A theoretical investigation on the structures of (NH3)·(H2SO4)·(H2O)0-14 clusters

Ternary clusters (NH₃)·(H₂SO₄)·(H₂O)_n have been widely studied. However, the structures and binding energies of relatively larger cluster (n > 6) remain unclear, which hinders the study of other interesting properties. Ternary clusters of (NH₃)·(H₂SO₄)·(H₂O)_n, n = 0-14, were investigated using MD simulations and quantum chemical calculations. For n = 1, a proton was transferred from H₂SO₄ to NH₃. For n = 10, both protons of H₂SO₄ were transferred to NH₃ and H₂O, respectively. The NH₄⁺ and HSO₄⁻ formed a contact ion-pair [NH₄⁺-HSO₄⁻] for n = 1-6 and a solvent separated ion-pair [NH₄⁺-H₂O-HSO₄⁻] for n = 7-9. Therefore, we observed two obvious transitions from neutral to single protonation (from H₂SO₄ to NH₃) to double protonation (from H₂SO₄ to NH₃ and H₂O) with increasing n. In general, the structures with single protonation and solvated ion-pair were higher in entropy than those with double protonation and contact ion-pair of single protonation and were thus preferred at higher temperature. As a result, the inversion between single and double protonated clusters was postponed until n = 12 according to the average binding Gibbs free energy at the normal condition. These results can serve as a good start point for studies of the other properties of these clusters and as a model for the solvation of the [H₂SO₄-NH₃] complex in bulk water.     

Investigation of lacidipine,a new 1,4-dihydropyridine antihypertensive agent and three chemically related compounds by means of chemical ionization,mass spectrometry and collision-induced dissociation

Chemical ionization of two 1,4-dihydropyridines, lacidipine and its Z-isomer, and their corresponding pyridines in three different reagent gases and the collision-induced dissociation (CID) of their respective mass-selected protonated molecular ions in the collision energy range 10–200 eV were performed on a multiple quadrupole instrument. The weakness of the Breasted acid NH₄⁺ as a protonating agent is clearly manifested in one of the ammonia positive-ion chemical ionization (CI⁺) mass spectra which displays the addition ion, [M + NH₄]⁺, as the favoured reaction channel. The stereochemistry of the precursor molecules, the exothermicity of the protonation process and the threshold of certain dissociation channels as a function of the collision energy are among the arguments invoked to explain some of the observed differences between the CI⁺ mass spectra and the CID data of the different isomers investigated. In an attempt to present a more comprehensive study, some high-performance liquid chromatographic retention times and resolutions are also given.     

Gas‐phase fragmentation reactions of protonated benzofuran‐ and dihydrobenzofuran‐type neolignans investigated by accurate‐mass electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

We have investigated gas‐phase fragmentation reactions of protonated benzofuran neolignans (BNs) and dihydrobenzofuran neolignans (DBNs) by accurate‐mass electrospray ionization tandem and multiple‐stage (MSⁿ) mass spectrometry combined with thermochemical data estimated by Computational Chemistry. Most of the protonated compounds fragment into product ions B ([M + H–MeOH]⁺), C ([ B –MeOH]⁺), D ([ C –CO]⁺), and E ([ D –CO]⁺) upon collision‐induced dissociation (CID). However, we identified a series of diagnostic ions and associated them with specific structural features. In the case of compounds displaying an acetoxy group at C‐4, product ion C produces diagnostic ions K ([ C –C₂H₂O]⁺), L ([ K –CO]⁺), and P ([ L –CO]⁺). Formation of product ions H ([ D –H₂O]⁺) and M ([ H –CO]⁺) is associated with the hydroxyl group at C‐3 and C‐3′, whereas product ions N ([ D –MeOH]⁺) and O ([ N –MeOH]⁺) indicate a methoxyl group at the same positions. Finally, product ions F ([ A –C₂H₂O]⁺), Q ([ A –C₃H₆O₂]⁺), I ([ A –C₆H₆O]⁺), and J ([ I –MeOH]⁺) for DBNs and product ion G ([ B –C₂H₂O]⁺) for BNs diagnose a saturated bond between C‐7′ and C‐8′. We used these structure‐fragmentation relationships in combination with deuterium exchange experiments, MSⁿ data, and Computational Chemistry to elucidate the gas‐phase fragmentation pathways of these compounds. These results could help to elucidate DBN and BN metabolites in in vivo and in vitro studies on the basis of electrospray ionization ESI‐CID‐MS/MS data only.     

