乙烯自由基A2A''(v'=0)←X2A'(v''=0)带的转动分析

通过193 nm光解丁烯酮分子产生乙烯基自由基(C₂H₃). 经射流冷却后, 用另一束激光光解C₂H₃, 生成的氢原子碎片经共振增强多光子电离(REMPI)过程, 记录氢离子信号随光解波长变化, 得到20020～20070 cm_-1范围内乙烯基激发的转动分辨光谱. 该谱对应于A²A'(v'=0)←X²A'(v'=0)跃迁的转动结构. 结合量子化学理论计算、光谱拟合以及前人的研究结果, 对该段光谱进行了完整的转动识别, 确定了40条转动谱线的位置. 由光谱拟合还得到A²A'(v'= 0 )能级的预解离寿命为3.3 ps, 且不依赖于转动量子数.     

Ab initio configuration-interaction study of the ground and low-lying electronic states of NiI

For the first time, we have studied the potential-energy curves, spectroscopic terms, vibrational levels, and the spectroscopic constants of the ground and low-lying excited states of NiI by employing the complete active space self-consistent-field method with relativistic effective core potentials followed by multireference configuration-interaction calculations. We have identified six low-lying electronic states of NiI with doublet spin multiplicities, including three states of Delta symmetry and three states of Pi symmetry of the molecule within 15 000 cm(-1). The lowest (2)Delta state is identified as the ground state of NiI, and the lowest (2)Pi state is found at 2174.56 cm(-1) above it. These results fully support the previous conclusion of the observed spectra although our computational energy separation of the two states is obviously larger than that of the experimental values. The present calculations show that the low-lying excited states [13.9] (2)Pi and [14.6] (2)Delta are 3 (2)Pi and 3 (2)Delta electronic states of NiI, respectively. Our computed spectroscopic terms, vibrational levels, and spectroscopic constants for them are in good agreement with the experimental data available at present. In the present work we have not only suggested assignments for the observed states but also computed more electronic states that are yet to be observed experimentally.     

Perturbation analysis for the rotational spectrum of the NiBr radical in the X2Pi3/2 and A2Delta5/2 states

The millimeter- and submillimeter-wave spectra of the NiBr radical in the X (2)Pi(3/2) and A (2)Delta(5/2) states were observed by a source-modulated microwave spectrometer. The NiBr radical was generated in a dc glow discharge through the mixture of Br(2) vapor and Ar gas by the sputtering reaction with a Ni cathode. Observed transition frequencies were independently analyzed for both electronic states using a standard polynomial expression of a Hund's case (c) approximation. Anomalous behavior of the effective molecular constants in the X (2)Pi(3/2) state was interpreted as the result of the perturbation between the X (2)Pi(3/2) and A (2)Delta(5/2) states. The deperturbed molecular constants were derived using a simplified supermultiplet Hamiltonian including the interaction terms between the two electronic states.     

甲醇-联吡啶钌(II)体系的电致化学发光研究

研究了碱性溶液中甲醇-联吡啶钌(II)[Ru(bpy)3^2^+]的电致化学发光行为。在玻碳电极上甲醇于+1.28V(vs.Ag/AgCl)处被氧化为甲氧基离子(CH3O.), 该自由基离子发生歧化反应, 生成激发态的甲醛(HCHO), 发出波长为545nm的光。另一方面当体系含有少量的Ru(bpy)3^2^+时会得到较强的发光信号, 发光波长为608nm, 该发光起因于在甲醇的氧化电位下, Ru(bpy)3^2^+被氧化成Ru(bpy)3^3^+, CH3O.与Ru(bpy)3^3^+反应, 生成激发态的Ru(bpy)3^2^+而发光。     

A crossed molecular beam imaging study of the O(1D2)+HCl-->OH+Cl(2P J=3/2, 1/2) reaction.

A crossed molecular beam study is presented for the O((1)D(2))+HCl-->OH+Cl((2)P(J)) reaction at the collision energy of 6 kcal mol(-1). State-resolved doubly differential cross sections are obtained for the Cl((2)P(J=3/2) ) and Cl*((2)P(J=1/2) ) products by velocity-map ion imaging. Both products are slightly more forward scattered, which suggests a reaction mechanism without a long-lived intermediate in the ground electronic state. A small fraction (23 %) of the energy release into the translational degree of freedom indicates strong internal excitation of the counterpart OH radical. The contribution of the electronic excited states of O--HCl to the overall reaction is also examined from the doubly differential cross sections.     

