Aromaticity and Chemical Bonding of Chalcogen-Bonded Capsules Featuring Enhanced Magnetic Anisotropy

We present a theoretical study of chalcogen bonded container capsules ( A_X+A_X ) where X=O, S, Se, and Te, and their encapsulation complexes with n-C₉H₂₀ (n-C₉H₂₀@ A_X+A_X ). Both Se and Te encapsulation complexes have significant experimental and computed binding energies, analogous to the hydrogen bonded counterparts, while the S and O capsules and their encapsulation complexes show only weak binding energies, which are attributed to different types of bonding: chalcogen S⋅⋅⋅N bonds for S-capsules and π–π stacking and weak hydrogen bonds for the O case. All A_X+A_X and C₉H₂₀@ A_X+A_X present unusually high magnetic anisotropies in their interiors. The ¹H NMR spectra of the encapsulation complexes display the proton signals of the encapsulated n-nonane highly upfield shifted, in agreement with the available experimental data for the Se capsule. We found that different factors contribute to the observed magnetic anisotropy of the capsule's interior: for the Te capsule the most important factor is Te's large polarizability; for the O analogue the inductive effects produced by the electronegative nature of the O and N heteroatoms; and for the S and Se capsules, the polarizability of the heteroatoms combines with electric field effects.     

Encapsulation Chalcogen Anions in Perfluorinated Silicon Fullerene: X2−@Si20F20 (X=O,S, Se)

The structures and stabilities of cage Si₂₀F₂₀ and its endohedral complexes X²⁻@Si₂₀F₂₀ (X=O, S, Se) were determined at the B3LYP/6‐31G(d) levels of density functional theory (DFT). It is found that the adiabatic electron affinity (EA_ad) of host cage Si₂₀F₂₀ (I_h) is higher than that of isolated O atom (4.24 vs. 1.46 eV). This suggests the Si₂₀F₂₀ cage can selectively trap and stabilize the capsulated spherical anions. The calculations predict that X=S and Se are nearly located at the center of the cage, and O dramatically deviates from the center in C_3v symmetry. Moreover, the corresponding X²⁻@Si₂₀F₂₀ complexes have more negative inclusion energies (ΔE_inc) and thermodynamic parameters (ΔZ) than X²⁻@C₂₀F₂₀. The amount of charge that is being transferred from the encapsulated anions to the cage increases with the atomic radius, i.e., from O²⁻ (ca. 45%), S²⁻ (ca. 51%) to Se²⁻ (ca. 59%), and such a novel model of cage may have practical uses as potential and electrical building units of nanoscale materials.     

Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Structures of X−⋅⋅⋅CH2O (X=F,Cl, Br,I) Complexes

A combined experimental and theoretical approach has been used to investigate X⁻⋅⋅⋅CH₂O (X=F, Cl, Br, I) complexes in the gas phase. Photoelectron spectroscopy, in tandem with time-of-flight mass spectrometry, has been used to determine electron binding energies for the Cl⁻⋅⋅⋅CH₂O, Br⁻⋅⋅⋅CH₂O, and I⁻⋅⋅⋅CH₂O species. Additionally, high-level CCSD(T) calculations found a C_2v minimum for these three anion complexes, with predicted electron detachment energies in excellent agreement with the experimental photoelectron spectra. F⁻⋅⋅⋅CH₂O was also studied theoretically, with a C_s hydrogen-bonded complex found to be the global minimum. Calculations extended to neutral X⋅⋅⋅CH₂O complexes, with the results of potential interest to atmospheric CH₂O chemistry.     

Bingel–Hirsch Addition of Diethyl Bromomalonate to Ion-Encapsulated Fullerenes M@C60 (M=Ø, Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Cl−)

In the last 30 years, fullerene-based materials have become popular building blocks for devices with a broad range of applications. Among fullerene derivatives, endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs, M@C_x) have been widely studied owing to their unique properties and reactivity. For real applications, fullerenes and EMFs must be exohedrally functionalized. It has been shown that encapsulated metal cations facilitate the Diels–Alder reaction in fullerenes. Herein, the Bingel–Hirsch (BH) addition of ethyl bromomalonate over a series of ion-encapsulated M@C₆₀ (M=Ø, Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Cl⁻; Ø@C₆₀ stands for C₆₀ without any endohedral metal) is quantum mechanically explored to analyze the effect of these ions on the BH addition. The results show that the incarcerated ion has a very important effect on the kinetics and thermodynamics of this reaction. Among the systems studied, K⁺@C₆₀ is the one that leads to the fastest BH reaction, whereas the slowest reaction is given by Cl⁻@C₆₀.     