Ion–molecule reactions in the gas phase. XVIII.—nucleophilic substitution of diastereomeric norborneols,norbornyl acetates and benzoates under ammonia chemical ionization

The comparative behaviour of the endo- and exo-norborneols and diastereomeric derivatives (acetates and benzoates) towards the NH₃/NH₄⁺ system was investigated. It appears that the proton affinity (PA) of the substrate relative to Pa(NH₃) strongly influences competition between the protonation and nucleophilic substitution processes yielding the MH⁺ and [M + NH₄ ? H₂O]⁺ ions, respectively. Tandem mass spectrometry was used to compare collision-activated dissociation spectra of [M + NH₄ ? H₂O]⁺ with those of analogous endo- and exo-norbornylamines protonated in the source. This demonstrates that an S_Nimechanism occurs specifically for the isomeric norborneols; in contrast, for acetates and benzoates, stereospecific S_Ni and S_N2 pathways take place for exo and endo derivatives, respectively. This particular behaviour is explained by considering the steric effect induced by the endo-H at C(6). In addition, the competitive decompositions of [M + NH₄ – H₂O]⁺ into NH₄⁺ and [C₇H₁₁]⁺ daughter ions are consistent with the formation of a proton-bound complex intermediate. The observed stereochemical effects for these dauther ions are rationalized by means of arguments based on the estimated heats of formation of the transition states, which is lower for the exo-norbonyl protonated amine, consistent with anchimeric assistance, rather than a stepwise pathway which is proposed for the endoisomer.     

Theoretical studies on the structure and protonation of Cu(II) complexes of a series of tripodal aliphatic tetraamines: Good correlations with the experimental data

DFT(B3LYP) studies on first protonation step of a series of Cu(II) complexes of some tripodal tetraamines with general formula N[(CH₂)_nNH₂][(CH₂)_mNH₂][(CH₂)_pNH₂] (n = m = p = 2, tren; n = 3, m = p = 2, pee; n = m = 3, p = 2, ppe; n = m = 3, tpt; n = 2, m = 3, p = 4, epb; and n = m = 3, p = 4; ppb) are reported. First, the gas‐phase proton macroaffinity of all latter complexes was calculated with considering following simple reaction: [Cu(L)]²⁺(g) + H⁺(g) → [Cu(HL)]³⁺(g). The results showed that there is a good correlation between the calculated proton macroaffinities of all complexes with their stability constants in solution. Then, we tried to determine the possible reliable structures for microspecies involved in protonation process of above complexes. The results showed that, similar to the solid state, the [Cu(L)(H₂O)]²⁺ and [Cu(HL)(H₂O)₂]³⁺ are most stable species for latter complexes and their protonated form, respectively, at gas phase. We found that there are acceptable correlations between the formation constants of above complexes with both the ? and ? of following reaction: [Cu(L)(H₂O)]²⁺(g) + H⁺(g) + H₂O(g) → [Cu(HL)(H₂O)₂]³⁺(g). The ? of the latter reaction can be defined as a theoretically solvent–proton macroaffinity of reactant complexes because they have gained one proton and one molecule of the solvent. The unknown formation constant of [Cu(epb)]²⁺ complex was also predicted from the observed correlations. In addition, the first proton affinity of all complexes was studied in solution using DPCM and CPCM methods. It was shown that there is an acceptable correlation between the solvent–proton affinities of [Cu(L)(H₂O)]²⁺ complexes with formation constants of [Cu(HL)(H₂O)₂]³⁺ complexes in solution. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010     

Observations of magic numbers in gas phase hydrates of alkylammonium ions

Hydration of alkylammonium ions under nonanalytical electrospray ionization conditions has been found to yield cluster ions with more than 20 water molecules associated with the central ion. These cluster ion species are taken to be an approximation of the conditions in liquid water. Many of the alkylammonium cation mass spectra exhibit water cluster numbers that appear to be particularly favorable, i.e., “magic number clusters” (MNC). We have found MNC in hydrates of mono- and tetra-alkyl ammonium ions, NH₃(C _m H_2m+1)⁺(H₂O) _n , m=1–8 and N(C _m H_2m+1) ₄ ⁺ (H₂O) _n , m=2–8. In contrast, NH₂(CH₃) ₂ ⁺ (H₂O) _n , NH(CH₃) ₃ ⁺ (H₂O) _n1 and N(CH₃) ₄ ⁺ (H₂O) _n do not exhibit any MNC. We conjecture that the structures of these magic number clusters correspond to exohedral structures in which the ion is situated on the surface of the water cage in contrast to the widely accepted caged ion structures of H₃O⁺(H₂O) _n and NH ₄ ⁺ (H₂O) _n .     

