Luminescence Spectral Properties of Europium(III) and Terbium(III) Complexes with Cinnamic Acid

Europium and terbium mixed-ligand complexes with cinnamic acid of composition Ln(Cin)₃· nD · xH₂O, where Ln = Eu³⁺or Tb³⁺, Cin is a cinnamate ion (C₆H₅CH=CHCOO^–), D = 1,10-phenantroline, 2,2"-dipyridyl, benzotriazole (n= 2, x= 0), triphenylphosphine oxide (n= 1, x= 2), or H₂O (n= 0 or 1, x= 0), were synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR and luminescence spectroscopy. The Stark structure of the ⁵ D ₀–⁷ F _j(j= 0, 1, 2) electronic transitions in the low-temperature luminescence spectra of europium complexes was analyzed. IR study has revealed a bidentate coordination of the cinnamate ion in the compounds.     

Crystal Structure and Luminescence of the [Eu(Phen)2(NO3)3] Complex. The Role of the Ion-Coactivator

The [Eu(Phen)₂(NO₃)₃] complex was synthesized via reaction of europium nitrate with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. The crystals are monoclinic: a= 11.168(1), b= 17.976(2), c= 13.053(1) Å, = 100.577(2)°, space group C2/c, Z= 4, (calcd) = 1.801 g/cm³. The central europium atom coordinates (on a two-fold axis) six oxygen atoms of three nitrate groups with distances of 2.499(2), 2.502(2), and 2.542(2) Å and four nitrogen atoms of two phenanthroline molecules with distances of 2.542(2) and 2.593(2) Å. The influence of ion-coactivators on the luminescence of Eu³⁺in the [Eu _x M_{1 - x} (Phen)₂(NO₃)₃] complexes (M = Y, La, Nd, and Lu) is discussed.     

The use of hydrogenated Schiff base ligands in the synthesis of multi-metallic compounds II

Tris(2-hydroxybenzylaminoethyl)amine (H₃L) complexes of nickel, copper and zinc are investigated as potential metallo-ligands ([(H_xL)M]; x = 0, 1: M = Ni, Cu, Zn). The homometallic complexes formed are dimetallic ([{(HL)Ni}Ni(OAc)₂] and [{(L)Zn}ZnCl]), tetrametallic ([{(L)Cu}Cu]₂²⁺) and hexametallic ([{(L)Ni}Ni₂(μ-OH)₂(OEt)(OH₂)]₂). Hetero-dimetallic complexes can be formed with [(HL)Ni] and copper chloride ([{(HL)Ni}CuCl₂]) or zinc bromide ([{(HL)Ni}ZnBr₂]). The metallo-ligand acts as a chelating agent using phenolate pairs. The remaining phenolate either does not coordinate or can be used to increase the number of metals included in the scaffold from two to four or six. Not all combinations are possible and [(HL)Cu]⁺ produces a charge separated species with zinc chloride rather than a complex. An exchange reaction is observed to take place when [(HL)Zn]⁺ is treated with the halides of nickel or copper producing [(HL)M]⁺ (M = Ni, Cu, respectively).     

Two polymorphic forms of a mixed zinc/copper biquinoline dihydrogenphosphate

Two polymorphic forms of a mixed zinc/copper biquinoline dihydrogenphosphate are presented, showing almost identical monomeric units, viz. (2,2′‐biquinoline‐κ²N,N′)bis(dihydrogenphosphato‐κO)copper(II)/zinc(II), formulated as [Zn_xCu_1−x(H₂PO₄)₂(C₁₈H₁₂N₂)], with x = 0.88 (1) and 0.90 (2). The cation is tetrahedrally coordinated to a chelating biquinoline system and two diprotonated phosphate anions. The structures differ mainly in their intermolecular hydrogen‐bonding interactions, leading to different packing schemes. No significant evidence of stress due to the Zn/Cu solid solution formation was detected.     