Pentafluoroethylaluminates: A Combined Synthetic,Spectroscopic, and Structural Study

Salts of the tetrakis(pentafluoroethyl)aluminate anion [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻ were obtained from AlCl₃ and LiC₂F₅. They were isolated with different counter-cations and characterized by NMR and vibrational spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Degradation of the [Al(C₂F₅)₄]⁻ ion was found to proceed via 1,2-fluorine shifts and stepwise loss of CF(CF₃) under formation of [(C₂F₅)_4−nAlF_n]⁻ (n=1–4) as assessed by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry and supported by results of DFT calculations. In addition, the [(C₂F₅)AlF₃]⁻ ion was structurally characterized.     

Four faces of the interaction between ions and aromatic rings

Non‐covalent interactions between ions and aromatic rings play an important role in the stabilization of macromolecular complexes; of particular interest are peptides and proteins containing aromatic side chains (Phe, Trp, and Tyr) interacting with negatively (Asp and Glu) and positively (Arg and Lys) charged amino acid residues. The structures of the ion–aromatic‐ring complexes are the result of an interaction between the large quadrupole moment of the ring and the charge of the ion. Four attractive interaction types are proposed to be distinguished based on the position of the ion with respect to the plane of the ring: perpendicular cation–π (CP_⊥), co‐planar cation–π (CP_∥), perpendicular anion–π (AP_⊥), and co‐planar anion–π (AP_∥). To understand more than the basic features of these four interaction types, a systematic, high‐level quantum chemical study is performed, using the X^– + C₆H₆, M⁺ + C₆H₆, X^– + C₆F₆, and M⁺ + C₆F₆ model systems with X⁻ = H⁻, F⁻, Cl⁻, HCOO⁻, CH₃COO⁻ and M⁺ = H⁺, Li⁺, Na⁺, , CH₃ , whereby C₆H₆ and C₆F₆ represent an electron‐rich and an electron‐deficient π system, respectively. Benchmark‐quality interaction energies with small uncertainties, obtained via the so‐called focal‐point analysis (FPA) technique, are reported for the four interaction types. The computations reveal that the interactions lead to significant stabilization, and that the interaction energy order, given in kcal mol⁻¹ in parentheses, is CP_⊥ (23–37) > AP_⊥ (14–21) > CP_∥ (9–22) > AP_∥ (6–16). A natural bond orbital analysis performed leads to a deeper qualitative understanding of the four interaction types. To facilitate the future quantum chemical characterization of ion–aromatic‐ring interactions in large biomolecules, the performance of three density functional theory methods, B3LYP, BHandHLYP, and M06‐2X, is tested against the FPA benchmarks, with the result that the M06‐2X functional performs best. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Secondary interactions in the iso­morphous compounds 2,6‐bis­(chloro­methyl)­pyridinium chloride and 2,6‐bis­(bromo­methyl)­pyridinium bromide

The title compounds, C₇H₈Cl₂N⁺·Cl⁻ and C₇H₈Br₂N⁺·Br⁻, are isomorphous. In the crystal packing, layers parallel to the ac plane are formed by a classical N⁺—H⋯X⁻ hydrogen bond (X = halogen) and two X⋯X contacts. A third X⋯X contact links the layers, and a fourth, which is however very long, completes a ladder‐like motif of halogen atoms. Hydro­gen bonds of the form C—H⋯X play at best a subordinate role in the packing.     