流动体系中维生素B~1的电致化学发光研究

在0.1mol/LNaOH水溶液中(pH12.6),维生素B~1的水解产物在玻碳电极上于+0.88V(vs.Ag/AgCl,下同)处被氧化,其氧化产物在+1.20V处与被氧化的Ru(bpy)~3^2^+反应,生成激发态的Ru(bpy)~3^2^+^*而发光,发光波长为609nm,研究结果表明水溶液的pH值影响了维生素B~1的水解速率,从而引起发光强度的明显差异。     

Tuning intermolecular magnetic exchange interactions in the solids C(x)F(2)(x)(CNSSS)(2)(AsF(6))(2): structural, EPR, and magnetic characterization of dimeric (x = 2, 4) diradicals

A series of diradical containing salts CxF2x(CNSSS)2(**2+0(AsF6-)2 {x = 2, 1[AsF6]2; x = 3, 3[AsF6]2; x = 4, 2[AsF6]2} have been prepared. 1[AsF6]2 and 2[AsF6]2 were fully characterized by X-ray, variable-temperature magnetic susceptibility, and solid-state EPR measurements, further allowing us to extend the number of examples of the family of rare 7pi RCNSSS(*+) radical cations. 1[AsF6]2: a = 6.5314(7) A, b = 7.5658(9) A, c = 9.6048(11) A, alpha = 100.962(2) degrees , beta = 96.885(2) degrees , gamma = 107.436(2) degrees , triclinic, space group P, Z = 1, T = 173 K. 2[AsF6]2: a = 10.6398(16) A, b = 7.9680(11) A, c = 12.7468(19) A, beta = 99.758(2) degrees , monoclinic, space group P21/c, Z = 2, T = 173 K. In the solid-state, CxF2x(CNSSS)2(**2+) (x = 2, 4) formed one-dimensional polymeric chains of dications containing discrete centrosymmetric radical pairs in which radicals were linked by four centered two-electron pi*-pi* bonds [12+, d(S...S) = 3.455(1) A; 22+, d(S...S) = 3.306(2) A]. The exchange interactions in these bonds were determined to be -500 +/- 30 and -900 +/- 90 cm-1, by variable temperature magnetic susceptibility measurements, respectively, providing rare experimental data on the singlet-triplet gaps in the field of thiazyl radicals. For 2[AsF6]2, the thermally excited triplet state was unambiguously characterized by EPR techniques [/D/ = 0.0254(8) cm(-1), /E/ = 0.0013(8) cm(-1)]. These experimental data implied a weakly associated nature of the radical moieties contained in the solids 1[AsF6]2 and 2[AsF6]2. Computational analysis of the dimerization process is presented, and we show that the 2c 4 electron pi*-pi* bonds in 1[AsF6]2 and 2[AsF6]2 have ca. 50% and 40% diradical character, respectively. In contrast, 3[AsF6]2.SO2, containing diradical C3F6(CNSSS)2(**2+) with an odd number of CF2 spacers, showed magnetic behavior that was consistent with the presence of monomeric radical centers in the solid state.     

(CH3)3C+NO2反应机理的理论研究

用量子化学密度泛函方法,在B3LYP/6-31G*水平下研究了叔丁基自由基(CH3)3C和NO2气体的反应机理.研究表明,该反应是在单、三态势能面上的多通道反应.不同反应通道的产物不同,单态下反应更容易发生.常温下对于一个敞开体系(例如在大气当中),(CH3)3C自由基和NO2作用主要生成比较稳定的化合物(CH3)3CONO和(CH3)3CNO2.这对于消除大气污染起到一定的作用.     

Photochemical reactions of the isostructural 17- and 18-electron complexes (η-C5H5)M(Me)PPh3 (M=Co, Ni)

The photochemical reactions of the title complexes were studied in air-free benzene solution. In both cases photolysis leads to the production of complexes of the formula (η⁵-C₅H₅)M(PPh₃)₂. Both reactions are the result of the initial loss of a methyl radical from the excited state. The primary photoproduct, (η⁵-C₅H₅)MPPh₃ (M=CO, Ni), then scavenges neutral ligands from the solution to yield, in the case of PPh₃, (η⁵-C₅H₅)M(PPh₃)₂. In the absence of uncoordinated ligand in the reaction solution, the cobalt derivative reacts with the starting material to yield (η⁵-C₅H₅)Co(PPh₃)₂, a methyl radical and (η⁵-C₅H₅)Co(solvent)_n.     

