Stable [C2H7O2]+ isomers: Experimental and theoretical evidence for the existence of protonated peroxides and proton-bound dimers in the gas phase

Evidence is presented for the gas phase generation of at least eight stable isomeric [C₂H₇O₂]⁺ ions. These include energy-rich protonated peroxides (ions \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH}_2 {\rm O}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 2} $\end{document} (e), \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm (H)OH} $\end{document} (f) and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm O}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm (H)CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm (g)),} $\end{document} (g)), proton-bound dimers (ions \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH = O} \cdot \cdot \cdot \mathop {\rm H}\limits^{\rm 3} \cdot \cdot \cdot {\rm OH}_{\rm 2} $\end{document} (h) and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH2 = O} \cdot \cdot \cdot \mathop {\rm H}\limits^{\rm + } \cdot \cdot \cdot {\rm HOCH}_{\rm 3} $\end{document} (i)) and hydroxy-protonated species (ions \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm (OH)CH}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 2} (a), $\end{document} \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH(OH)}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 2} $\end{document} (b) and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm OCH}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 2} $\end{document} (c)). The important points of the present study are (i) that these ions are prevented by high barriers from facile interconversion and (ii) that both electron-impact- and proton-induced gas phase decompositions seem to proceed via multistep reactions, some of which eventually result in the formation of proton-bound dimers.     

Gas phase ion chemistry of methyl acetate,methyl propanoate and their enolic tautomers. An experimental approach

From a combination of isotopic substitution, time-resolved measurements and sequential collision experiments, it was proposed that whereas ionized methyl acetate prior to fragmentation rearranges largely into \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_3 \mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + ({\rm OH}){\rm O}\mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm .} {\rm H}_2 $\end{document}, in contrast, methyl propanoate molecular ions isomerize into \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^. {\rm H}_2 {\rm CH}_2 \mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + ({\rm OH}){\rm OCH}_3 $\end{document}. Metastably fragmenting methyl acetate molecular ions are known predominantly to form H₂?OH together with \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_3 - \mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + = {\rm O} $\end{document}, whereas ionized methyl propanoate largely yields H₃CO˙ together with \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_3 {\rm CH}_2 - \mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + = {\rm O} $\end{document}. The observations were explained in terms of the participation of different distonic molecular ions. The enol form of ionized methyl acetate generates substantially more H₃CO˙ in admixture with H₂?OH than the keto tautomer. This is ascribed to the rearrangement of the enol ion to the keto form being partially rate determining, which results in a wider range of internal energies among metastably fragmenting enol ions. Extensive ab initio calculations at a high level of theory would be required to establish detailed reaction mechanisms.     

The vinyloxonium cation, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm CH}_{\rm 2} = {\rm CH - }\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 2}$\end{document}, a stable [C2H5O]+ species in the gas phase

The charge stripping mass spectra of [C₂H₅O]⁺ ions permit the clear identification of four distinct species: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm CH}_{\rm 3} - {\rm O - }\mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 2}$\end{document}, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm CH}_{\rm 3} - \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H - OH}$\end{document}, and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm CH}_{\rm 2} = {\rm CH - }\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 2}$\end{document}. The latter, the vinyloxonium ion, has not been identified before. It is generated from ionized n-butanol and 1,3-propanediol. Its heat of formation is estimated to be 623±12 kJ mol^?1. The charge stripping method is more sensitive to these ion structures than conventional collisional activation, which focuses attention on singly charged fragment ions.     

Differentiation of tautomers by ion cyclotron resonance spectrometry: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm (CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm)}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm N}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm = CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm vs H}_{\rm 3} {\rm C}\mathop {\rm N}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H = CHCH}_{\rm 3}$\end{document}

Ion cyclotron resonance spectrometry and deuterium labeling have been used to determine that nondecomposing \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm (CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm)}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm N}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm = CH}_{\rm 2}$\end{document} ions do not isomerize to \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH = }\mathop {\rm N}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm HCH}_{\rm 3}$\end{document}.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the reactions of the superoxide ion in solutions. II. The kinetics of protonation of the superoxide ion by water and ethanol

The rate constants for the protonation of “free” (that is, solvated) superoxide ions by water and ethanol are equal to 0.5–3.5 ×10^?3M^?1·s^?1 in DMF and AN at 20º. It has been found that the protonation rates for the ion pairs of \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm O}_{\rm 2}^{\overline {\rm .} }$\end{document} with the Bu₄N⁺ cation are much slower than those for “free” \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm O}_{\rm 2}^{\overline {\rm .} }$\end{document}. It is suggested that the effects of aprotic solvents on the protonation rates of \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm O}_{\rm 2}^{\overline {\rm .} }$\end{document} are mainly due to the fact that the proton donors form solvated complexes of different stability in these solvents.     