Protonated Ethylene Carbonate: A Highly Resonance-Stabilized Cation

Salts containing the monoprotonated ethylene carbonate species of were obtained by reacting it with the superacidic systems XF/MF₅ (X=H, D; M=Sb, As). The salts in terms of [C₃H₅O₃]⁺[SbF₆]⁻, [C₃H₅O₃]⁺[AsF₆]⁻ and [C₃H₄DO₃]⁺[AsF₆]⁻ were characterized by low-temperature infrared and Raman spectroscopy. In order to generate the diprotonated species of ethylene carbonate, an excess of Lewis acid was used. However, this only led to the formation of [C₃H₅O₃]⁺[Sb₂F₁₁]⁻, which was characterized by a single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. Quantum chemical calculations on the B3LYP/aug-cc-PVTZ level of theory were carried out for the [C₃H₅O₃]⁺ cation and the results were compared with the experimental data. A Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis revealed sp² hybridization of each atom belonging to the CO₃ moiety, thus containing a remarkably delocalized 6π-electron system. The delocalization is confirmed by a ¹³C NMR-spectroscopic study of [C₃H₅O₃]⁺[SbF₆]⁻.     

顺式效应的起源: 双取代乙烯衍生物的密度泛函理论研究

一般情况下双取代乙烯衍生物的反式构象要比顺式构象稳定. 但是例外也存在, 例如1,2-二氟乙烯和1,2-二氯乙烯. 这种双取代乙烯衍生物顺式构象的超常稳定性被称之为顺式效应. 该效应的起源和本质目前仍没有定论. 本文以12 个体系(XHC=CHY (X, Y=F, Cl, Br, CN, CH₃, C₂H₆, OCH₃))为例, 对顺式效应的有效性、起源和本质进行系统的密度泛函理论研究, 其中9个体系存在顺式效应, 另外3个为正常体系没有该效应. 采用一系列泛函和基组研究其有效性, 并运用四种分析手段, 如自然键轨道(NBO)、能量分量分析(EDA)、密度泛函活性理论(DFRT)和非共价相互作用(NCI)分析, 剖析该效应的起源和本质. 发现在顺式构象的两个取代基之间存在一种微弱的非共价相互吸引作用. 能量分析表明, 静电效应、立体效应等对顺式效应的存在都起着重要作用, 但是它们均不能单独用来解释顺式效应的起源. 也就是说顺式效应没有一个简单的起源, 它是多种作用合力的结果. 本文采用双变量解释得到比较合理的相关回归系数R²=0.86-0.87,较好地解释了顺式效应的本质和起源.     

Can Dative Bond Between Two Anions Possible?

Formation of a genuine chemical bond between two similarly charged fragments is beyond expectation. Any such interaction generally lies in the realm of non-covalent interaction. Herein, formation of a strong dative covalent bond between two anionic fragments is reported for the first time. Calculation using ab initio coupled cluster theory reveals the formation of an unprecedented strong H₃Be⁻←X⁻ (X⁻=CH₃⁻, CN⁻, OH⁻, F⁻) dative covalent bond. The calculated bond dissociation energies in polar solvents are significant, which indicates the possibility of their experimental realization.     

Strengthening of the C−F Bond in Fumaryl Fluoride with Superacids

The reaction of fumaryl fluoride with the superacidic solutions XF/MF₅ (X=H, D; M=As, Sb) results in the formation of the monoprotonated and diprotonated species, dependent on the stoichiometric ratio of the Lewis acid to fumaryl fluoride. The salts [C₄H₃F₂O₂]⁺[MF₆]⁻ (M=As, Sb) and [C₄H₂X₂F₂O₂]²⁺([MF₆]⁻)₂ (X=H, D; M=As, Sb) are the first examples with a protonated acyl fluoride moiety. They were characterized by low-temperature vibrational spectroscopy. Low-temperature NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray structure analyses were carried out for [C₄H₃F₂O₂]⁺[SbF₆]⁻ as well as for [C₄H₄F₂O₂]²⁺([MF₆]⁻)₂ (M=As, Sb). The experimental results are discussed together with quantum chemical calculations of the cations [C₄H₄F₂O₂ ⋅ 2 HF]²⁺ and [C₄H₃F₂O₂ ⋅ HF]⁺ at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. In addition, electrostatic potential (ESP) maps combined with natural population analysis (NPA) charges were calculated in order to investigate the electron distribution and the charge-related properties of the diprotonated species. The C−F bond lengths in the protonated dication are considerably reduced on account of the +R effect.     