Crossed beam study of the atom-radical reaction of ground state carbon atoms (C(3P)) with the vinyl radical (C2H3(X2A'))

The atom-radical reaction of ground state carbon atoms (C((3)P)) with the vinyl radical (C(2)H(3)(X(2)A')) was conducted under single collision conditions at a collision energy of 32.3 ± 2.9 kJ mol(-1). The reaction dynamics were found to involve a complex forming reaction mechanism, which is initiated by the barrier-less addition of atomic carbon to the carbon-carbon-double bond of the vinyl radical forming a cyclic C(3)H(3) radical intermediate. The latter has a lifetime of at least 1.5 times its rotational period and decomposes via a tight exit transition state located about 45 kJ mol(-1) above the separated products through atomic hydrogen loss to the cyclopropenylidene isomer (c-C(3)H(2)) as detected toward cold molecular clouds and in star forming regions.     

Syntheses and electronic structures of one-electron-oxidized group 10 metal(II)-(disalicylidene)diamine complexes (metal = Ni, Pd, Pt)

Group 10 metal(II) complexes of H2tbu-salen (H2tbu-salen = N,N'-bis(3',5'-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)ethylenediamine) and H2tbu-salcn (H2tbu-salcn = N,N'-bis(3',5'-di-tert-butylsalicylidene)-1,2-cyclohexanediamine) containing two 2,4-di(tert-butyl)phenol moieties, [Ni(tbu-salen)] (1a), [Ni(tbu-salcn)] (1b), [Pd(tbu-salen)] (2a), [Pd(tbu-salcn)] (2b), and [Pt(tbu-salen)] (3), were prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction, and the electronic structures of their one-electron-oxidized species were established by spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. All the complexes have a mononuclear structure with two phenolate oxygens coordinated in a very similar square-planar geometry. These complexes exhibited similar absorption spectra in CH2Cl2, indicating that they all have a similar structure in solution. Cyclic voltammograms of the complexes showed a quasi-reversible redox wave at E1/2 = 0.82-1.05 V (vs Ag/AgCl), corresponding to formation of the relatively stable one-electron-oxidized species. The electrochemically oxidized or Ce(IV)-oxidized species of 1a, 2a, and 3 displayed a first-order decay with a half-life of 83, 20, and 148 min at -20 degrees C, respectively. Ni(II) complexes 1a and 1b were converted to the phenoxyl radicals upon one-electron oxidation in CH2Cl2 above -80 degrees C and to the Ni(III)-phenolate species below -120 degrees C. The temperature-dependent conversion was reversible with the Ni(III)-phenolate ground state and was found to be a valence tautomerism governed by the solvent. One-electron-oxidized 1b was isolated as [Ni(tbu-salcn)]NO3 (4) having the Ni(II)-phenoxyl radical ground state. One-electron-oxidized species of the Pd(II) complexes 2a and 2b were different from those of the Ni(II) complexes, the Pd(II)-phenoxyl radical species being the ground state in CH2Cl2 in the range 5-300 K. The one-electron-oxidized form of 2b, [Pd(tbu-salcn)]NO3 (5), which was isolated as a dark green powder, was found to be a Pd(II)-phenoxyl radical complex. On the other hand, the ESR spectrum of the one-electron-oxidized species of Pt(II) complex 3 exhibited a temperature-independent large g anisotropy in CH2Cl2 below -80 degrees C, while its resonance Raman spectrum at -60 degrees C displayed nu8a of the phenoxyl radical band at 1600 cm-1. These results indicated that the ground state of the Pt(II)-phenoxyl radical species has a large distribution of the radical electron spin at the Pt center. One-electron oxidation of 3 gave [Pt(tbu-salen)]NO3 (6) as a solid, where the oxidation state of the Pt center was determined to be ca. +2.5 from the XPS and XANES measurements.     