The formation of the styryl ion in the mass spectra of cinnamyl compounds

The formation of the styryl ion \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm PhCH = }\mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H} $\end{document} in the mass spectra of some cinnamic compounds is shown to occur via the intermediate formation of the cinnamoyl ion \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm Ph} - {\rm CH} = {\rm CH} - {\rm C} \equiv \mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document} rather than by direct cleavage of the bond α to the double bond.     

Structure and formation of gaseous [C4H5O]+ ions. I—isomeric ions of the type C3H5\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + =\!= $\end{document}O

Characterization of [C₄H₅O]⁺ ions in the gas phase using their collisional activation spectra shows that the four C₃H₅\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + =\!= $\end{document}O isomers CH₂?C(CH₃)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + =\!= $\end{document}O, CH₂?CHCH₂\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + =\!= $\end{document}O, CH₃CH?CH\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + =\!= $\end{document}O and ?? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + =\!= $\end{document}O are stable for ≥ 10^?5 s. It is concluded further from the characteristic shapes for the unimolecular loss of CO from C₃H₅\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + =\!= $\end{document}O ions generated from a series of precursor molecules that the CH₂?CH(CH₃)\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + =\!= $\end{document}O- and CH₂?CHCH₂\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + =\!= $\end{document}O-type ions dissociate over different potential surfaces to yield [allyl]⁺ and [2-propenyl]⁺ [C₃H₅]⁺ product ions respectively. Cyclopropyl carbonyl-type ions lose CO with a large kinetic energy release, which points to ring opening in the transition state, whereas this loss from CH₃CH?CH\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document} $\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + =\!= $\end{document}O-type ions is proposed to occur via a rate determining 1,2-H shift to yield 2-propenyl cations.     

The gas phase ion chemistry of the acetyl cation and isomeric [C2H3O]+ ions. On the structure of the [C2H3O]+ daughter ions generated from the enol of acetone radical cation

Methods are described for the unequivocal identification of the acetyl, [CH₃? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document} ?O] (a), 1-hydroxyvinyl, [CH₂?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}? OH] (b), and oxiranyl, (d), cations. They involve the careful examination of metastable peak intensities and shapes and collision induced processes at very low, high and intermediate collision gas pressures. It will be shown that each [C₂H₃O]⁺ ion produces a unique metastable peak for the fragmentation [C₂H₃O]⁺ → [CH₃]⁺+CO, each appropriately relating to different [C₂H₃O]⁺ structures. [CH₃? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}?O] ions do not interconvert with any of the other [C₂H₃O]⁺ ions prior to loss of CO, but deuterium and ¹³C labelling experiments established that [CH₂?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}? OH] (b) rearranges via a 1,2-H shift into energy-rich leading to the loss of positional identity of the carbon atoms in ions (b). Fragmentation of b to [CH₃]⁺+CO has a high activation energy, c. 400 kJ mol^?1. On the other hand, , generated at its threshold from a suitable precursor molecule, does not rearrange into [CH₂?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}? OH], but undergoes a slow isomerization into [CH₃? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}?O] via [CH₂\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}HO]. Interpretation of results rests in part upon recent ab initio calculations. The methods described in this paper permit the identification of reactions that have hitherto lain unsuspected: for example, many of the ionized molecules of type CH₃COR examined in this work produce [CH₂?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}? OH] ions in addition to [CH₃? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}?O] showing that some enolization takes place prior to fragmentation. Furthermore, ionized ethanol generates a, b and d ions. We have also applied the methods for identification of daughter ions in systems of current interest. The loss of OH^˙ from [CH₃COOD]^+˙ generates only [CH₂?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}? OD]. Elimination of CH₃^˙ from the enol of acetone radical cation most probably generates only [CH₃? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}?O] ions, confirming the earlier proposal for non-ergodic behaviour of this system. We stress, however, that until all stable isomeric species (such as [CH₃? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}?C:]) have been experimentally identified, the hypothesis of incompletely randomized energy should be used with reserve.     

