An electron impact study of HCN elimination from indole by use of 13C labelling

The study of the loss of HCN from the molecular ions of [2-¹³C]indole and [3-¹³C]indole shows that, to a good approximation, only the two carbon atoms of the pentagonal ring are involved in this fragmentation process, contrary to the behaviour of the H atoms; the C-2 atom is eliminated predominantly, chiefly in the ion source (85–90%) and a little less in the metastable energy range (75–80%). The losses of ¹³CCH₃^˙ and C₂H₃^˙ from the [M? H¹²CN]^+˙ ions of the two compounds suggest the occurrence of different structures, providing evidence for several mechanisms of HCN elimination.     

An unusual pathway for the elimination of hydrogen cyanide from benzonitrile upon electron impact as revealed by 13C and 15N labelling

It is shown by ¹⁵N and specific ¹³C labelling that ～50% of the molecules of hydrogen cyanide, eliminated within ～10^?6 s upon electron impact of benzonitrile, contains the original cyano carbon atom, whereas the remaining percentage contains one of the phenyl ring carbon atoms at random. This is even more dramatic for the molecular ions of benzonitrile which decompose in the first and second field-free regions of the VG Micromass ZAB-2F high-field mass spectrometer used. Then only 5–7% of the eliminated molecules of hydrogen cyanide contains the original cyano carbon atom. A cycloaddition-cycloreversion process in the molecular ions, leading to ionized 1-cyano-1,3-hexadien-5-yne as an intermediate in the hydrogen cyanide loss, is proposed to explain this.     

Ab initio and RRKM study of the HCN/HNC elimination channels from vinyl cyanide

Ab initio CCSD and CCSD(T) calculations with the 6-311+G(2d,2p) and the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis sets were carried out to characterize the vinyl cyanide (C(3)H(3)N) dissociation channels leading to hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and its isomer hydrogen isocyanide (HNC). Our computations predict three elimination channels giving rise to HCN and another four channels leading to HNC formation. The relative HCN/HNC branching ratios as a function of internal energy of vinyl cyanide were computed using RRKM theory and the kinetic Monte Carlo method. At low internal energies (120 kcal/mol), the total HCN/HNC ratio is about 14, but at 148 kcal/mol (193 nm) this ratio becomes 1.9, in contrast with the value 124 obtained in a previous ab initio/RRKM study at 193 nm (Derecskei-Kovacs, A.; North, S. W. J. Chem. Phys.1999, 110, 2862). Moreover, our theoretical results predict a ratio of rovibrationally excited acetylene over total acetylene of 3.3, in perfect agreement with very recent experimental measurements (Wilhelm, M. J.; Nikow, M.; Letendre, L.; Dai, H.-L. J. Chem. Phys.2009, 130, 044307).     

On the elimination of methanol from stereoisomeric arylcyclohexyl methyl ethers under electron impact

The elimination of methanol from 3- and 4-arylcyclohexyl methyl ethers under electron impact exhibits stereoselectivity, which is similar to that found for the elimination of H₂O from the corresponding arylcyclohexanols. The two eliminations also exhibit a similar substituent effect correlation. The similarity holds in the site specificity of these processes only for the trans-isomers. The cis-ethers undergo elimination of methanol by a mechanism which is different from that for the elimination of H₂O from the cis-alcohols.     

13C labelling study of the interconversion of ethylbenzene, 7-methylcycloheptatriene and p-xylene ions