以钌(Ⅱ)-联吡啶配合物为催化剂的B-Z化学发光振荡研究

报道了一种以钌(Ⅱ)-联吡啶[Ru(bpy)2+3]为催化剂的B-Z化学发光振荡新现象. 研究了B-Z化学发光振荡反应的影响因素, 并对体系的UV光吸收振荡进行了对比研究, 探讨了化学发光振荡反应的可能机理. 结果表明, 该体系的化学发光振荡是由于氧化态的钌(Ⅱ)-联吡啶被振荡反应过程中的强还原性中间体还原所引起的, 化学发光振荡随时间增加呈现周期性变化.     

Spin-frustrated trinuclear Cu(II) clusters with mixing of 2(S = 1/2) and S = 3/2 states by antisymmetric exchange. 1. Dzialoshinsky-Moriya exchange contribution to zero-field splitting of the S = 3/2 state

The mixing of the spin-frustrated 2(S = 1/2) and S = 3/2 states by the Dzialoshinsky-Moriya (DM) exchange is considered for the Cu 3(II) clusters with strong DM exchange coupling. In the antiferromagnetic Cu 3 clusters with strong DM interaction, the 2(S = 1/2)-S = 3/2 mixing by the in-plane DM exchange ( G x ) results in the large positive contribution 2 D DM > 0 to the axial zero-field splitting (ZFS) 2 D of the S = 3/2 state. The correlations between the ZFS 2 D DM of the excited S = 3/2 state, sign of G z and chirality of the ground-state were obtained. In the isosceles Cu 3 clusters, the in-plane DM exchange mixing results in the rhombic magnetic anisotropy of the S = 3/2 state. Large distortions result in an inequality of the pair DM parameters, that leads to an additional magnetic anisotropy of the S = 3/2 state. In the {Cu 3} nanomagnet, the in-plane DM exchange (Gx, Gy) mixing results in the 58% contribution 2 D DM to the observed ZFS 2 D of the S = 3/2 state. The DM exchange and distortions explain the experimental observation that the intensities of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) transitions arising from the 2(S = 1/2) group of levels of the {Cu 3} nanomagnet are comparable to each other and are 1 order of magnitude weaker than that of the S = 3/2 state. In the ferromagnetic Cu 3 clusters, the in-plane DM exchange mixing of the excited 2(S = 1/2) and the ground S = 3/2 states results in the large negative DM exchange contribution 2 D DM' < 0 to the axial ZFS 2 D of the ground S = 3/2 state.     

Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies on the ground state of NO_3(~2A''''_2) radical and the first triplet state of NO_3~ cation

Density Functional Theory (DFT) studies on the ground states (2A'2) of NO3 radical and on the ground state (1A1') and the first triplet state (3E") of NO3 cation provide an unambiguous prediction about their geometrical structure-, the ground states of both NO3 radical and NO3 cation have D3h symmetry and the geometrical configuration of the first triplet state 3E" of NO3 cation has C2v symmetry. It is shown that as far as the ionization energy calculations on NO, radical are concerned, the results are only slightly different, no mater that gradient corrections of the exchange-correlation energy are included during self-consistent iterations or they are included as perturbations after the self-consistent iterations.     

Investigation of the radical product channel of the CH(3)C(O)CH(2)O(2) + HO(2) reaction in the gas phase

The reaction of CH(3)C(O)CH(2)O(2) with HO(2) has been studied at 296 K and 700 Torr using long path FTIR spectroscopy, during photolysis of Cl(2)/acetone/methanol/air mixtures. The branching ratio for the reaction channel forming CH(3)C(O)CH(2)O, OH and O(2) () was investigated in experiments in which OH radicals were scavenged by addition of benzene to the system, with subsequent formation of phenol used as the primary diagnostic for OH radical formation. The observed prompt formation of phenol under conditions when CH(3)C(O)CH(2)O(2) reacts mainly with HO(2) indicates that this reaction proceeds partially by channel , which forms OH both directly and indirectly, by virtue of secondary generation of CH(3)C(O)O(2) (from CH(3)C(O)CH(2)O) and its reaction with HO(2) (). The secondary generation of OH radicals was confirmed by the observed formation of CH(3)C(O)OOH, a well-established product of the CH(3)C(O)O(2) + HO(2) reaction (via channel ). A number of delayed sources of OH also contribute to the observed phenol formation, such that full characterisation of the system required simulations using a detailed chemical mechanism. The dependence of the phenol and CH(3)C(O)OOH yields on the initial peroxy radical precursor reagent concentration ratio, [methanol](0)/[acetone](0), were well described by the mechanism, consistent with a small but significant fraction of the reaction of CH(3)C(O)CH(2)O(2) with HO(2) proceeding via channel . This allowed a branching ratio of k(3b)/k(3) = 0.15 +/- 0.08 to be determined. The results therefore provide strong indirect evidence for the participation of the radical-forming channel of the title reaction.     