One- and Two-Electron Transfer Oxidation of 1,4-Disilabenzene with Formation of Stable Radical Cations and Dications

Electron-transferable oxidants such as B(C₆F₅)₃/nBuLi, B(C₆F₅)₃/LiB(C₆F₅)₄, B(C₆F₅)₃/LiHBEt₃, Al(C₆F₅)₃/(o-RC₆H₄)AlH₂ (R=N(CMe₂CH₂)₂CH₂), B(C₆F₅)₃/AlEt₃, Al(C₆F₅)₃, Al(C₆F₅)₃/nBuLi, Al(C₆F₅)₃/AlMe₃, (CuC₆F₅)₄, and Ag₂SO₄, respectively were employed for reactions with (L)₂Si₂C₄(SiMe₃)₂(C₂SiMe₃)₂ (L=PhC(NtBu)₂, 1 ). The stable radical cation [ 1 ]^+. was formed and paired with the anions [nBuB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 2 ), [B(C₆F₅)₄]⁻ (in 3 ), [HB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 4 ), [EtB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 5 ), {[(C₆F₅)₃Al]₂(μ-F)]⁻ (in 6 ), [nBuAl(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ (in 7 ), and [Cu(C₆F₅)₂]⁻ (in 8 ), respectively. The stable dication [ 1 ]²⁺ was also generated with the anions [EtB(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ ( 9 ) and [MeAl(C₆F₅)₃]⁻ ( 10 ), respectively. In addition, the neutral compound [(L)₂Si₂C₄(SiMe₃)₂(C₂SiMe₃)₂][μ-O₂S(O)₂] ( 11 ) was obtained. Compounds 2 – 11 are characterized by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and elemental analysis. Compounds 2 – 8 are analyzed by EPR spectroscopy and compounds 9 – 11 by NMR spectroscopy. The structure features are discussed on the central Si₂C₄-rings of 1 , [ 1 ]^+., [ 1 ]²⁺, and 11 , respectively.     

Competition between reactivity and relaxation in free electron attachment to molecules

The reactivity of the C₆F₅X (X=F, Cl, Br, I) molecules following low energy (0–15 eV) electron attachment is studied in the gas phase under single collision conditions, free molecular clusters and condensed molecules by means of crossed beams and surface experiments. All four molecules exhibit a very prominent resonance for low energy electron attachment (<1 eV, attachment cross section >10⁻¹⁴ cm²). Under collision free conditions thermal electron capture generates long lived molecular parent anions C₆F₅X^−*. Along the line Cl, Br, I dissociation into X⁻+C₆F₅ and X+C₆F₅-increasingly competes until for X=1 only chemical fragmentation is observed on the mass spectrometric time scale. In free molecular clusters chemical fragmentation is quantitatively quenched at low energies in favour of associative attachment yielding undissociated, relaxed ions (C₆F₅X)⁻ _n,n≥1. A further dissociative resonance at 6.5 eV in C₆F₅Cl is considerably enhanched in clusters. If these molecules are finally condensed on a solid surface, one observes a prominent Cl⁻ desorption resonance at 6.5 eV. While the quantitative quenching of the chemical reactivity at low energies is due to the additional possibilities of energy dissipation under aggregation, the enhanched reactivity at 6.5 eV is interpreted by the conversion of a core excited open channel resonance in single molecules into a closed channel (Feshbach) resonance when it is coupled to environmental molecules.     

