Cluster ions in the secondary ion mass spectrometry of choline and acetylcholine halides

Liquid secondary ion mass spectra of choline and acetylcholine halides exhibit several series of cluster ions whose origins were investigated using B/E and B²/E linked-scan techniques. In the case of choline halides three series of cluster ions were identified as (Me₃$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $CH₂CH₂OH + nM), (Me₃$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $CH₂CH₂OMe + nM) and (Me₃N$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $CH₂CH₂OH · Me₃$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $CH₂CH₂O^? + nM), while (CH₃COOCH₂CH₂$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $Me₃ + nM), (Me₃$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $CH₂CH₂OH + nM) and (CH₂ = CH$ \mathop {\rm N}\limits^ + $Me₃ + nM) were observed in the spectra of acetylcholine halides. For these cluster ions, bimolecular reactions induced on ion bombardment under secondary ion mass spectrometric conditions are discussed.     

Synthesis of Nordstrandite and Nordstrandite-Derived Layered Double Hydroxides of Li and Al: A Comparative Study with the Bayerite Counterpart

The layered double hydroxides (LDHs) of Li and Al can be synthesized from the four polymorphs of Al(OH)₃, namely gibbsite, bayerite, nordstrandite, and doyleite. The crystal structure of this class of compounds depends on the type of the precursor used due to their topotactic reaction mechanism. While the LDHs derived from gibbsite and bayerite yield different crystal structures, the incorporation of Li into nordstrandite was expected to yield new LDH structures different from those derived from gibbsite and bayerite. The structure of nordstrandite derived LDHs were however identical to that derived from the bayerite counterpart. The absence of symmetry in the interlayer of nordstrandite (C₁) makes it unsuitable to accommodate the intercalating anions with different molecular symmetries. To make the interlayer gallery suitable for the anions, the metal hydroxide layers of the nordstrandite translate, transforming nordstrandite to bayerite. The bayerite with site symmetries O_h and C₂ stabilizes the anions in the interlayer by hydrogen bonding. The transformation of nordstrandite to bayerite, when soaked in lithium salt solution is, therefore, a manifestation of the intercalating anions.     

Microwave-Assisted Solution Synthesis of Metastable Intergrowth of AgInS2 Polymorphs

The intergrowth of stable and metastable AgInS₂ polymorphs was synthesized using a microwave-assisted synthesis. The samples were synthesized in water and in a deep eutectic solvent (DES) consisting of choline chloride and thiourea. An increase in the metal precursor concentration improved the crystallinity of the synthesized samples and affected the particle size. AgInS₂ cannot be synthesized from crystalline binary Ag₂S or In₂S₃ via this route. The solution synthesis reported here results in the intergrowth of the thermodynamically stable polymorph (space group I4¯2d, chalcopyrite structure) and the high-temperature polymorph (space group Pna2₁, wurtzite-like structure) that is metastable at room temperature. A scanning transmission microscopy (STEM) study revealed the intergrowth of tetragonal and orthorhombic polymorphs in a single particle and unambiguously established that the long-thought hexagonal wurtzite polymorph has pseudo-hexagonal symmetry and is best described with the orthorhombic unit cell. The solution-synthesized AgInS₂ polymorphs intergrowth has slightly lower bandgap values in the range of 1.73 eV–1.91 eV compared to the previously reported values for tetragonal I4¯2d (1.86 eV) and orthorhombic Pna2₁ (1.98 eV) polymorphs.     

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Commensurate Polymorph of Ln4AlCu2B9O23 (Ln=Lu,Ho) and Refinement of Cu2Al6B4O17

Single crystals of new Cu,Lu(Ho)–alumoborate and known Cu,Al–borate were synthesized through reaction between CuB₂O₄ and LnBO₃ on the Al₂O₃ surface by annealing at 1100 °C. Structure of commensurate modification of Ln₄AlCu₂B₉O₂₃, (Ln = Lu,Ho), sp. gr. , was solved at room temperature. It was found that a low–temperature (110 K) modification possesses incommensurate modulations with modulation vector q =(0, 0, 0.132). The nonaborate block – [B₉O₂₃]^19– – 9[6T+3Δ] forms an isolated unique dense closed anionic unit. This block is terminated by Al–tetrahedrons in the chessboard pattern, resulting in formation of complex alumoborate layer [AlB₉O₂₃]^16–. Apical oxygen of central BO₃ triangle of the nonaborate block seems to be the source of modulations observed in low temperature polymorph. Cationic layers with the Ln and Cu atoms are alternating along c axis with anionic layers. The structure Cu₂Al₆B₄O₁₇, previously studied by the Rietveld method, was corroborated by single crystal data and was compared with LiAl₇B₄O₁₇.     