[C3H3O]+ ions; reacting and non-reacting configurations

Three [C₃H₃O]⁺ ion structures have been characterized. The most stable of these is \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} = {\rm CH} - \mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + = {\rm O} $\end{document} its heat of formation ΔH_f was measured as 749±5 kJ mol^?1. In the μs time frame this ion fragments exclusively by loss of CO, a process which also dominates its collisional activation mass spectrum. The other stable [C₃H₃O]⁺ structures, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}\equiv \mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + - {\rm CHOH} $\end{document} and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} = {\rm C} = \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } - {\rm OH}, $\end{document}, were generated from some acetylenic and allenic precursor ions; their heats of formation were estimated to be 830 and 880 kJ mol^?1 respectively. The former ion was also produced by the gas phase protonation of propynal. These ions show loss of C₂H₂ and CO in both their metastable ion and collisional activation mass spectra. The broad Gaussian-type metastable peak for the loss of CO was shown to consist of two components corresponding to gragmentations having different activation energies.     

Cyclization of dimethyl oxalate upon electron impact

Isotope labelling experiments and also consecutive fragmentation investigations of metastable ions, a novel technique in mechanistic studies, have been carried out to elucidate structure and genesis of the m/z 45 ions from dimethyl oxalate as well as dimethyl carbonate. It is shown that the formation of the m/z 45 ions, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm{CH}}_{\rm{3}} \mathop {\rm{O}}\limits^{\rm{ + }} = {\rm{CH}}_{\rm{2}} $\end{document}, in the mass spectra of these compounds arises via single step processes. Mechanisms involving hydrogen transfer and subsequent formation of cyclic intermediates which then collapse to give \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm{CH}}_{\rm{3}} \mathop {\rm{O}}\limits^{\rm{ + }} = {\rm{CH}}_{\rm{2}} $\end{document} directly from molecular ions are suggested. No evidence was found for a two-step fragmentation route to m/z 45 from the molecular ions of either dimethyl oxalate or dimethyl carbonate.     

Photoreduction of Thiosulfate in Semiconductor Dispersions

Conduction band electrons produced by band gap excitation of TiO₂-particles reduce efficiently thiosulfate to sulfide and sulfite. \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm 2e}_{{\rm cb}}^ - ({\rm TiO}_{\rm 2}) + {\rm S}_{\rm 2} {\rm O}_3^{2 - } \longrightarrow {\rm S}^{2 - } + {\rm SO}_3^{2 - } $\end{document} This reaction is confirmed by electrochemical investigations with polycrystalline TiO₂-electrodes. The valence band process in alkaline TiO₂-dispersions involves oxidation of S₂O to tetrathionate which quantitatively dismutates into sulfite and thiosulfate, the net reaction being: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ 2{\rm h}^{\rm + } ({\rm TiO}_{\rm 2}) + 0.5{\rm S}_{\rm 2} {\rm O}_{\rm 3}^{{\rm 2} - } + 1.5{\rm H}_{\rm 2} {\rm O} \longrightarrow {\rm SO}_3^{2 - } + 3{\rm H}^{\rm + } $\end{document} This photodriven disproportionation of thiosulfate into sulfide and sulfite: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ 1.5{\rm H}_{\rm 2} {\rm O } + 1.5{\rm S}_{\rm 2} {\rm O}_{\rm 3}^{{\rm 2} - } \mathop \to \limits^{h\nu} 2{\rm SO}_3^{2 - } + {\rm S}^{{\rm 2} - } + 3{\rm H}^{\rm + } $\end{document} should be of great interest for systems that photochemically split hydrogen sulfide into hydrogen and sulfur.     

Structures and relative energies of gas-phase [C2H7N]+˙ radical cations

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations with split-valence plus polarization basis sets and incorporating electron correlation and zero-point energy corrections have been used to examine possible equilibrium structures on the [C₂H₇N]⁺˙ surface. In addition to the radical cations of ethylamine and dimethylamine, three other isomers were found which have comparable energy, but which have no stable neutral counterparts. These are \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm .} {\rm H}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm N}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 3} $\end{document}, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm .} {\rm H}\mathop {\rm N}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 3} $\end{document}and\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} \mathop {\rm N}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm C}\limits^. {\rm H}_{\rm 2} {\rm }, $\end{document} with calculated energies relative to the ethylamine radical cation of ?33, ?28 and 4 kJ mol^?1, respectively. Substantial barriers for rearrangement among the various isomers and significant binding energies with respect to possible fragmentation products are found. The predictions for \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^. {\rm H}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + {\rm H}_{\rm 3} $\end{document} and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm .} {\rm H}\mathop {\rm N}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 3}$\end{document} are consistent with their recent observation in the gas phase. The remaining isomer, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} \mathop {\rm N}\limits^{\rm + } {\rm H}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm .} {\rm H}_{\rm 2} {\rm },$\end{document}is also predicted to be experimentally observable.     

