Structure and further fragmentation of significant [a3 + Na − H]+ ions from sodium‐cationized peptides

A good understanding of gas‐phase fragmentation chemistry of peptides is important for accurate protein identification. Additional product ions obtained by sodiated peptides can provide useful sequence information supplementary to protonated peptides and improve protein identification. In this work, we first demonstrate that the sodiated a₃ ions are abundant in the tandem mass spectra of sodium‐cationized peptides although observations of a₃ ions have rarely been reported in protonated peptides. Quantum chemical calculations combined with tandem mass spectrometry are used to investigate this phenomenon by using a model tetrapeptide GGAG. Our results reveal that the most stable [a₃ + Na ? H]⁺ ion is present as a bidentate linear structure in which the sodium cation coordinates to the two backbone carbonyl oxygen atoms. Due to structural inflexibility, further fragmentation of the [a₃ + Na ? H]⁺ ion needs to overcome several relatively high energetic barriers to form [b₂ + Na ? H]⁺ ion with a diketopiperazine structure. As a result, low abundance of [b₂ + Na ? H]⁺ ion is detected at relatively high collision energy. In addition, our computational data also indicate that the common oxazolone pathway to generate [b₂ + Na ? H]⁺ from the [a₃ + Na ? H]⁺ ion is unlikely. The present work provides a mechanistic insight into how a sodium ion affects the fragmentation behaviors of peptides. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of structure and properties of modified chlorophylls by using fast atom bombardment combined with tandem mass spectrometry

Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) was used to investigate and compare the decompositions of radical cations (M^+.), radical anions (M^-.), [M + H]⁺ ions, and [M + Cat]⁺ ions (Cat = alkali metal ions) of chlorophylls. Included in this study are chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, bacteriochlorophyll a, chlorophyll a allomers, and the corresponding pheophytins. Fast atom bombardment of chlorophyll a produces abundant M^+. ions, which decompose metastably and upon collisional activation to give fragment ions from losses of the phytyl chain and the β-keto group of ring V. In addition, previously unreported charge-remote fragmentations are useful for identification of branch points on the phytyl chain. Collisional activation of [M + Cat]⁺ ions produces fragment ions that are complementary to those of the M⁺ and are used to examine the intrinsic gas-phase reactivity of metal ions and chlorophylls. Peripheral metal ion attachment in chlorophyll a in the gas phase is suggested to be at C-9, and the β-keto ester group at C-10, of ring V. Examination of decompositions of chlorophyll dimers suggests that in the gas phase the interaction between monomers involves bonding of the Mg atom of one chlorophyll a molecule and the C-9 carbonyl oxygen of the other, which was also suggested for chlorophyll a dimers in solution.     

Complexes of iron(II) with cysteine-containing peptides in the gas phase

Gas-phase interactions of peptides that contain cysteine with iron(II) atoms were examined by using fast-atom bombardment and tandem mass spectrometry. Specific and strong interactions of iron and sulfur from the thiol group of the cysteine side chain occur in the gas phase and are the basis for highly specific fragmentation to give abundant [a _n ?⁺ ions. For peptides that contain two cysteines, an internal ion, which results from the interaction of Fe and both thiol groups, is formed upon collisional activation. The mechanism for the formation of [a _n ?2H+Fe]⁺ fragment ions requires the metal to be coordinated at sulfur in close proximity to the site of reaction. Iron-bis(pentapeptide) complexes, which form under the same conditions, decompose predominantly to lose a pentapeptide molecule and, to a lesser extent, to give [a _a ?2H+Fe]⁺ ions.     