Collision-induced dissociation studies of protonated alcohol and alcohol—water clusters by atmospheric pressure ionization tandem mass spectrometry. 1?Methanol

Cluster size distribution and collision-induced dissociation (CID) studies of protonated methanol and protonated methanol—water clusters yield information on the structure and energetics of such ions. Ions were formed at atmospheric pressure in a corona discharge source, and were subjected to CID in the center quadrupole of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Cluster ions containing up to 13 molecules of methanol and/or water were observed and examined using CID experiments. The CID of all (CH₃OH)_n · H₂O · H⁺ clusters, where n ? 8, showed that water loss was statistically favored over methanol loss and that the preferred dissociation channel involved loss of water with methanol molecules. These results support a model employing a chain of hydrogen-bonded solvent molecules rather than one in which fused rings of ligands surround a central hydronium ion. However, CID of larger clusters, where n ? 9, showed that loss of one methanol was equal to or less than loss of water, reflecting a change in structure.     

Structure and fragmentation of [C3H7O]+ ions formed by chemical ionization

The unimolecular metastable and collision-induced fragmentation reactions of [C₃H₇O]⁺ ions produced by gas-phase protonation of acetone, propanal, propylene oxide, oxetan and allyl alcohol have been studied. The CID studies show that protonation of acetone and allyl alcohol yield different stable ions with distinct structures while protonation of propanal or propylene oxide yield [C₃H₇O]⁺ ions of the same structure. Protonated oxetan rearranges less readily to give the same structure(s) as protonated propanal and propylene oxide. The [C₃H₇O]⁺ ions fragmenting as metastable ions after formation by CI have a higher internal energy than the same ions fragmenting after formation by EI. Deuteronation of the C₃H₆O isomers using CD₄ reagent gas shows that loss of C₂H₃D proceeds by a different mechanism than loss of C₂H₄. The results are discussed in terms of potential energy profile for the [C₃H₇O]⁺˙ system proposed earlier.     

Guest‐Induced 2‐D Metallopolycapsular Networks Based on a 1,3‐Alternate Calix[4]arene Derivative

Solvothermal reactions of the calix[4]arene tetraacetic acid (H₄CTA) with zinc nitrate in the presence of α,ω‐diaminoalkanes afford two‐dimensional metallopolycapsular networks of the formula {[Me₂NH₂]₂[G@(Zn₂(CTA)₂)] ? (DMF)₂ ? (H₂O)₄}_n (G=⁺NH₃–(CH₂)_n–NH₃⁺, n=2, 3, 4; DMF=N,N‐dimethylformamide). These metallopolycapsular networks are built up of metallocapsules that consist of two CTA and two Zn^II ions. Short alkanediyldiammonium (⁺NH₃–(CH₂)_n–NH₃⁺, n=2, 3, 4) guest ions are accommodated in each capsule of the metallopolycapsular network through a variety of supramolecular interactions. The thermal behaviours and the solid‐state photoluminescent properties of these complexes were also investigated.     

Molecular beam multiphoton-ionization studies on ammonia—water binary clusters

Two-photon ionization mass spectra are obtained for NH₃H₂O binary clusters both with a nozzle beam and an ArF excimer laser. The detected major ions are H⁺(NH₃)_n(H₂O)_m(1 <m + n < 9). The results suggest that ammonia molecules constitute an inner shell which is surrounted by water molecules.     

The effect of basis set superposition error on the convergence of interaction energies

 For the intermolecular interaction energies of ion-water clusters [OH⁻(H₂O) _n (n=1,2), F⁻(H₂O), Cl⁻(H₂O), H₃O⁺(H₂O) _n (n=1,2), and NH₄ ⁺(H₂O) _n (n=1,2)] calculated with correlation-consistent basis sets at MP2, MP4, QCISD(T), and CCSD(T) levels, the basis set superposition error is nearly zero in the complete basis set (CBS) limit. That is, the counterpoise-uncorrected intermolecular interaction energies are nearly equal to the counterpoise-corrected intermolecular interaction energies in the CBS limit. When the basis set is smaller, the counterpoise-uncorrected intermolecular interaction energies are more reliable than the counterpoise-corrected intermolecular interaction energies. The counterpoise-uncorrected intermolecular interaction energies evaluated using the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level is reliable. Received: 14 March 2001 / Accepted: 25 April 2001 / Published online: 9 August 2001     

Muttiphoton Ionization of Benzene-Ammonia Clusters: Intracluster Reaction and Cluster Ion Stability