Radical cage effects in the photochemical degradation of polymers: effect of radical size and mass on the cage recombination efficiency of radical cage pairs generated photochemically from the (CpCH2CH2N(CH3)C(O)(CH2)nCH3)2Mo2(CO)6 (n = 3, 8, 18) complexes

This study explored the effect of radical size, chain length, and mass on the cage recombination efficiency of photochemically generated radical cage pairs. Radical cage pairs containing long-chain radicals of the type [(CpCH(2)CH(2)N(CH(3))C(O)(CH(2))(n)CH(3))(CO)(3)Mo*, *Mo(CO)(3)(CpCH(2)CH(2)(CH(3))NC(O)(CH(2))(n)CH(3))] were generated in hexanes/squalane solution by photolysis (lambda = 546 nm) of the Mo-Mo bonds in (CpCH(2)CH(2)N(CH(3))C(O)(CH(2))(n)CH(3))(2)Mo(2)(CO)(6) (n = 3, 8, 18). The cage recombination efficiencies (denoted as F(cP), where F(cP) = k(cP)/(k(cP) + k(dP)), k(dP) is the diffusion rate constant, and k(cP) is the radical recombination rate constant) for the radical cage pairs were obtained by extracting them from quantum yield measurements for the photoreactions with CCl(4) (a metal-radical trap) as a function of solvent system viscosity. The results show that F(cP) increases as the length of the chain on a radical center increases. This finding likely provides at least one of the reasons why the quantum yields for photolytic polymer degradation (and long-chain molecules, in general) decrease as the polymer chains get longer. In quantitative terms, plots of k(dP)/k(cP) were linearly proportional to mass(1/2)/radius(2), in agreement with the prediction of Noyes' cage effect theory. The "radius" of a long-chain radical, such as those studied herein, is rather vague, and for that reason a less ambiguous structural parameter was sought to replace the r(2) term in the Noyes expression. Plots of k(dP)/k(cP) vs mass(1/2)/surface area suggest that surface area can be used in place of the radius(2) term in the Noyes expression. The significance of being able to use a particle's surface area in the Noyes expression is that the expression becomes useful for nonspherical particles. The new expression allows the approximate prediction of F(cP) values for radicals of different sizes and masses.     

A new coordination mode of the photometric reagent glyoxalbis(2-hydroxyanil) (H2gbha): bis-bidentate bridging by gbha2- in the redox series [(mu-gbha)[Ru(acac)2]2]n (n = -2, -1, 0, +1, +2), including a radical-bridged diruthenium(III) and a Ru(III)/Ru(IV) intermediate

The bis-bidentate bridging function of gbha2- with N,O-/N,O- coordination was observed for the first time in the complex (mu-gbha)[Ru(III)(acac)2]2 (1). Density functional theory calculations of 1 yield a triplet ground state with a large (deltaE > 6000 cm(-1)) singlet-triplet gap. Intermolecular antiferromagnetic coupling was observed (J approximately -5.3 cm(-1)) for the solid. Complex 1 undergoes two one-electron reduction and two one-electron oxidation steps; the five redox forms [(mu-gbha)[Ru(acac)2]2]n (n = -2, -1, 0, +1, +2) were characterized by UV-vis-NIR spectroelectrochemistry (NIR = near infrared). The paramagnetic intermediates were also investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The monoanion with a comproportionation constant K(c) of 2.7 x 10(8) does not exhibit an NIR band for a Ru(III)/Ru(II) mixed-valent situation; it is best described as a 1,4-diazabutadiene radical anion containing ligand gbha*3-, which binds two ruthenium(III) centers. A Ru(III)-type EPR spectrum with g1 = 2.27, g2 = 2.21, and g3 = 1.73 is observed as a result of antiferromagnetic coupling between one Ru(III) and the ligand radical. The EPR-active monocation (K(c) = 1.7 x 10(6)) exhibits a broad (deltanu(1/2) = 2600 cm(-1)) intervalence charge-transfer band at 1800 nm, indicating a valence-averaged (Ru3.5)2 formulation (class III) with a tendency toward class II (borderline situation).     