Preparation,thermal decomposition,and crystal structure of Zn(II) 2-chlorobenzoate complex with nicotinamide

A new Zn(II) 2-chlorobenzoate complex, [Zn(2-ClC₆H₄COO)₂(nad)₂] (nad = nicotinamide), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR) spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, thermal analysis, and X-ray structure determination. The mechanism of thermal decomposition of the complex was studied by TG/DTG, DTA, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The thermal decomposition is characterized as a two-step process. Zinc oxide was found as the final product of the thermal decomposition performed up to 900°C. Mass spectrometry was used to determine the volatiles released during thermal decomposition. The IR spectrum indicates that carboxylate is coordinated to zinc in monodentate coordination. [Zn(2-ClC₆H₄COO)₂(nad)₂] crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group Pn, a = 10.376(2) Å, b = 10.100(1) Å, c = 12.604(1) Å, β = 100.79(1)°. The zinc is tetrahedrally coordinated by two nitrogens of nicotinamide and two oxygens of 2-chlorobenzoate.     

High field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry: an investigation of leucine enkephalin ions produced by electrospray ionization

High field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) provides atmospheric pressure, room temperature, low-resolution separation of gas-phase ions. The FAIMS analyzer acts as an ion filter that can continuously transmit one type of ion, independent of m/z. The combination of FAIMS with electrospray ionization and mass spectrometry (ESI-FAIMS-MS) is a powerful technique and is used in this study to investigate the cluster ions of leucine enkephalin (YGGFL). Separation by FAIMS of leucine enkephalin ions having the same m/z (m/z 556.5), [M + H]⁺ and [2M + 2H]²⁺, was observed. In addition, four complex ions of leucine enkephalin, [2M + H]⁺, [4M + 2H]²⁺, [6M + 3H]³⁺, and [8M + 4H]⁴⁺, all having m/z 1112, were shown to be separated in FAIMS. Fragmentation of ions as the result of harsh conditions within the mass spectrometer interface (FAIMS-MS) was shown to provide similar information to that obtained from MS/MS experiments in conventional ESI-MS.     

Crystal structure of a trinuclear Zn(II) complex: [Zn<Subscript>3</Subscript>L<Subscript>2</Subscript>(μ<Subscript>1,1</Subscript>-N<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>I<Subscript>2</Subscript>] [l = 2-[(3-dimethylaminopropylimino) methyl]-6-ethoxyphenolate]

Reaction of zinc iodide, sodium azide and 2-[(3-dimethylaminopropylimino)methyl]-6-ethoxyphenol (HL) results in the formation of a trinuclear complex [Zn₃L₂(μ_1,1-N₃)₂I₂]. The complex is characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystallography. The complex possesses crystallographic two-fold rotation axis symmetry and crystallizes in the monoclinic system, C2/c space group, a = 23.241(2) Å, b = 10.849(1) Å, c = 17.384(2) Å, β = 120.868(1)°, V = 3762.4(6) ų, Z = 4. The molecule consists of two [ZnL(N₃)I] units connected together by a central Zn atom. The terminal Zn atom is fivecoordinated in a trigonal-bipyramidal geometry, and the central Zn atom is six-coordinated in an octahedral geometry. The Zn...Zn separation between the terminal and the central Zn atoms is 3.257(2) Å.     

Study of adduct ions of meso-phenyl-substituted tetrabenzoporphyrins by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry

Mass spectra of meso-phenyl-substituted tetrabenzoporphyrins were investigated by fast-atom bombardment mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry. A cluster of adduct ions with mass-to-charge ratio values higher than the corresponding molecular ions of the porphyrins has been observed. The mass number differences among the series of cluster ions are constant depending on the para-phenyl substituents. Under certain conditions, dimers or trimers of molecular ions with low abundances have been detected. To trace the origin of the adduct ions, a series of experiments based on mass spectrometry have been carried out. The mass spectrum of tetrabenzoporphyrin showed no adduct ions with mass number differences of 90 even with the addition of phenylacetic acid. The mass spectrum of meso-tetraphenylte-trabenzoporphyrin ¹³C-labeled at the meso carbons showed adduct ions with mass number differences of 91. Product spectra of [2M + H]⁺ or [3M + H]⁺ of porphyrins exhibited adduct ions. All these results suggest that fragmentations of [2M + H]⁺ or [3M + H]⁺ may be one of the many possible routes to form the adduct ions, and the mass number differences among the series of these cluster ions should correspond to the benzyl group from the meso positions of meso-phenyl-substituted tetrabenzoporphyrins.     