Theoretical studies of structures and stabilities of endohedral fullerenes X0/n+ @C32 (X = H,Li, Na,K, Be,Mg, Ca,B, Al,C, Si,N, P,n = 1–3)

Based on the D₃ C₃₂ fullerene, the equilibrium geometries, electronic structures, and binding energies of the endohedral fullerenes X^0/n+@C₃₂ (X = H, Li, Na, K, Be, Mg, Ca, B, Al, C, Si, N, P, n = 1–3) have been calculated using the DFT/B3LYP/6‐31G(d) method. The results show that the C₃₂ cages are slightly enlarged due to encapsulation, and the sizes of non‐neutral molecules are smaller than the corresponding neutral ones. Cages containing Li, Na, and Ca and most of the cations, except Na⁺ and K⁺, are energetically favorable. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2007     

Borane‐Stabilized Isomeric Dimers of the Phosphaethynolate Anion

The reactions of the phosphaethynolate anion ([PCO]⁻) with a range of boranes were explored. BPh₃ and [PCO]⁻ form a dimeric anion featuring P−B bonds and is prone to dissociation at room temperature. The more Lewis acidic borane B(C₆F₅)₃ yields a less symmetric dimer of [PCO]⁻ with P−B and P−O bonds. Less sterically demanding HB(C₆F₅)₂ and H₂B(C₆F₅) boranes form a third isomer with [PCO]⁻ featuring both boranes bound to the same phosphorus atom. Despite the unexpected thermodynamic preference for P‐coordination, computational data illustrate that electronic and steric features impact the binding modes of the resulting dianionic dimers.     

Self-Adaptive Re-Organization Enables Polythiophene as an Extraordinary Cathode Material for Aluminum-Ion Batteries with a Cycle Life of 100 000 Cycles

Aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) have attracted great attentions in recent years. Organic materials such as polythiophene (PT) are promising cathode for AIBs. However, the capacity and cyclic stability of conventional organic cathode such as PT are limited by the inadequate degree of reaction and the unstable nature of organic materials. To obtain high-performance organic cathode, a new PT with the ability of self-adaptive re-organization was prepared. During cycling, its molecular chain can be re-organized, and the polymerization mode will change from C_α−C_α (α-PT) to C_β−C_β (β-PT). This change leads to smaller steric hindrance and faster kinetics during ion insertion which can lower the reaction energy barrier and stabilize the molecular structure. Benefited by this, AIBs with this cathode can deliver a specific capacity of 180 mAh g⁻¹ (@2 A g⁻¹) and a superb stability of 100 000 cycles at 10 A g⁻¹. High energy density and power density can also be achieved with this cathode.     

Symmetry-Driven Assembly of a Penta-Shell Keplerate Cuprofullerene for Metallofullerene Frameworks

Two metallofullerene frameworks (MFFs) constructed from a penta-shell Keplerate cuprofullerene chloride, C₆₀@Cu₂₄@Cl₄₄@Cu₁₂@Cl₁₂, have been successfully prepared via a C₆₀-templated symmetry-driven strategy. The icosahedral cuprofullerene chloride is assembled on a C₆₀ molecule through [η²-(C=C)]−Cu^I and Cu^I−Cl coordination bonds, resulting in the penta-shell Keplerate with the C₆₀ core canopied by 24 Cu, 44 Cl, 12 Cu and 12 Cl atoms that fulfill the tic @ rco @ oae @ ico @ ico penta-shell polyhedral configuration. By sharing the outmost-shell Cl atoms, the cuprofullerene chlorides are connected into 2D or 3D ( snf net) frameworks. TD-DFT calculations reveal that the charge transfer from the outmost Cu^I and Cl to C₆₀ core is responsible for their light absorption expansion to near-infrared region, implying anionic halogenation may be an effective strategy to tune the light absorption properties of metallofullerene materials.     

First Synthesis and Characterization of CH4@C60

The endohedral fullerene CH₄@C₆₀, in which each C₆₀ fullerene cage encapsulates a single methane molecule, has been synthesized for the first time. Methane is the first organic molecule, as well as the largest, to have been encapsulated in C₆₀ to date. The key orifice contraction step, a photochemical desulfinylation of an open fullerene, was completed, even though it is inhibited by the endohedral molecule. The crystal structure of the nickel(II) octaethylporphyrin/ benzene solvate shows no significant distortion of the carbon cage, relative to the C₆₀ analogue, and shows the methane hydrogens as a shell of electron density around the central carbon, indicative of the quantum nature of the methane. The ¹H spin‐lattice relaxation times (T₁) for endohedral methane are similar to those observed in the gas phase, indicating that methane is freely rotating inside the C₆₀ cage. The synthesis of CH₄@C₆₀ opens a route to endofullerenes incorporating large guest molecules and atoms.     