Neutral benzene-ammonia clusters, prepared in a supersonic expansion, were ionized using multiphoton ionization. The cluster ions were investigated with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The observed major cluster ions, under 355-nm laser irradiation, resulting from prompt intracluster ion-molecule reaction and fragmentation following ionization are (C₆H₆)_m(NH₃)_nH⁺, m = 1–6, n = 1–4 and (C₆H₆)_m⁺, m = 1–3. The results of isotopic labeling experiments clearly indicate that C₆H₆ does not participate in intracluster ion-molecule reactions to form (C₆H₆)_m(NH₃)_nH⁺. A local maximum appears at n = 2 in the intensity distribution of (C₆H₆)_m(NH₃) _nH⁺ for each value of m under all experimental conditions. This finding indicates that (C₆H₆)_m(NH₃)₂H⁺ is more stable than any other (C₆H₅)_m(NH₃)_mH⁺ (n = 1,3,4) for m = 1–6.     

Mass-analysed ion kinetic energy and collisionally induced dissociation mass spectra of clusters of acetylated xylo-oligosaecharides with protonated ammonia and methylannine

Per-O-acetylated methyl glycosides of D -xylan-type di- and trisaccharides were studied by mass-analysed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) and collisionally induced dissociation (CID) mass Spectrometry using protonated ammonia and methylamine, respectively, as reaction gases in chemical ionization (CI). The oligosaccharides form abundant cluster ions, [M + NH₄]⁺ or [M + CH₃NH₃]⁺, and the main fragmentation of these ions in the MIKE and CID spectra is the cleavage of interglycosidic linkages. Thus, CI (NH₃) or CI (CH₃NH₂) spectra in combination with the MIKE or CID spectra allow the molecular masses, the masses of monosaccharide units and the branching point in oligosaccharides to be established. In the case of disaccharides, it is possible to distinguish the (1 → 2) linkage from the other types of linkages.     

Electron impact ionization of ethylene–methanol heteroclusters: Stable configurations and mechanisms in intracluster ion–molecule reactions

Reactions that proceed within mixed ethylene–methanol cluster ions were studied using an electron impact time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The ion abundance ratio, [(C₂H₄)_n(CH₃OH)_mH⁺]/[(C₂H₄)_n(CH₃OH)_m⁺], shows a propensity to increase as the ethylene/methanol mixing ratio increases, indicating that the proton is preferentially bound to a methanol molecule in the heterocluster ions. The results from isotope-labelling experiments indicate that the effective formation of a protonated heterocluster is responsible for ethylene molecules in the clusters. The observed (C₂H₄)_n(CH₃OH)_m⁺ and (C₂H₄)_n(CH₃OH)_m–1CH₃O⁺ ions are interpreted as a consequence of the ion–neutral complex and intracluster ion–molecule reaction, respectively. Experimental evidence for the stable configurations of heterocluster species is found from the distinct abundance distributions of these ions and also from the observation of fragment peaks in the mass spectra. Investigations on the relative cluster ion distribution under various conditions suggest that (C₂H₄)_n(CH₃OH)_mH⁺ ions with n + m ≤ 3 have particularly stable structures. The result is understood on the basis of ion–molecule condensation reactions, leading to the formation of fragment ions, $ {\rm CH}_2=\!=\mathop {\rm O}\limits^ + {\rm CH}_3 $ and (CH₃OH)H₃O⁺, and the effective stabilization by a polar molecule. The reaction energies of proposed mechanisms are presented for (C₂H₄)_n(CH₃OH)_mH⁺(n + m ≤ 3) using semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations.     

Stereoselective [2+2] photocycloaddition in bispseudosandwich complexes of bis(18-crown-6) stilbene with alkanediammonium ions

Due to hydrogen bonding, bis(18-crown-6) stilbene forms 1 : 1, 1 : 2, and 2 : 2 complexes with H₃N⁺(CH₂) _n NH₃ ⁺ 2ClO₄ ⁻ salts (n = 2—10, 12). The length of the polymethylene chain in the diammonium ions affects the phototransformation direction of stilbene and the composition of the products. In the 2: 2 bispseudosandwich complexes with relatively short alkanediammonium ions (n = 2—4), the stereoselective reaction of [2+2] photocycloaddition proceeds to form mainly the rctt-isomer of the cyclobutane derivative. The structure of rctt-cyclobutane derivative as a complex with H₃N⁺(CH₂)₄NH₃ ⁺2ClO₄ ^- was confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis.     