Observation and implications of high mass-to-charge ratio ions from electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

High mass-to-charge ratio ions (> 4000) from electrospray ionization (ESI) have been observed for several proteins, including bovine cytochrome c (M _r 12,231) and porcine pepsin (M _r 34,584), by using a quadrupole mass spectrometer with an m/z 45,000 range. The ESI mass spectrum for cytochrome c in an aqueous solution gives a charge state distribution that ranges from 12 + to 2 +, with a broad, low-intensity peak in the mass-to-charge ratio region corresponding to the [M + H]⁺ ion. the negative ion ESI mass spectrum for pepsin in 1% acetic acid solution shows a charge state distribution ranging from 7? to 2?. To observe the [M - H]^? ion, harsher desolvation and interface conditions were required. Also observed was the abundant aggregation of the protens with average charge states substantially lower than observed for their monomeric counterparts. The negative ion ESI mass spectrum for cytochrome c in 1–100 mM NH₄OAc solutions showed greater relative abundances for the higher mass-to-charge ratio ions than in acuidic solutions, with an [M - H]^? ion relative abundance approximately 50% that of the most abundant charge state peak. The observation that protein aggregates are formed with charge states comparable to monomeric species (at fower mass-to-charge ratios) suggests that the high mass-to-charge ratio monomers may be formed by the dissociation of aggregate species. The observation of low charge state and aggregate molecular ions concurrently with highly charged species may serve to support a variation of the charged residue model, originally described by Dole and co-workers (Dole, M., et al. J. Chem. Phys. 1968, 49, 2240; Mack, L. L., et al. J. Chem. Phys. 1970, 52, 4977) which involves the Coulombically driven formation of either very highly solvated molecular ions or lower ananometer-diameter droplets.     

Organically pillared layered zinc hydroxides

The two organically pillared layered zinc hydroxides [Zn₂(OH)₂(ndc)], CPO-6, and [Zn₃(OH)₄(bpdc)], CPO-7, were obtained in hydrothermal reactions between 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (ndc) and zinc nitrate (CPO-6) and 4,4′biphenyldicarboxylate (bpdc) and zinc nitrate (CPO-7), respectively. In CPO-6, the tetrahedral zinc atoms are connected by two μ₂-OH groups and two carboxylate oxygen atoms, forming infinite layers extending parallel to the bc-plane. These layers are pillared by ndc to form a three-dimensional structure. In CPO-7, the zinc hydroxide layers are containing four-, five- and six coordinated zinc atoms, and the layers are built like stairways running along the [001] direction. Each step is composed of three infinite chains running in the [010] direction. Both crystal structures were solved from conventional single crystal data. Crystal data for CPO-6: Monoclinic space group P2₁/c (No. 14), a=11.9703(7), b=7.8154(5), c=6.2428(4) Å, β=90.816(2)°, V=583.97(6) Å³ and Z=4. Crystal data for CPO-7: Monoclinic space group C2/c (No. 15), a=35.220(4), b=6.2658(8), c=14.8888(17) Å, β=112.580(4)°, V=3033.8(6) Å³ and Z=8. The compounds were further characterized by thermogravimetric- and chemical analysis.     

Toward total structural analysis of cardiolipins: multiple-stage linear ion-trap mass spectrometry on the [M − 2H + 3Li]<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions

ESI multiple-stage linear ion-trap (LIT) mass spectrometric approaches for a near-complete structural characterization of cardiolipins (CLs), including identification of the fatty acyl substituents, assignment of the fatty acid substituents on the glycerol backbone, and location of the double-bond(s) or cyclopropyl group along the fatty acid chain are described. Upon collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) on the [M − 2H + 3Li]⁺ ions of CL in an ion-trap (MS²), two sets of fragment ions (designated as (a + 136) and (b + 136) ions) analogous to those previously reported for the [M − 2H + 3Na]⁺ ions were observed, leading to assignment of the phosphatidyl moieties attached to 1′- or 3′-position of the central glycerol. Further dissociation of the (a + 136) (or (b + 136)) ions (MS³) gives rise to the (a + 136 − R_{1(or 2)}CO₂Li) (or b + 136 − R_{1(or 2)}CO₂Li) ion pairs that identify the fatty acid moieties and their position on the glycerol backbone. This is followed by MS⁴ on the (a + 136 − R_{1(or 2)}CO₂Li) (or b + 136 − R_{1(or 2)}CO₂Li) ion to eliminate a tricylic glycerophosphate ester residue (136 Da) to yield the (a − R_{1(or 2)}CO₂Li) ion, which is then subjected to MS⁵. The MS5 spectrum contains the structural information that locates the double-bond(s) or cyclopropyl group of the fatty acid substituents. Finally, the subsequent MS⁶ on the dilithiated fatty acid ions generated from MS⁵ also yields feature ions that confirm the assignment.     

Crystal and molecular structure of the [Zn(HL)Cl]·EtOH compound, (H2L = chiral bis(menthane)propylenediaminodioxime)

The crystal structure of a solvate [Zn(HL)Cl]·EtOH is determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography (150 K, Bruker X8 Apex CCD autodiffractometer, MoK _α radiation). The crystals are triclinic, unit cell parameters are: a = 7.4755(4) Å, b = 13.9701(11) Å, c = 14.4593(19) Å, α = 82.277(2)°, β = 75.410(2)°, γ = 75.356(1)°, space group P1. The structure of the solvate contains two crystallographically independent complex [Zn(HL)Cl] molecules and two non-coordinated ethanol molecules. In each of the molecules, Zn²⁺ ions coordinate N atoms of tetradentate chelating ligands HL^? and a Cl atom. ClN₄ polyhedra have a distorted tetragonal pyramidal geometry. EtOH molecules make H-bonds with the complex molecules, thus facilitating the formation of chains along the x axis.     

Ethylenediamine and Hydroxyethylenediamine Complexes of Zinc(II): A Potentiometric Study of Composition and Stability

The equilibrium potential of saturated zinc amalgam is studied as a function of concentration of free ethylenediamine molecules, [en], in the region [en] 0.001–1 M in solutions of pH 9.5, 10.5, and 11.5. At the concentration of zinc(II) ions 2 × 10^–3 M and [en] = 1 M only simple trisethylenediamine complexes of zinc(II) form in all the solutions. At smaller [en] and pH 9.5 and 10.5, complexes Zn(en)₂ ²⁺ and Zn(en)₂OH⁺ are also present; these are complemented at pH 11.5 by Zn(en)₂(OH)₂ at [en] 0.005–0.1 M. Stability constants for these complexes are calculated.     

2D-layered structure of coordination polymer,zinc trifluoroacetate-1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane

Compound [Zn(CF₃CO₂)₂(Bpp)₂], where Bpp is 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane, was synthesized and its structure and luminescent properties were determined. Crystals are monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 21.261(1) Å, b = 17.642(1) Å, c = 18.632(1) Å, β = 115.85(1)°, V = 6289.3(6) ų, ρ_calcd = 1.453 g/cm³, Z = 8. The structure comprises 2D neutral layers of conjugated multiunit rings composed of four Zn²⁺ ions united by four bridging Bpp ligands. Each of two crystallographically nonequivalent Zn atoms is coordinated at the octahedra apices to four nitrogen atoms of two Bpp ligands and two O(CF₃CO₂) atoms. Trifluoroacetate anions are coordinated to Zn²⁺ ions in monodentate manner. The compound exhibits photoluminescence in solid state.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of two Zinc(II) complexes with 4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid

Two new complexes [Zn(Hpda)(Bth-6)]_2n (I) and [Zn(Hpda)₂] · 2(H-Bpe) (II) (HpdaH₂ = 4-hydroxypyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid, Bth-6 = 1,6-bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)hexane, Bpe = 1,2-bi(4-pyridyl)ethene) have been synthesized and characterized structurally. Their X-ray crystal structures show that the two complexes belong to a monoclinic system; space group P2₁/n with a = 11.9328(12), b = 20.975(2), c = 17.1544(17) Å; β = 91.406(2)°, Z = 4 for I; space group P2₁/c with a = 12.7150(19), b = 14.000(2), c = 22.171(3) Å; β = 96.481(2)°, Z = 4 for II. Compound I possesses a one-dimensional (1D) zigzag chain structure, each zinc(II) ion is five-coordinated with a distorted triangle bipyramid geometry. Compound II is discrete mononuclear species, in which the zinc(II) ion is six-coordinated with a distorted octahedral geometry. The [Zn(Hpda)₂]^2? units are connected one-dimensional chain by the intermolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Ion-molecule reactions in the gas phase. part XXII. Reactivity of the cis- and trans-indanediols with dimethyl ether ions

Specific reactivity of cis- and trans-indanediols has been investigated under dimethyl ether (DME) chemical ionization conditions. Several unusual species, such as [M + 29]⁺ and [M + 27]⁺ ions, are produced in high yield. From DME pressure variations and tandem mass spectrometry experiments (low-energy collisions with Ar and NH₃) including some labeled compounds, it appears that [M + 29]⁺ ions are generated by nucleophilic substitution according to a S_Ni pathway from the proton bound[M + DMEH]⁺ adduct ion. On the other hand, [M + 27]⁺ ions are produced from the covalent [M + DME ? H]⁺ adduct ions via a stepwise process inducing a water loss. This latter dehydration occurs from the adducts prepared by [DME ? H]⁺ attachment to the homobenzylic hydroxy site, which allows internal proton transfer from the charged position to the benzylic hydroxy group, promotingthe loss of water. In addition, trans indanediol labeled with ¹⁸O has been used to obtain evidence for the regioselectivity of both water-loss mechanisms from the benzylic site.     

Synthesis,spectroscopic, thermal analyses,biological activity and molecular docking studies on mixed ligand complexes derived from Schiff base ligands and 2,6‐pyridine dicarboxylic acid

Two novel Schiff base ligands (L^a and L^b) were prepared from the condensation of quinoline 2‐aldehyde with 2‐aminopyridine (ligand L^a) and from the condensation of oxamide with furfural (ligand L^b). Mixed ligand complexes of the type M⁺²L^a/b L^c were prepared, where (L^a and L^b) the primary ligands and L^c was 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid as secondary ligand. Metal ions used were Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) for mixed ligands L^a L^c and Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Hg(II) and Zn(II) for L^bL^c mixed ligands. L^a and L^b Schiff base ligands were both characterized using elemental analyses, molar conductance, IR, ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Mass spectra for L^b, [Zn(L^a)L^cCl]Cl and [Cu(L^b)L^cCl]Cl were also studied. ESR spectrum of the [Cu(L^b) L^cCl]Cl complex was also recorded The metal complexes were synthesized and characterized using elemental analyses, spectroscopic (IR, ¹H NMR, UV‐visible, diffused reflectance), molar conductance, magnetic moment and thermal studies. The IR and ¹H NMR spectral data revealed that 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxalic acid ligand coordinated to the metal ions via pyridyl N and carboxylate O without proton displacement. In addition, the IR data showed that L^a and L^b ligands behaved as neutral bidentate ligands with N₂ donation sites (quinoline N and azomethine N for L^a and two azomethine N for L^b). Based on spectroscopic studies, an octahedral geometry was proposed for the complexes. The thermal stability and degradation of the metal complexes were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The binding modes and affinities of L^a, L^b and Zn(II) complexes towards receptors of crystal structure of E. coli (PDB ID: 3 t88) and mutant oxidoreductase of breast cancer (PDB ID: 3 hb5) receptors were also studied. The antimicrobial activity against two species of Gram positive, Gram negative bacteria and fungi were tested for the Schiff base ligands, 2,6‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid and the mixed ligand complexes and revealed that the synthesized mixed ligand complexes exhibited higher antimicrobial activity than their free Schiff base ligands.     