Complexation and Versatile Reactivity of a Highly Lewis Acidic Cationic Mg Complex with Alkynes and Phosphines

[(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 1 ; BDI=CH[C(CH₃)NDipp]₂; Dipp=2,6-diisopropylphenyl) was prepared by reaction of (BDI)MgnPr with [Ph₃C⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻]. Addition of 3-hexyne gave [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ (EtC≡CEt)][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻]. Single-crystal X-ray analysis, NMR investigations, Raman spectra, and DFT calculations indicate a significant Mg-alkyne interaction. Addition of the terminal alkynes PhC≡CH or Me₃SiC≡CH led to alkyne deprotonation by the BDI ligand to give [(BDI-H)Mg⁺(C≡CPh)]₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 2 , 70 %) and [(BDI-H)Mg⁺(C≡CSiMe₃)]₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 3 , 63 %). Addition of internal alkynes PhC≡CPh or PhC≡CMe led to [4+2] cycloadditions with the BDI ligand to give {Mg⁺C(Ph)=C(Ph)C[C(Me)=NDipp]₂}₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 4 , 53 %) and {Mg⁺C(Ph)=C(Me)C[C(Me)=NDipp]₂}₂ ⋅ 2 [B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 5 , 73 %), in which the Mg center is N,N,C-chelated. The (BDI)Mg⁺ cation can be viewed as an intramolecular frustrated Lewis pair (FLP) with a Lewis acidic site (Mg) and a Lewis (or Brønsted) basic site (BDI). Reaction of [(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 1 ) with a range of phosphines varying in bulk and donor strength generated [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PPh₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 6 ), [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PCy₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 7 ), and [(BDI)Mg⁺ ⋅ PtBu₃][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] ( 8 ). The bulkier phosphine PMes₃ (Mes=mesityl) did not show any interaction. Combinations of [(BDI)Mg⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄⁻] and phosphines did not result in addition to the triple bond in 3-hexyne, but during the screening process it was discovered that the cationic magnesium complex catalyzes the hydrophosphination of PhC≡CH with HPPh₂, for which an FLP-type mechanism is tentatively proposed.     

High-Resolution Threshold Photoelectron Spectroscopy by Vacuum Ultraviolet Laser Velocity-Map-Imaging Method

We have obtained the high-resolution threshold photoelectron (TPE) spectra of chlorobenzene C₆H₅Cl (X¹A₁), propargyl radical C₃H₃ (X²B₁), and allyl radical C₃H₅ (X²A₁) by employing the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser velocity-map-imaging-TPE (VUV-VMI-TPE) method. The photoelectron energy resolution of 1-2 cm^-1 observed for the VUV-VMI-TPE method is comparable to that achieved in VUV laser pulsed-field ionization-photoelectron (VUV-PFI-PE) measurements. Similar to VUV-PFI-PE measurements, the energy resolutions for VUV-VMI-photoelectron (VUV-VMI-PE) and VUV-VMI-TPE measurements are found to depend on the dc electric field F in V/cm used at the photoionization region for electron extraction. The decrease of the ionization thresholds of C₆H₅Cl and C₃H₃ observed as a function of F shows that the Stark shift correction for VUV-VMI-TPE measurements is governed by the formula -3.1√F in cm^-1, which is half of the classical prediction of -6.1√F in cm^-1.} We have also measured the VUV-VMI-PE spectra of C₆H₅Cl and C₃H₅ at VUV energies near their ionization thresholds. The cationic vibrational bands observed in the VUV-VMI-PE measurements were assigned to be the vibrational progression, nv₇⁺ (n=0-3), for C₃H₅⁺. The higher experimental sensitivity and similar energy resolutions achieved in VUV-VMI-TPE compared to VUV-PFI-PE measurements make the VUV-VMI-TPE method an excellent alternative for high-resolution VUV-PFI-PE measurements.