Chemical ionization mass spectra of selected C3H6O compounds

The chemical ionization mass spectra of five isomers of C₃H₆O (acetone, propionaldehyde, oxetane, propylene oxide and allyl alcohol) have been determined using a variety of reagent gases (H₂, D₂, N₂/H₂, CO₂/H₂ and CO/H₂). The [C₃H₇O]⁺ ions produced by protonation of these isomers undergo very similar reactions to those reported for analogous [C₃H₇O]⁺ metastable ions; however, decomposing ions generated by chemical ionization appear to have somewhat higher internal energies. The results of ²H labelling studies (D₂ reagent gas or labelled analogues of C₃H₆O) indicate that protonation occurs mainly on oxygen and are consistent with previous investigations of metastable oxonium ions. The protonated acetone ion is particularly stable, in agreement with the higher activation energies for fragmentation of this isomer than for other [C₃H₇O]⁺ structures. As the calculated heat of protonation of C₃H₆O is reduced by changing the reagent gas, so the extent to which fragmentation occurs decreases. This is discussed in the context of competition between fragmentation and collisional stabilization of the excited [C₃H₇O]⁺* ion. It is concluded that on average a large fraction (approaching 1) of the exothermicity of the protonation reaction resides in the [C₃H₇O]⁺* ions produced initially.     

Reaction of ammonia with accelerated benzoyl ions under multiple-collison conditions in a triple quadrupole instrument

The reaction of benzoyl ion with ammonia in multiple-collision conditions in the second quadrupole assembly of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer at (laboratory) ion kinetic energies from 0 to 20 eV produced the even-electron ions [C₆H₅]⁺, [C₆H₅NH₃·(NH₃)_m]⁺ (m = 0, 1) and [C₆H₅CONH₃·(NH₃)_n]⁺ (n = 0, 1, 2, 3) and the odd-electron ions [C₆H₄NH₃·(NH₃)_p]⁺· (p = 0, 1). Thermochemical information could not be obtained under multiple-collision conditions: both exothermic and endothermic reactions were observed, with no translational-energy onset measurable for the endothermic processes, nor decrease in the yield of the exothermic processes at high energies. The behaviour of cluster-ion intensities as pressure varied was qualitatively as expected. There are pressure and energy regions where spectra change little; if this feature were to be general, it would point to some utility for these conditions in qualitative analysis.     

Examples of cation exchange in new ionic oxovanadium(IV) complexes with anions of cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid

The results on the synthesis and study of the crystal structures of compounds based on anionic fragments {VO(Cbdc)₂}^2– formed by oxovanadium(IV) (vanadyl, VO²⁺) and two chelate-bound anions of cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid (H₂Cbdc = C₄H₆(COOH)₂) are presented. The use of ammonium cation NH₄⁺ as a counterion in the synthesis leads to the formation of the mononuclear complex (NH₄)₂[VO(Сbdc)₂(H₂O)] · 2H₂O (I). In the case of K⁺ cation, compound [K₄(VO)₂(Сbdc)₄(H₂O)₄] _n (II) with the 3D polymeric crystal structure is formed. The reaction of compound II with Mg(NO3)2 · 6H₂O in an aqueous solution involves the partial substitution of K⁺ by Mg²⁺ cations to form 1D polymeric compound {[KMg_0.5(VO)(Сbdc)₂(H₂O)_6.5] · 3H₂O} _n (III), while a similar reaction of compound I does not afford the product of substitution of NH₄⁺ by Mg²⁺ cations (CIF files CCDC 1551021–1551023 for compounds I–III, respectively).     

Hydrothermal Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Characterizations of Two New Manganese(II) Phosphonates with a 3D Framework Structure

Two new manganese(II) phosphonates, (NH₄)Mn_2.5[(O₃PCH(OH)CO₂)₂(H₂O)] ( 1 ) and [NH₃(CH₂)₄NH₃]_0.5Mn_2.5[(O₃PCH(OH)CO₂)₂(H₂O)] ( 2 ) have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction as well as with infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and thermogravimetric analysis. The two isomorphous compounds feature a 3D framework structure. The Mn(1)O₆ and Mn(3)O₅ polyhedra are bridged by the CPO₃ tetraheda into a Mn^II phosphonate layer in ac‐plane. Mn(2)O₆ polyhedra are linked to each other by CPO₃ tetraheda to form infinite chains, which are connected to layers by carboxylate groups to form a 3D framework structure with channels along the a‐ and c‐axis, respectively. The NH₄⁺ ions or protonated 1, 4‐butylenediamine cations are located inside the channels along the a axis.