Unusual behavior of pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazoles in fast atom bombardment (fab) and frit-fast atom bombardment (Frit-FAB) mass spectrometry. Influence of the matrix

The nature of the matrix used in Fast Atom Bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry analyses of pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazoles was found to influence significantly their positive and negative ions mass spectra. Indeed the use of glycerol provided an abundant ion corresponding to the protonated molecule (M+H)⁺ whereas the meta-nitrobenzyl alcohol favored the formation of the radical ion M^+°. Such results which are in accordance with the oxidoreduction properties of the matrices studied were also established in Frit-FAB mass spectrometry analyses of pyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazoles.     

Isotype Borophosphate MII(C2H10N2)[B2P3O12(OH)] (MII = Mg,Mn, Fe,Ni, Cu,Zn): Verbindungen mit Tetraeder‐Schichtverbänden

Isotypic Borophosphates M^II(C₂H₁₀N₂)[B₂P₃O₁₂(OH)] (M^II = Mg, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn): Compounds containing Tetrahedral Layers The isotypic compounds M^II(C₂H₁₀N₂) · [B₂P₃O₁₂(OH)] (M^II = Mg, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn) were prepared under hydrothermal conditions (T = 170 °C) from mixtures of the metal chloride (chloride hydrate, resp.), Ethylenediamine, H₃BO₃ and H₃PO₄. The orthorhombic crystal structures (Pbca, No. 61, Z = 8) were determined by X‐ray single crystal methods (Mg(C₂H₁₀N₂)[B₂P₃O₁₂(OH)]: a = 936.81(2) pm, b = 1221.86(3) pm, c = 2089.28(5) pm) and Rietveld‐methods (M^II = Mn: a = 931.91(4) pm, b = 1234.26(4) pm, c = 2129.75(7) pm, Fe: a = 935.1(3) pm, b = 1224.8(3) pm, c = 2088.0(6) pm, Ni: a = 939.99(3) pm, b = 1221.29(3) pm, c = 2074.05(7) pm, Cu: a = 941.38(3) pm, b = 1198.02(3) pm, c = 2110.01(6) pm, Zn: a = 935.06(2) pm, b = 1221.33(2) pm, c = 2094.39(4) pm), respectively. The anionic part of the structure contains tetrahedral layers, consisting of three‐ and nine‐membered rings. The M^II‐ions are in a distorted octahedral or tetragonal‐bipyramidal [4 + 2] (copper) coordination formed by oxygen functions of the tetrahedral layers. The resulting three‐dimensional structure contains channels running along [010]. Protonated Ethylenediamine ions are fixed within the channels by hydrogen bonds.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and structural characterization of a one-dimensional coordination polymer [Zn(Pydc)(Dppz)] n (H2Pydc = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, Dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine)

A new metal-organic coordination polymer [Zn(Pydc)(Dppz)] _n (I) (H₂Pydc = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, Dppz = dipyrido[3,2-a:2′,3′-c]phenazine) was hydrothermally synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR and X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The X-ray diffraction analysis reveals that I crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/c. The Pydc^2? ligands adopt O,N,O′-tridentate chelating and monodentate bridging coordination mode to link two adjacent Zn2+ ions to form a one-dimensional (1D) zigzag chain. The adjacent chains are further linked through hydrogen bonds and π-π stacking interactions, forming a three-dimensional (3D) supramolecular framework. The unit cell parameters for I: a = 7.332(3) Å, b = 36.023(9) Å, c = 7.8838(13) Å, β = 105.65(3)^○, V = 2005.1(10) ų, Z = 4.     

Structure of ions [ZnNCR]+ and [Zn(NCR)2]+ (R = H,CH3) in the gas phase

Structures of [ZnNCR]⁺ and [Zn(NCR)₂]⁺ ions (R = H, Me), which are abundant in the mass spectra of many types of coordination compounds, were studied by the MNDO method. In all cases the most stable isomers correspond to the zinc ion coordinated with the nitrogen(s) of the nitrile ligand. For [Zn(NCR)₂]⁺, the N-Zn-N angles are ～108°.