Cross Conjugated Polyenes Derived from 2-Vinyl-butadiene: Electronic States of their Radical Cations,and Triplet Energy

The doublet states of the radical cations of the cross conjugated polyenes 4,4-dimethyl-1-methylidene-2,5-cyclohexadiene 2 and its bis-derivative 1 have been investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy and by electronic spectroscopy of \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \rm {1}^{+\kern-4pt {.} } $\end{document}⁺, prepared at 77 K in an electron scavenging matrix by γ-irradiation. Simultaneous consideration of the spectral results shows \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \rm {1}^{+\kern-4pt {.} } $\end{document} to be the second hydrocarbon molecular cation (after 2,2-dimethyl isoindene) which possesses a first excited doublet state (D₁) of non-Koopmans nature (²B_3g). The first Koopmans-type excited state (²B_2g) expected from PE. spectroscopy lies, however, very close in energy. In addition T₁ of 1 was observed by electron energy loss spectroscopy at 2.0±0.1 eV. Application of the ‘SDT-equation’ predicts for this state only 1.05 eV; there is at present no reasonable explanation for this failure.     

Triplet Energy of 2, 2-Dimethylisoindene from Electron-Energy-Loss Spectroscopy and Photoinduced Triplet Energy Transfer

The excited electronic states of 2, 2-dimethylisoindene ( 1 ) have been studied by electron-energy-loss spectroscopy. Its vertical gas-phase triplet (1³B₂), and singlet (1¹B₂) excitation energies are 1.61 and 3.19 eV, respectively. The excited states are thus lowered by 0.49 eV and 1.21 eV, respectively, when compared to the corresponding states of (all-E)-octatetraene, which serves as a reference compound. These shifts are partially reproduced by ZINDO calculations. The spectra give no evidence for a 2¹A_g state below the 1¹B₂ state, but this lack of observation does not exclude its existence. The lowest triplet state T₁( 1 ) was further characterized by flash photolysis. T₁( 1 ) was observed as a transient intermediate, λ ≤ 350 nm, with a lifetime of 8 m?s in degassed hexane. The adiabatic excitation energy of T₁( 1 ) was bracketed to the range of 1.1 ± 0.1 eV by energy-transfer experiments. Relationships between the energies of the lowest excited singlet and triplet states of 1 and the lowest excited doublet state of its radical cation ${1}^{+\kern0pt {.}}$ – essentially a non-Koopmans' state – are discussed.     

‘Non-Koopmans’ States in Stilbene Cations and a Remarkable Example to the «SDT-Equation»: Indeno [2,1-a]indene

The radical cations of indeno [2, 1-a]indene ( 1 ), stilbene ( 2 ) and 3, 5, 3', 5'-tetramethylstilbene ( 3 ) were prepared by γ-irradiation of the neutral precursors in an electron-scavenging matrix at 77 K . Their electronic spectra were recorded and compared to the photoelectron spectra ( PE .) of the neutral precursors. The results show that either the fourth or the fifth excited doublet state of the cations is of «Non-Koopmans» type, with specific doublet energy (D) D (²B_g)=2.74 eV ( 1 ⁺), =2.59 eV ( 2 ⁺), =2.49 eV ( 3 ⁺). Remarkably, 1 ⁺ possesses two electronic states in the 2.7-2.8 eV energy range: ²A_u («Koopmans»-type) and ²B_g («Non -Koopmans»-type). The «SDT»-equation \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ {\rm D} = \sqrt {{\rm S} \cdot {\rm T}} $\end{document} approximately connecting excited singlet (S) and triplet (T) states of a neutral alternant system with the excited doublet (D) states of its radical cation - provided e-promotion occurs For all three excited states between the same (paired) orbitals-is satisfyingly exemplified by 1 : S¹ = 3.92 eV and T¹= 2.06 eV for 1 , D^{4 or 5}=2.74 eV for 1 ⁺.     

Ba2Cd(B3O6)2: A Congruent‐Melting Compound with Isolated B3O6 Units

The single crystals of Ba₂Cd(B₃O₆)₂ were grown by the spontaneous crystallization method for the first time. They crystallize in the centrosymmetric trigonal space group R$\bar{3}$ with a = 7.143(3) Å, c = 17.405(16) Å, and Z = 3. The structure is characterized by isolated B₃O₆ units, and the Ba²⁺ and Cd²⁺ cations connect with B₃O₆ rings to form three dimensional structure. The TG/DSC and XRD results reveal that Ba₂Cd(B₃O₆)₂ melts congruently. First‐principles electronic structure calculation performed with the density functional theory (DFT) method shows that the calculated bandgaps are 4.66 eV, which is in good agreement with the UV/Vis/NIR experimental value 4.59 eV. The calculation shows that the Ba₂Cd(B₃O₆)₂ crystal has a large birefringence (Δn = 0.0875–0.0569 from 270 nm to 2600 nm), which demonstrates that Ba₂Cd(B₃O₆)₂ is a potential birefringence crystal.     