The isomerization of the molecular ions of ethylbenzene, 7-methylcycloheptatriene and p-xylene by skeletal rearrangement prior to the formation of [C₇H₇]⁺ ions has been investigated by using ¹³C labelled compounds. The results obtained for ions generated by 70 eV and 12 eV electron impact, and fragmenting in the ion source, the 1st field free region and the 2nd field free region, respectively, are compared with those obtained from D labelled derivatives. It is shown that at long reaction times metastable p-xylene ions lose a methyl radical after scrambling of all C atoms and H atoms, while the unstable molecular ions in the ion source react by specific loss of one of the methyl substituents. Both unstable and metastable ethylbenzene ions fragment by two competing mechanisms, one corresponding to specific loss of the terminal methyl group, and the other involving scrambling of all C and H atoms. These results are discussed by use of a dynamic model developed for the mutual interconversion and fragmentation of the molecular ions of ethylbenzene, methylcyclo-heptatriene and p-xylene. The experimental results can be explained by an equilibrium between metastable methylcycloheptatriene ions and p-xylene ions with sufficient energy for skeletal rearrangement, while about 40% of the metastable ethylbenzene ions fragment after rearrangement to methylcycloheptatriene ions and about 60% of the ethylbenzene ions rearrange further to xylene ions before fragmentation. Metastable methylcycloheptatriene ions, mainly lose a methyl group without a skeletal rearrangement, however, because the rearranged ions are kinetically trapped as ‘stable’ xylene ions or ethylbenzene ions.     

Mechanism of stereospecific alcohol elimination from cyclohexane trans-1,3-dicarboxylates under electron impact ionization

Diesters of cyclohexane trans-1,3-dicarboxylic acid give rise to major [M ? ROH]^+·. ions under electron impact ionization. A mass spectral study of the isomeric mixed methyl ethyl esters of the diacid, substituted by a methyl group at position 1 and deuterium labelled at position 3, indicates a stepwise mechanism for this alcohol elimination; the 3-hydrogen (or deuterium) is transferred to the carbonyl of the 1-ester group in the initial step. Subsequent migration of that hydrogen (or deuterium) to the alkoxyl of position 3 results in the highly site- and stereospecific alcohol elimination. CID spectra of the [M ? ROH]^+. ions obtained from the stereoisomeric diesters clearly show that they have different structures (or are different mixtures of structures).     

Gas-phase derivatization of [C3H5]+ ions using tandem mass spectrometry methods A13C labelling study

The study of specifically ¹³C-labelled precursors sheds further light on the gas-phase chemistry of allyl and 2-propenyl cations. It is demonstrated that both species are formed from allyl and 2-propenyl bromide upon 70 eV electron impact ionization without skeletal reorganization. Gas-phase derivatization of the [C₃ H₅]⁺ ions with benzene facilitates, as suggested and observed earlier, the distinction of the two isomers using collision-induced dissociation of the Wheland complexes (or isomers thereof). The ¹³C labelling data clearly demonstrate that 64% of allyl cations survive the derivatization while 36% isomerize to 2-phenylpropyl cations; the latter are also formed via the reaction of 2-propenyl cation with benzene, protonation of α-methylstyrene and water loss from protonated 2-phenyl-2-propanol, respectively. Unimolecular loss of C₂H₄ from protonated allylbenzene proceeds via two competing reaction channels: one involves heterolysis of 1-phenylpropyl cations (～30%); the major pathway (～70%), however, involves decomposition via propylene benzenium ions.     

Mass spectrometry of nitrogen heterocycles:XI—Loss of HCN from indazole studied by 15N labelling

A small preference for the N-1 nitrogen atom is observed in the loss of HCN from the molecular ion of ¹⁵N labelled indazole. In addition there is a small isotope effect.     

Stereospecific alcohol elimination from dialkyl mesaconates under electron impact: Another example of a hidden hydrogen transfer

Under electron impact dimethyl and diethyl mesaconates give rise to abundant [M ? MeOH]⁺ and [M ? EtOH]⁺ ions, respectively. The geometrically isomeric citraconates yield [M ? MeO]⁺ and [M ? EtO]⁺ ions. Mixed methyl ethyl mesaconates eliminate both methanol and ethanol. These findings, together with the results of a deuterium labelling study, indicate that the elimination of alcohol from the molecular ions of the mesaconates is partially preceded by a hidden hydrogen transfer step.     