A matrix isolation study of the C(s) symmetric OCNO(X 2A') radical

Here we report the first experimental detection of the C(s) symmetric nitroformyl radical, OCNO(X 2A') in a nitrogen-carbon dioxide matrix at 10 K using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The nu1 vibrational frequency was observed at 2113 cm(-1). This assignment was confirmed by follow-up experiments using isotopically labeled reactant molecules (15N, 18O, 13C). To synthesize this radical, we irradiated solid nitrogen-carbon dioxide ice mixtures with energetic electrons at 10 K. Suprathermal nitrogen atoms in their electronic ground and/or first electronically excited state were generated via the radiation induced degradation of molecular nitrogen; these atoms could then react with carbon dioxide to eventually yield the nitroformyl radical. We also investigated the kinetics of the formation of the nitroformyl radical and support the arguments with computations on the doublet and quartet OCNO potential energy surfaces (PESs).     

Near-infrared laser spectroscopy of NiI

Laser-induced fluorescence spectrum of NiI in the near infrared region of 714-770 nm has been recorded. Seven bands belonging to three electronic transition systems were observed and analyzed: the (0,0), (1,0), and (2,0) bands of [13.3] (2)Sigma(+)-A (2)Pi(3/2) system; the (1,1) and (0,1) bands of [13.9] (2)Pi(3/2)-X (2)Delta(5/2) system; and the (0,0) and (1,0) bands of [13.9] (2)Pi(3/2)-A (2)Pi(3/2) system. Spectra of isotopic molecules confirmed the vibrational quantum number assignment of the observed bands. Least-squares fit of rotationally resolved transition lines yielded accurate molecular constants for the v=0-2 levels of the [13.3] (2)Sigma(+) state, the v=0 level of the A (2)Pi(3/2), and the v=1 level of the X (2)Delta(5/2) state. The vibrational separation, DeltaG(1/2), of the ground state was measured to be 276.674 cm(-1). With the observation of the [13.9] (2)Pi(3/2)-A (2)Pi(3/2) and [13.9] (2)Pi(3/2)-X (2)Delta(5/2) transitions, we accurately determined the energy separation between the A (2)Pi(3/2) and the X (2)Delta(5/2) to be 163.847 cm(-1). This confirms that the order of the A (2)Pi(3/2) and X (2)Delta(5/2) states in NiI is reversed when compared with other nickel monohalides.     

Ligand and substrate effects in gas-phase reactions of NiX(+)/RH couples (X=F, Cl, Br, I; R=CH3, C2H5, nC3H7, nC4H9)

The reactions of small saturated hydrocarbons by gaseous nickel cations NiX+ (X=F, Cl, Br, I) are investigated by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The halide cations are obtained from solutions of the corresponding Ni(II) salts in water or methanol as solvents. NiF+ is the only Ni(II) halide complex that brings about thermal activation of methane. The branching ratios of the observed reactions with C2H6, C3H8, and nC4H10 are shifted systematically by changing the nature of both the ligand X and the substrate RH. In the elimination of HX (X=F, Cl, Br, I), the formal oxidation state of the metal ion appears to be conserved, and the importance of this reaction channel decreases in going from NiF+ to NiI+. A reversed trend is observed in the losses of small closed-shell neutral molecules, that is, H2, CH4 and C2H6, which dominate the gas-phase ion chemistry of NiI+/RH couples. Additionally, inner-sphere electron-transfer reactions take place for a few systems, that is, the delivery of hydride or methanide ions from the hydrocarbon to NiX+ in the course of which the hydrocarbon is converted to a carbenium ion and the cationic metal complex gives rise to a neutral RNiX molecule (R=H, CH3). This process gains importance with decreasing atomic number of the halides and with increasing the size of the alkane. Thus, it constitutes the major pathway in the reactions of NiF+ with propane and n-butane, whereas it is not observed for any of the NiI+/RH couples investigated. Concerning the regioselectivity of the reactions with propane and n-butane, heterolytic cleavage of secondary carbon--hydrogen bonds is clearly preferred compared to that of primary ones, as revealed by deuterium labeling studies. For the NiF+/C3H8 couple, the selectivity of the hydride transfer is as large as 360 in favor of the secondary positions. Though smaller, large preferences for the activation of secondary C--H bonds are also operative in homolytic bond activation of RH (R=nC3H7, nC4H9).