On the shift of H2O between the carbons of the radical cation [CH2CH2OH2]+˙

Computations predict that H₂O will shift rapidly between the carbons of \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm .} {\rm H}_2 {\rm CH}_2 \mathop {\rm O}\limits^ + {\rm H}_2 $\end{document} over most of the energy range between the threshold for formation of the ion and the onset of its decomposition. This prediction is important to understanding the relationships and contrasts between the chemistries of free radicals and carbonium ions. We present experimental evidence that the theoretical predictions are correct.     

Potential energy profiles for unimolecular reactions of organic ions: [C3H8N]+ and [C3H7O]+

The unimolecular decompositions of two isomers of [C₃H₈N]⁺, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH} = \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + {\rm H}_2 $\end{document} and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + {\rm H = CH}_{\rm 2} $\end{document}, are discussed in terms of the potential energy profile over which reaction may be considered to occur. The energy needed to promote slow (metastable) dissociations of either ion is found to be less than that required to cause isomerization to the other structure. This finding is supported by the observation of different decomposition pathways, different metastable peak shapes for C₂H₄ loss, the results of ²H labelling studies, and energy measurements on the two ions. The corresponding potential energy profile for decomposition of the oxygen analogues, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CH =\!= }\mathop {\rm O}\limits^ + {\rm H} $\end{document} and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\rm O}\limits^ + {\rm = CH}_{\rm 2} $\end{document}, is compared and contrasted with that proposed for the [C₃H₈N]⁺ isomers. This analysis indicates that for the oxygen analogues, the energy needed to decompose either ion is very similar to that required to cause isomerization to the other structure. Consequently, dissociation of either ion is finely balanced with rearrangement to the other and similar reactions are observed. Detailed mechanisms are proposed for loss of H₂O and C₂H₄ from each ion and it is shown that these mechanisms are consistent with ²H and ¹³C labelling studies, the kinetic energy release associated with each decomposition channel, the relative competition between H₂O and C₂H₄ loss and energy measurements.     

Mass spectrometry of transition-metal π-complexes. III—a study of an iron-coordinated tautomer of phenol

A study of the fragmentation of the \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \left[{\left({{\rm C}_{\rm 6} {\rm H}_{\rm 6} {\rm O}} \right){\rm Fe}} \right]_{}^{_.^ + } $\end{document} ion formed from two different precursors suggests that the ions adopt different structures over that part of the energy distribution giving rise to decomposition in the ion source.     

Méthodes chimiques d'analyse des polyacroléines linéaires

Linear polyacroleins prepared by anionic polymerization give the structural repeat units of the types \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \rlap{--}[{\rm CH}\left( {{\rm CHO}} \right)\hbox{--} {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} {\rm \rlap{--} ], \rlap{--} [CH}_{\rm 2} \hbox{--} {\rm CH}\left( {{\rm CHO}} \right)\rlap{--} ], $\end{document} and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \rlap{--} [{\rm CH}\left( {{\rm CH}\hbox {\rm CH}_2 } \right)\hbox{\rm O\rlap{--} ]} $\end{document} without any cyclization. Analysis of these polymers by several methods reveal the nature and amount of each structural species, and an estimation of their distribution along the polymeric chain.     

Products and mechanism for the OH radical initiated oxidation of acrylonitrile,methacrylonitrile, and allylcyanide in the presence of NO

The photooxidation of acrylonitrile, methacylonitrile, and allylcyanide in the presence of NO was studied in parts per million concentration using the long-path Fourier transform IR spectroscopic method. The stoichiometry of the OH radical initiated oxidation of methacrylonitrile was established as \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \left( {{\rm OH}} \right) + {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} = {\rm C}\left( {{\rm CH}_{\rm 3} } \right){\rm CN + 2NO + 2O}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\hbox to 20pt{\rightarrowfill}}\limits^{1.0} {\rm HCHO + CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm COCN + 2NO}_{{\rm 2}} + \left( {{\rm OH}} \right) $\end{document}. The yield of HCHO for acrylonitrile and allylcyanide was found to be ca. 100 and 80%, and the stoichiometric reactions were assessed to proceed, \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \left( {{\rm OH}} \right) + {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} = {\rm CHCN + 2NO + 2O}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\hbox to 20pt{\rightarrowfill}}\limits^{1.0} {\rm HCHO + HCOCN + 2NO}_{\rm 2} + \left( {{\rm OH}} \right) $\end{document} and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \left( {{\rm OH}} \right) + {\rm CH}_{\rm 2} = {\rm CHCH}_{\rm 2} {\rm CN + 2NO + 2O}_{\rm 2} \mathop {\hbox to 20pt{\rightarrowfill}}\limits^{0.8} {\rm HCHO + HCOCH}{\rm 2} {\rm CN + 2NO}_{\rm 2} + \left( {{\rm OH}} \right) $\end{document}, respectively. These results revealed that the reaction mechanism for these unsaturated organic cyanides are analogous to that of olefins.     