Thermal stability of intermediate sized acetylenic compounds and the heats of formation of propargyl radicals

4-Methylhexyne-1, 5-methylhexyne-1, hexyne-1, and 6-methylheptyne-2 have been decomposed in comparative-rate single-pulse shock-tube experiments. Rate expressions for the initial decomposition reactions at 1100°K and from 2 to 6 atm pressure are In combination with previous results, rate expressions for propargyl C? C bond cleavage are related to that for the alkanes by the expression These results yield a propargyl resonance energy of D(nC₃H₇-H) – D(C₃H₃-H) = 36 ± 2 kJ, in excellent agreement with a previous shock-tube study. They also lead to D(CH₃C≡CCH₂-H) – D(C₃H₃-H) = 0.6 ± 3 kJ, D(sC₄H₉-H) – D(iC₃H₇-H) = 0 ± 3 kJ, D(iC₄H₉-H) – D(nC₃H₇-H) = 2 ± 3 kJ, and D(nC₃H₇-H) – D(iC₃H₇-H) = 13.9 ± 3 kJ (all values are for 300°K). The systematics of the molecular decomposition process are explored.     

Structures of Uncharacterised Polymorphs of Gallium Oxide from Total Neutron Diffraction

A structural investigation is reported of polymorphs of Ga₂O₃ that, despite much interest in their properties, have hitherto remained uncharacterised due to structural disorder. The most crystalline sample yet reported of γ‐Ga₂O₃ was prepared by solvothermal oxidation of gallium metal in ethanolamine. Structure refinement using the Rietveld method reveals γ‐Ga₂O₃ has a defect Fd$\bar 3$ m spinel structure, while pair distribution function analysis shows that the short‐range structure is better modelled with local F$\bar 4$ 3m symmetry. In further solvothermal oxidation reactions a novel gallium oxyhydroxide, Ga₅O₇(OH), is formed, the thermal decomposition of which reveals a new, transient gallium oxide polymorph, κ‐Ga₂O₃, before transformation into β‐Ga₂O_3. In contrast, the thermal decomposition of Ga(NO₃)₃?9 H₂O first forms ε‐Ga₂O₃ and then β‐Ga₂O₃. Examination of in situ thermodiffraction data shows that ε‐Ga₂O₃ is always contaminated with β‐Ga₂O₃ and with this knowledge a model for its structure was deduced and refined—space group P6₃mc with a ratio of tetrahedral/octahedral gallium of 2.2:1 in close‐packed oxide layers. Importantly, thermodiffraction provides no evidence for the existence of the speculated bixbyite structured δ‐Ga₂O₃; at the early stages of thermal decomposition of Ga(NO₃)₃?9 H₂O the first distinct phase formed is merely small particles of ε‐Ga₂O₃.     

[(bdp)FeBr]: Structural Determination of a Polymorphic Iron Chelate with an Open‐Chain Tetrapyrrolic Ligand

Bromido‐(3,3′,4,4′,8,8′,9,9′‐octaethyl‐2,2′‐bidipyrrinato)iron(III) crystallizes in two different polymorphs, space groups and C2/c, with Z = 2 and 8, respectively, and slightly different densities. The Fe‐N and Fe‐Br bond lengths vary significantly with the polymorph indicating the presence of intermediate spin (S = 3/2) species admixed with different amounts of high spin (S = 5/2) iron(III) compounds in the triclinic resp. monoclinic form.     

Synthesis and Characterization of a New Organically Templated Aluminophosphite with a Chainlike Structure

A new aluminophosphite (H₄bape)_0.5[Al(OH)(HPO₃)₂] has been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and its structure was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction (bape = N,N′‐bis(2‐aminopropyl)ethylenediamine). This compound crystallizes in the triclinic system with the space group (No. 2), a = 6.919(2) Å, b = 8.704(2) Å, c = 9.786(2) Å, α = 77.74(3)°, β = 72.43(3)°, γ = 72.52(3)°, V = 531.08(2) ų, Z = 2. The structure consists of distorted octahedral AlO₆ and pseudo pyramidal HPO₃, which are connected by vertex oxygen atoms to form a chainlike framework with a Al/P ratio of 1/2. The presence of 1D infinite Al‐O‐Al linkage in the framework is noteworthy. The organic templates are fully protonated and interact with the aluminophosphite chains through extensive hydrogen bonds to form a 3D supramolecular network.     