A combined time-resolved and stereospecific deuterium labelling study of the elimination of methanol from the molecular ion of methoxycyclohexane

It is shown by field ionization kinetics in combination with both site-specific and stereospecific D-labelling that the loss of a molecule of methanol from the molecular ion of methoxycyclohexane can occur via 1,4- and 1,3-eliminations. The 1,4-elimination predominates at molecular ion lifetimes of ≥10^?10.1 s. It is found that ～19% of this reaction channel corresponds to a stereospecific cis-elimination, whereas the remaining 81% is only site-specific. At molecular ion lifetimes of between 10^?10 and 10^?9 s, a very sudden increase of the 1,3-elimination is observed at the expense of the 1,4-elimination. A stereospecific loss of methanol, however, is not observed at all for the 1,3-elimination within the limits of error. Possible intermediates and reaction pathways, which can account for the observations made, are discussed.     

Stereochemistry and mechanism of electron impact induced elimination reactions in acenaphthenol and acetoxyacenaphthene

The mechanisms for elimination of H₂O from acenaphthenol and of AcOH from acetoxyacenaphthene under low energy conditions have been determined, using regiospecific and stereospecific deuterium labeling probes, and by measurement of ionization and appearance potentials for alternative pathways. Both concerted and stepwise processes must be invoked in order to explain the experimental data. Proximity effects appear to be the most important factors in determining mechanistic type.     

Theoretical study of HCN(+) + C2H2 reaction

A detailed theoretical investigation for the ion-molecule reaction of HCN (+) with C 2H 2 is performed at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-311++G(3df,2pd) (single-point) levels. Possible energetically allowed reaction pathways leading to various low-lying dissociation products are probed. It is shown that eight dissociation products P 1 (H 2C 3N (+)+H), P 2 (CN+C 2H 3 (+)), P 3 (HC 3N (+)+H 2), P 4 (HCCCNH (+)+H), P 5 (H 2NCCC (+)+H), P 6 (HCNCCH (+)+H), P 7 (C 2H 2 (+)+HCN), and P 8 (C 2H 2 (+)+HNC) are both thermodynamically and kinetically accessible. Among the eight dissociation products, P 1 is the most abundant product. P 7 and P 3 are the second and third feasible products but much less competitive than P 1 , followed by the almost negligible product P 2 . Other products, P 4 (HCCCNH (+)+H), P 5 (HCNCCH (+)+H), P 6 (H 2NCCC (+)+H), and P 8 (C 2H 2 (+)+HNC) may become feasible at high temperatures. Because the intermediates and transition states involved in the reaction HCN (+) + C 2H 2 are all lower than the reactant in energy, the title reaction is expected to be rapid, as is consistent with the measured large rate constant at room temperature. The present calculation results may provide a useful guide for understanding the mechanism of HCN (+) toward other pi-bonded molecules.     

13C NMR study of psilostachyinolides from some ambrosia species

¹³C NMR data are presented for the psilostachyinolides, psilostachyin C, psilostachyin, canambrin, psilostachyin B, altamisin, paulitin and isopaulitin, obtained from Ambrosia cumanensis H.B.K., Ambrosia psilostachya D.C. and Ambrosia canescens (Gray).     

(13)C/(12)C isotope labelling to study leaf carbon respiration and allocation in twigs of field-grown beech trees

In situ (13)C/(12)C isotopic labelling was conducted in field-grown beech (Fagus sylvatica) twigs to study carbon respiration and allocation. This was achieved with a portable gas-exchange open system coupled to an external chamber. This method allowed us to subject leafy twigs to CO(2) with a constant carbon isotope composition (delta(13)C of -51.2 per thousand) in an open system in the field. The labelling was done during the whole light period at two different dates (in June 2002 and October 2003). The delta(13)C values of respiratory metabolites and CO(2) that is subsequently respired during the night were measured. It was found that night-respired CO(2) is not completely labelled (only ca. 58% and 27% of new carbon is found in respired CO(2) immediately after the labelling in June 2002 and October 2003, respectively) and the labelling level progressively disappeared during the next day. It is concluded that the carbon respired by beech leaves after illumination was supplied by a mixture of carbon sources in which current carbohydrates were not the only contributors. In addition, as has been found in herbaceous plants, isotopic data before labelling showed that carbon isotope discrimination favoring the (13)C isotope occurred during the night respiration of beech leaves.     