Stable gaseous aziridinium ions

Gaseous protonated aziridine ions are produced at the threshold from β-phenoxyethylamine molecular ions. The evidence for this is collisional activation spectra, using various precursors (including labelled analogues) under electron impact and field ionization conditions. Partial conversion to the acyclic \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm CH}_{\rm 3} {\rm CH = }\mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + {\rm H}_{\rm 2} $\end{document} isomer occurs at higher electron energies and is rationalized by means of a potential energy surface constructed from energetic data.     

Bifunctional even-electron ions. II. Fragmentation behaviour of aliphatic ω-hydroxy and ω-methoxy methoxonium ions

Bifunctional methoxonium ions \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm R} -\mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + ({\rm OCH}_3 ) - ({\rm CH}_2 )_{\rm n} - {\rm OH}({\rm b}) $\end{document} and \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm R} - \mathop {\rm C}\limits^ + ({\rm OCH}_3 ) - ({\rm CH}_2 )_{\rm n} - {\rm OCH}_3 ({\rm c}) $\end{document} (c) show as the main reactions those caused by functional group interaction, as has already been found for the analogous hydroxonium ions (g). Although there are similarities in the fragmentation behaviour of the isomeric ions b and g, their fragmentation pathways are different, proving b and g as distinct species. The dominant primary fragmentation for b and c is loss of CH₃OH. The hydrogen migrations prior to this reaction have been established by deuterium labelling. The findings on the fragmentation behaviour of the bifunctional methoxonium ions have been extended to the general behaviour of hydroxy and alkoxy substituted alkoxonium ions.     

Pyrolysis of dimethyl peroxide

By using isobutane (t-BuH) as a radical trapit has been possible to study the initial step in the decomposition of dimethyl peroxide (DMP) over the temperature range of 110–140°C in a static system. For low concentrations of DMP (2.5 × 10^?5?10^?4M) and high pressures of t?BuH (～0.9 atm) the first-order homogeneous rate of formation of methanol (MeOH) is a direct measure of reaction (1): \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}${\rm DMP}\mathop \to \limits^1 2{\rm Me}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .},{\rm Me}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .} + t{\rm - BuH}\mathop \to \limits^4 {\rm MeOH} + t{\rm -}\mathop {\rm B}\limits^{\rm .} {\rm u}$\end{document}. For complete decomposition of DMP in t-BuH, virtually all of the DMP is converted to MeOH. Thus DMP is a clean thermal source of Me\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .}$\end{document}. In the decomposition of pure DMP complications arise due to the H-abstraction reactions of Me\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .}$\end{document} from DMP and the product CH₂O. The rate constant for reaction (1) is given by k₁ = 10^15.5?37.0/θ sec^?1, very similar to other dialkyl peroxides. The thermochemistry leads to the result D(MeO? OMe) = 37.6 ± 0.2 kcal/mole and /H(Me\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .}$\end{document}) = 3.8 ± 0.2 kcal/mole. It is concluded that D(RO? OR) and D(RO? H) are unaffected by the nature of R. From ΔS and A₁, k₂ is calculated to be 10^10.3±0.5 M^?1· sec^?1: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$2{\rm Me}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .} \mathop \to \limits^2 {\rm DMP}$\end{document}. For complete reaction, trace amounts of t-BuOMe lead to the result k₂ ～ 10⁹ M^?1 ·sec^?1: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$2t{\rm - Bu}\mathop \to \limits^5$\end{document} products. From the relationship k₆ = 2(k₂k_5a)^1/2 and with k_5a = 10^8.4 M^?1 · sec^?1, we arrive at the result k₆ = 10^9.7 M^?1 · sec^?1: \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$2t{\rm - u}\mathop {\rm B}\limits^{\rm .} \to (t{\rm - Bu)}_{\rm 2}{\rm,}t{\rm -}\mathop {\rm B}\limits^{\rm .} {\rm u} + {\rm Me}\mathop {\rm O}\limits^{\rm .} \mathop \to \limits^6 t{\rm - BuOMe}$\end{document}.