Properties of the perovskites, SrMn1−xFexO3−δ (x=1/3, 1/2, 2/3)

The SrMn_1−xFe_xO_3−δ (x=1/3, 1/2, 2/3) phases have been prepared and are shown by powder X-ray and neutron (for x=1/2) diffraction to adopt an ideal cubic perovskite structure with a disordered distribution of transition-metal cations over the six-coordinate B-site. Due to synthesis in air, the phases are oxygen deficient and formally contain both Fe³⁺ and Fe⁴⁺. Magnetic susceptibility data show an antiferromagnetic transition at 180 and 140 K for x=1/3 and 1/2, respectively and a spin-glass transition at 5, 25, 45 K for x=1/3, 1/2 and 2/3, respectively. The magnetic properties are explained in terms of super-exchange interactions between Mn⁴⁺, Fe^(4+δ)+ and Fe⁽³⁺⁾⁺. The XAS results for the Mn-sites in these compounds indicate small Mn-valence changes, however, the Mn-pre-edge spectra indicate increased localization of the Mn-e_g orbitals with Fe substitution. The Mössbauer results show the distinct two-site Fe⁽³⁺⁾+/Fe^(4+δ)+ disproportionation in the Mn- substituted materials with strong covalency effects at both sites. This disproportionation is a very concrete reflection of a localization of the Fe-d states due to the Mn-substitution.     

Electrophysical properties of materials based on BaGdCo2O5 + δ

The phase composition, linear thermal expansion coefficient, electroconductivity (in the temperature interval 600–900°C and partial pressures of oxygen 10⁻⁵–0.21 atm) of solid-oxide materials based on gadolinium-barium cobaltite doped with 3d-elements BaGdCo_{2 − x} Me _x O_{5 + δ}, Me = Cu, Fe; x = 0.0, 0.2, …, 2.0 were investigated. The homogeneity regions of samples were established by means of X-ray phase analysis. It was shown that the linear thermal expansion coefficient of cobaltite decreases with an increase in the copper or iron concentration. It was established that the electroconductivity of BaGdCo_{2 − x} Me _x O_{5 + δ} decreases with an increase in x. We concluded that upon a decrease in p(O₂), the electroconductivity of samples first decreases and then reaches a horizontal plateau.     

Atmospheric chemistry of n‐CH3(CH2)xCN (x = 0–3): Kinetics and mechanisms

Smog chamber/Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques were used to measure the kinetics of the reaction of n‐CH₃(CH₂)_xCN (x = 0–3) with Cl atoms and OH radicals: k(CH₃CN + Cl) = (1.04 ± 0.25) × 10⁻¹⁴, k(CH₃CH₂CN + Cl) = (9.20 ± 3.95) × 10⁻¹³, k(CH₃(CH₂)₂CN + Cl) = (2.03 ± 0.23) × 10⁻¹¹, k(CH₃(CH₂)₃CN + Cl) = (6.70 ± 0.67) × 10⁻¹¹, k(CH₃CN + OH) = (4.07 ± 1.21) × 10⁻¹⁴, k(CH₃CH₂CN + OH) = (1.24 ± 0.27) × 10⁻¹³, k(CH₃(CH₂)₂CN + OH) = (4.63 ± 0.99) × 10⁻¹³, and k(CH₃(CH₂)₃CN + OH) = (1.58 ± 0.38) × 10⁻¹² cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ at a total pressure of 700 Torr of air or N₂ diluents at 296 ± 2 K. The atmospheric oxidation of alkyl nitriles proceeds through hydrogen abstraction leading to several carbonyl containing primary oxidation products. HC(O)CN, NCC(O)OONO₂, ClC(O)OONO₂, and HCN were identified as the main oxidation products from CH₃CN, whereas CH₃CH₂CN gives the products HC(O)CN, CH₃C(O)CN, NCC(O)OONO₂, and HCN. The oxidation of n‐CH₃(CH₂)_xCN (x = 2–3) leads to a range of oxygenated primary products. Based on the measured OH radical rate constants, the atmospheric lifetimes of n‐CH₃(CH₂)_xCN (x = 0–3) were estimated to be 284, 93, 25, and 7 days for x = 0,1, 2, and 3, respectively.     

Anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant reactivities of copper(II), manganese(II) and iron(III) 3,5-di-<Emphasis Type="Italic">i</Emphasis>-propylsalicylate chelates during peroxidation of alkylbenzenes

Bioactive copper(II), iron(III), and manganese(II) 3,5-di-i-propylsalicylate (3,5-DIPS) chelates were investigated in order to determine their ability to inhibit the free radical initiated chain reactions leading to the peroxidation of isopropylbenzene (i-PrPh) and ethylbenzene (EtPh). Quantitative kinetic studies of these chelates established the following order of anti-oxidant reactivities: manganese(II)-(3,5-DIPS)₂>iron(III)(3,5-DIPS)₃>copper(II)₂(3,5-DIPS)₄> > 3,5-DIPS acid. The mechanism of anti-oxidant reactivity of these three chelates is established as being due, in part, to their chain-breaking capacity resulting from the chemical reduction of the generated peroxyl radical to yield alkybenzenelhydroperoxides via reaction of the 3,5-DIPS ligand with the peroxyl radical. In the case of manganese(II)3,5-di-i-propylsalicylate, the central metalloelement also interacts with the peroxyl radical. The manganese(II)-(3,5-DIPS)₂ and copper(II)₂(3,5-DIPS)₄ chelates were also found to exhibit alkylhydroperoxide pro-oxidative reactivity leading to the formation of the alkylbenzeneperoxyl radical. In addition, the manganese(II) atom underwent oxidation to manganese(III) with the formation of the alkylbenzenehydroperoxide or superoxide with air oxygen oxidation. Amyl acetate and dipropylamine (n-Pr₂NH) were added to the reaction mixture to model the biochemical presence of ester or amine cellular components. Addition of amyl acetate to the reaction mixture increased the anti-oxidant reactivity of manganese(II)-(3,5-DIPS)₂ while decreasing its pro-oxidant reactivity. The weaker anti-oxidant reactivites of iron(III)(3,5-DIPS)₃ and copper(II)₂(3,5-DIPS)₄ were less affected by the addition of amyl acetate and the pro-oxidant reactivity of copper(II)₂(3,5-DIPS)₄ was not changed by the addition of amyl acetate, while the pro-oxidant property of iron(III)(3,5-DIPS)₃ was eliminated. In contrast to 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol, butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT), anti-oxidant reactivities of copper(II), iron(III), and manganese(II) 3,5-DIPS chelates were dramatically enhanced by the addition of n-Pr₂NH to the reaction mixture. It is concluded that all three metalloelement chelates react with and remove alkylbenzeneperoxyl radicals and the hydroperoxyl radical. The manganese(II)-(3,5-DIPS)₂ and copper(II)₂(3,5-DIPS)₄ chelates may also be useful in removing hydroperoxides in vivo. These reactivities, in addition to their established superoxide dismutase (SOD)-mimetic and catalase-mimetic reactivities, are suggested to possibly permit anti-oxidant and pro-oxidant reactivities in aqueous and organic cellular compartments.     

Rate coefficients for reactions of OH radicals with CH3D,CH2D2, CHD3, and CD4

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) smog chamber techniques were used to investigate the atmospheric chemistry of the isotopologues of methane. Relative rate measurements were performed to determine the kinetics of the reaction of the isotopologues of methane with OH radicals in cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ units: k(CH₃D + OH) = (5.19 ± 0.90) × 10⁻¹⁵, k(CH₂D₂ + OH) = (4.11 ± 0.74) × 10⁻¹⁵, k(CHD₃ + OH) = (2.14 ± 0.43) × 10⁻¹⁵, and k(CD₄ + OH) = (1.17 ± 0.19) × 10⁻¹⁵ in 700 Torr of air diluent at 296 ± 2 K. Using the determined OH rate coefficients, the atmospheric lifetimes for CH_4–xD_x (x = 1–4) were estimated to be 6.1, 7.7, 14.8, and 27.0 years, respectively. The results are discussed in relation to previous measurements of these rate coefficients.     