The gas phase reactions of hydroxyl radicals with a series of aliphatic ethers over the temperature range 240–440 K

Absolute rate constants were determined for the gas phase reactions of OH radicals with a series of linear aliphatic ethers using the flash photolysis resonance fluorescence technique. Experiments were performed over the temperature range 240–440 K at total pressures (using Ar diluent gas) between 25–50 Torr. The kinetic data for dimethylether (k₁), diethylether (k₂), and dipropylether (k₃) were used to derive the Arrhenius expressions and At 296 K, the measured rate constants (in units of 10^?13 cm³ molecule^?1 s^?1) were: k₁ = (24.9 ± 2.2), k₂ = (136 ± 9), and k₃ = (180 ± 22). Room temperature rate constants for the OH reactions with several other aliphatic ethers were also measured. These were (in the above units): di-n-butylether, (278 ± 36); di-n-pentylether, (347 ± 20); ethyleneoxide, (0.95 ± 0.05); propyleneoxide, (4.95 ± 0.52); and tetrahydrofuran, (178 ± 16). The results are discussed in terms of the mechanisms for these reactions and are compared to previous literature data.     

H2S-promoted thermal isomerization of butene-2 CIS to butene-1 or butene-2 trans around 500°C

H₂S increases the thermal isomerization of butene-2 cis (B_c) to butene-1 (B₁) and butene-2 trans (B_t) around 500°C. This effect is interpreted on the basis of a free radical mechanism in which buten-2-yl and thiyl free radicals are the main chain carriers. B₁ formation is essentially explainedby the metathetical steps: whereas the free radical part of B_t formation results from the addition–elimination processes: . It is shown that the initiation step of pure B_c thermal reaction is essentially unimolecular: and that a new initiation step occurs in the presence of H₂S: . The rate constant ratio has been evaluated: and the best values of k₁ and k_1', consistent with this work and with thermochemical data, are . From thermochemical data of the literature and an “intrinsic value” of E_?3 ? 2 kcal/mol given by Benson, further values of rate constants may be proposed: is shown to be E₄ ? 3.5 ± 2 kcal/mol, of the same order as the activation energy of the corresponding metathetical step.     

Structural Synthon Approach to Predict the Possible Polytypes of Layered Double Hydroxides

The complete universe of possible polytypes of layered double hydroxides (LDH) is predicted on the basis of symmetry arguments. A single [MX₂] (X = OH) layer, also defined as a structural synthon, belongs to the layer group P$\bar{3}$ 2/m1. These layers can be stacked in such a way as to conserve the unique 3‐axis of the layer in the resultant crystal. The different stacking sequences that facilitate symmetry conservation, yield the different possible polytypes of rhombohedral and hexagonal symmetries. More polytypes can be envisaged by including stacking sequences that systematically destroy the principal symmetry elements of the structural synthon. Thereby, stacking sequences that destroy the 3‐axis, while retaining the 2‐axis, yield possible polytypes of monoclinic symmetry. The nitrate‐containing LDH of zinc and aluminum crystallizes in a faulted structure in which, the planar faults are shown to arise on account of stacking sequences whose local symmetry is monoclinic. This approach to polytype prediction expands on an earlier reported method by Bookin and Drits and is very general with important implications for other classes of layered materials.     

Combining Modular Ligation and Supramolecular Self‐Assembly for the Construction of Star‐Shaped Macromolecules

A well‐defined random copolymer of styrene (S) and chloromethylstyrene (CMS) featuring lateral chlorine moieties with an alkyne terminal group is prepared (P(S‐co‐CMS), = 5500 Da, PDI = 1.13). The chloromethyl groups are converted into Hamilton wedge (HW) entities (P(S‐co‐HWS), = 6200 Da, PDI = 1.13). The P(S‐co‐HWS) polymer is subsequently ligated with tetrakis(4‐azidophenyl)methane to give HW‐functional star‐shaped macromolecules (P(S‐co‐HWS))₄, = 25 100 Da, PDI = 1.08). Supramolecular star‐shaped copolymers are then prepared via self‐assembly between the HW‐functionalized four‐arm star‐shaped macromolecules ( P(S‐co‐HW )) ₄ and cyanuric acid (CA) end‐functionalized PS (PS–CA, = 3700 Da, PDI = 1.04), CA end‐functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA–CA, = 8500 Da, PDI = 1.13) and CA end‐functionalized polyethylene glycol (PEG–CA, = 1700 Da, PDI = 1.05). The self‐assembly is monitored by ¹H NMR spectroscopy and light scattering analyses.     

