and gas phase protonation of HC?C? CO? CH₃ are both shown to yield stable HC?C? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}(OH)(CH₃) ions. Ions of this structure are unique among all other [C₄H₅O]⁺ isomers by having m/z 43 [C₂H₃O]⁺ as base peak in both the metastable ion and collisional activation spectra. It is concluded that the composite metastable peak for formation of m/z 43 corresponds to two distinct reaction profiles which lead to the same product ion, CH₃\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}?O, and neutral, HC?CH. It is further shown that the [C₄H₅O]⁺ ions from related alcohols (like HC?C? CH(OH)(CH₃)) which have an α-H atom available for isomerization into energy rich allenyl type molecular ions, consist of a second stable structure, H₂C?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}? C(OH)?CH₂.     

Selenoketene (H2CCSe)+• and selenoketyl cumulene (HCCSe)+ ions and their neutral counterparts: a tandem mass spectrometric and computational study

Dissociative electron ionization (70eV) of selenophene (C₄H₄Se) generates m/z 106 ions of composition [H₂, C₂, ⁸⁰Se]^+? and m/z 105 ions of [H, C₂, ⁸⁰Se]⁺. From tandem mass spectrometric experiments, Density Functional Theory (DFT) and ab initio calculations, it is concluded that these ions have the structure of selenoketene H₂C?C?Se^+? (1a^+? )and selenoketyl HC?C?Se⁺ (2a⁺) ions respectively. The calculations predict that selenoketene ion 1a^+? is separated by high energy barriers from its isomers selenirene (H e)^+? 1b^+?, ethyne selenol (HCCSeH)^+? 1c^+?, (CCHSeH)^+? 1d^+? and (CCSeH₂)^+? 1e^+?. The selenoketyl ion 2a⁺ is separated by high barriers from its isomers (CCHSe)⁺ 2b⁺, and (CCSeH)⁺ 2c⁺. Neutralization‐reionization mass spectra (NRMS) of these structurally characterized ions confirmed that the corresponding neutral analogues, selenoketene H₂CCSe 1a and selenoketyl radical HCCSe 2a^? are stable in the rarefied gas phase. The relative, dissociation, and isomerization energies for selenoketene and selenoketyl ions and neutrals studied at B3LYP/6–31G(d,p) and G2/G2(MP2) levels are used to support and interpret the experimental results. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The isotypic hydrogen phosphate and arsenate dihydrates M2HXO4·2H2O (M = Rb,Cs; X = P,As)

The four isotypic alkaline metal monohydrogen arsenate(V) and phosphate(V) dihydrates M₂HXO₄·2H₂O (M = Rb, Cs; X = P, As) [namely dicaesium monohydrogen arsenate(V) dihydrate, Cs₂HAsO₄·2H₂O, dicaesium monohydrogen phosphate(V) dihydrate, Cs₂HPO₄·2H₂O, dirubidium monohydrogen arsenate(V) dihydrate, Rb₂HAsO₄·2H₂O, and dirubidium monohydrogen phosphate(V) dihydrate, Rb₂HPO₄·2H₂O] were synthesized by reaction of an aqueous H₃XO₄ solution with one equivalent of aqueous M₂CO₃. Their crystal structures are made up of undulating chains extending along [001] of tetrahedral [XO₃(OH)]⁻ anions connected via strong O—H...O hydrogen bonds. These chains are in turn connected into a three‐dimensional network via medium‐strength hydrogen bonding involving the water molecules. Two crystallographically different M⁺ cations are located in channels running along [001] or in the free space of the [XO₃(OH)]⁻ chains, respectively. They are coordinated by eight and twelve O atoms forming irregular polyhedra. The structures possess pseudosymmetry. Due to the ordering of the protons in the [XO₃(OH)]⁻ chains in the actual structures, the symmetry is reduced from C2/c to P2₁/c. Nevertheless, the deviation from C2/c symmetry is minute.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the aquation of pentaaqua (trichloroacetato-O)-chromium(2+) ion

The kinetics of the aquation of (H₂O)₅Cr(O₂CCCl₃)²⁺ have been examined at 35–55°C and 1.00M ionic strength with [H⁺] = 0.01?1.00M. The reaction follows the rate equation -d ln [Cr_total]/dt = (a[H⁺]^?1 + b + c[H⁺])/(1 + d[H⁺]), where [Cr_total] is the stoichiometric concentration of the complex. At 45°C a = (1.41 ± 0.03) × 10^?7M/s, b = (1.66 ± 0.02) × 10^?5 s^?1, c = (7.0 ± 0.8) × 10^?5M^?1·S^?1 and d = 2.3 ± 0.3M^?1. Two mechanisms consistent with this rate law are discussed, with evidence being presented in favor of an ester hydrolysis mechanism involving steady-state intermediates. Equilibrium and activation parameters were determined.     

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.