An extraction system for low-energy hydrogen ions formed by electron impact

A system has been developed for extracting near-zero kinetic energy H⁻ and D⁻ ions formed by dissociative electron attachment. It is the essential part of a new set-up for vibrational spectroscopy of hydrogen molecules. A magnetic field is used to collimate the probing electron beam. Ions produced by electron collision with the target molecules are collected by the combined action of this field and an electrostatic field penetrating into the interaction region. Highly effective extraction is achieved by taking into account the correct out-of plane displacement of ion trajectories which is usually neglected in similar arrangements. The extraction conditions are mass dependent so that by proper tuning, mass selection of detected ions is achieved. The new system is also used for detecting positive ions created by electron collisions with hydrogen atoms and molecules.     

Formation of CN(B2Σ) by the electron impact dissociation of HCN. measurements near threshold

Emission spectra of the CN violet band system (B²Σ—X²Σ) were observed by the electron impact on HCN with several impact energies near the threshold. The formation of CN(B) by the dissociative excitation of HCN was investigated. The threshold energy agreed essentially with that obtained by the photodissociation measurements by Okabe et al. The excitation function and the dependence of the vibrational populations of CN(B) on the electron energy were obtained. These results suggest that an optically allowed state contributes to the formation of CN(B) from HCN as a main precursor.     

An unusual electron impact induced fragmentation of methylbenzofurazans

The electron impact mass spectra of 4-and 5-methylbenzofurazans exhibit an ion corresponding to the loss of CHO from the molecular ion. Loss of NO from the molecular ion is quite unimportant, in contrast to the behaviour of benzofurazan and some other substituted benzofurazans, in which loss of NO is the dominant process.     

Dissociation of ethane by electron impact

The absolute total dissociation cross section for ethane is reported for electron energies between 10 and 600 eV. A maximum value of 7.6 × 10^?16 cm² occurs at 80 eV while the apparent threshold is ≈ 10 eV. Dissociative ionization is more probable than dissociation into neutral fragments at all energies except in the threshold region. The data indicates that fragmentation involving methane elimination (c^? + C₂ H₆ → e^? + CH₄ + CH₂) occurs in less than 2% of the dissociative events for 50 < E < 600 eV. Arguments are presented which suggest that some of the lower excited states of ethane are stable against dissociation.     

The mechanism of elimination of an H2O molecule in desmethylencecalin under electron impact

The mass spectrum of desmethylencecalin has been measured and a fragmentation mechanism for the loss of a water molecule from the [M? CH₃]⁺ ion is proposed on the basis of isotope labelling and metastable peak observations. The eliminated water has been shown to involve the carbonyl oxygen and hydrogen atoms of the hydroxyl and acetyl groups.     

Loss of hydrogen cyanide from monocyanopyridines upon electron impact: Dewar pyridine structures and ring opening—Ring closure reactions revealed by 13C and 15N Labelling

Extensive ¹³C and ¹⁵N labelling has shown that the molecular ions of 2-, 3- and 4-cyanopyridine with lifetimes up to 10^?6 s eliminate hydrogen cyanide originating predominantly from the ring (?65%). Moreover, this hydrogen cyanide loss occurs after an equilibrated positional interchange of the ring carbon atoms at positions interchange of the ring carbon atoms at positions 2, 4 and 6 via Dewar pyridine structures. In molecular ions with lifetimes of 10^?6–10^?5 s skeletal rearrangements have taken place in such a way that both nitrogen atoms have become equivalent prior to the loss of hydrogen cyanide. Arguments are put forward that this equivalence of nitrogen atoms is caused by the intermediacy of ions with a 1,4-dicyanobuta-1,3-diene structure. About 60% of these intermediate ions eliminate hydrogen cyanide in a fast process. The remaining 40% of these ions undergo ring closure again to a pyridine ring in which the carbon atoms of positions 2, 4 and 6 are positionally interchanged rapidly via Dewar pyridine structures followed by ring opening again and eventual loss of hydrogen cyanide. This interpretation of the ¹³C and ¹⁵N labelling results is further corroborated by a study of the loss of hydrogen cyanide from molecular ions of 1,4-dicyanobuta-1,3-diene labelled with ¹³C in both cyano groups.