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.     

Ab initio molecular orbital study on the structures and energetics of CH3OH\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$_{2}^{+}$\end{document}(H2O)n and CH3SH\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$_{2}^{+}$\end{document}(H2O)n in the gas phase

The purpose of this study was to calculate the structures and energetics of CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n and CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n in the gas phase: we asked how the CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$ and CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$ moieties of CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n and CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n change with an increase in n and how can we reproduce the experimental values ΔH°_n−1,n. For this purpose, we carried out full geometry optimizations with MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) for CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n (n=0,1,2,3,4,5) and CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n (n=0,1,2,3,4). We also performed a vibrational analysis for all clusters in the optimized structures to confirm that all vibrational frequencies are real. All of the vibrational frequencies of these clusters are real, and they correspond to equilibrium structures. For CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n, when n increases, (1) the C O bond length decreases, (2) the C H bond lengths do not change, (3) the O H bond lengths increase, (4) the OCH bond angles increase, (5) the COH bond angles decrease, (6) the charge on CH₃ becomes less positive, and (7) these predicted values, except for the O H bond lengths of CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n, approach the corresponding values in CH₃OH. The C O bond length in CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)₅ is shorter than that in CH₃OH$_{2}^{+}$ in the gas phase by 0.061 Å at the MP2/6‐31+G(d,p) level. Except for the S H bond lengths in CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$(H₂O)_n, however, the structure of the CH₃SH$_{2}^{+}$ moiety does not change with an increase in n. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 125–131, 2001     

Universal Reaction Mechanism of Boronic Acids with Diols in Aqueous Solution: Kinetics and the Basic Concept of a Conditional Formation Constant

To establish a detailed reaction mechanism for the condensation between a boronic acid, RB(OH)₂, and a diol, H₂L, in aqueous solution, the acid dissociation constants (${K{{{\rm BL}\hfill \atop {\rm a}\hfill}}}$ ) of boronic acid diol esters (HBLs) were determined based on the well‐established concept of conditional formation constants of metal complexes. The pK_a values of HBLs were 2.30, 2.77, and 2.00 for the reaction systems, 2,4‐difluorophenylboronic acid and chromotropic acid, 3‐nitrophenylboronic acid and alizarin red S, and phenylboronic acid and alizarin red S, respectively. A general and precise reaction mechanism of RB(OH)₂ with H₂L in aqueous solution, which can serve as a universal reaction mechanism for RB(OH)₂ and H₂L, was proposed on the basis of (a) the relative kinetic reactivities of the RB(OH)₂ and its conjugate base, that is, the boronate ion, toward H₂L, and (b) the determined pK_a values of HBLs. The use of the conditional formation constant, K′, based on the main reaction: RB(OH)₂+H₂L ${{\mathop \leftrightarrow \limits ^{K{_{1}}}_{}}}$ RB(L)(OH)^?+H₃O⁺ instead of the binding constant has been proposed for the general reaction of uncomplexed boronic acid species (B′) with uncomplexed diol species (L′) to form boronic acid diol complex species (esters, BL′) in aqueous solution at pH 5–11: B′+L′ ${{\mathop \leftrightarrow \limits ^{K{^\prime}}_{}}}$ BL′. The proposed reaction mechanism explains perfectly the formation of boronic acid diol ester in aqueous solution.     

Structure and formation of gaseous [C4H5O]+ Ions. II–Ions of the type HCC?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}(OH)(CH3)

Loss of an alkyl group X? from acetylenic alcohols HC?C? CX(OH)(CH₃) and gas phase protonation of HC?C? CO? CH₃ are both shown to yield stable HC?C? \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}(OH)(CH₃) ions. Ions of this structure are unique among all other [C₄H₅O]⁺ isomers by having m/z 43 [C₂H₃O]⁺ as base peak in both the metastable ion and collisional activation spectra. It is concluded that the composite metastable peak for formation of m/z 43 corresponds to two distinct reaction profiles which lead to the same product ion, CH₃\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}?O, and neutral, HC?CH. It is further shown that the [C₄H₅O]⁺ ions from related alcohols (like HC?C? CH(OH)(CH₃)) which have an α-H atom available for isomerization into energy rich allenyl type molecular ions, consist of a second stable structure, H₂C?\documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$ \mathop {\rm C}\limits^{\rm + } $\end{document}? C(OH)?CH₂.