Solvent extraction of cobalt(II), zinc(II) and europium(III) with 4-thiobenzoyl-2,4-dihydro-5-methyl-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-one (SBMPP)

Solvent extraction of⁶⁵zinc,⁶⁰cobalt and^152+154europium from aqueous buffers into benzene containing 4-thiobenzoyl-2,4-dihydro-5-methyl-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-one (SBMPP) has been investigated in detail (μ=0.1, T=26±1°C). The species extracted and the values of log K_ex, where K_ex refers to the extraction equilibrium, are ZnL₂ (−2.68) CoL₂(−3.08) and EuL₃(−7.08), where L is the anion of the ligand. The sulfur analog appears to be more effective than the parent ligand 4-benzoyl-2,4-dihydro-5-methyl-2-phenyl-3H-pyrazol-3-one in the extraction of zinc(II) and cobalt(II), whereas the reverse is true with europium(III).     

Thermal behaviour and spectroscopic studies of complexes of some divalent transitional metals with 2-benzoil-pyridil-izonicotinoylhydrazone

New complexes of 2-benzoyl-pyridil-isonicotinoylhydrazone (L) with Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II), having formula of type [ML₂] SO₄·xH₂O (M = Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, x = 2 and M = Mn²⁺, x = 3), have been synthesised and characterised. All complexes were characterised on the basis of elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy, UV–VIS–NIR, EPR, as well as thermal analysis and determination of molar conductivity and magnetic moments. The thermal behaviour of complexes was studied using thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The structure of L hydrazone was established by X-ray study on single crystal. The ligand works as tridentate NNO, being coordinated through the azomethine nitrogen, the pyridine nitrogen and carbonylic oxygen. Heats of decomposition, ΔH, associated with the exothermal effects were also determined.     

Metal ion distribution and solubility of Mn1−xCux(HCOO)2 · 2 H2O Mixed Crystals [1–5]

The metal ion distribution on the two metal sites of monoclinic Mn_1?xCu_x(HCOO)₂ · 2(H,D)₂O mixed crystals are studied by infrared and Raman spectroscopic methods. The spectral regions 3 200–3 400 cm^?1 (v_OH), 2 875–2 990 cm^?1 (v_CH), 2 330–2 500 cm^?1 (v_OD of matrix isolated HDO molecules), 1 350–1 400 cm^?1 (symmetric CO₂ stretching modes), 570–950 cm^?1 (H₂O librations), and 490 cm^?1 (M? O lattice modes) are mostly sensitive to the metal ions present. The frequency shifts of these bands with increasing content of copper show that Cu²⁺ prefers the M(1) site, coordinated by HCOO^? only. The strengths of the hydrogen bonds increase on going from manganese to copper formate, due to the increased synergetic effect of Cu²⁺. Solubility and X-ray data of the mixed crystals are included. Irrespective of the same crystal structure, two series of mixed crystals are formed: eutonic area at 0.65 ≥ x ≥ 0.5.     

Crystal Structure and Properties of Strontium Phosphate Apatite with Oxocuprate Ions in Hexagonal Channels

Strontium phosphate apatites containing different amounts of copper were prepared by a solid state reaction at 1100 °C or by arc melting above 1600 °C in air. The samples were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, ICP analysis, scanning electron microscopy, IR spectroscopy, MAS—¹H—NMR, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometry. X‐ray crystal structure determination was carried out for a single crystal obtained from the melt. The compound is formulated as Sr₅(PO₄)₃(CuO₂)_1/3 and has an apatite structure (space group P6₃/m, a = 9.7815(4)Å, c = 7.3018(4)Å, Z = 2) with linear CuO₂^3— ions occupying hexagonal channels. For solid state synthesized samples, Rietveld refinement of powder XRD patterns was performed. The samples obtained at 1100 °C acquire the composition Sr₅(PO₄)₃Cu_xOH_y, with x changing from 0.01 to 0.62 and y < 1—x. The copper content can be increased to x = 0.85 by annealing in argon at 950 °C. The compounds represent a hydroxyapatite in which part of the protons is substituted by Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. The ions form linear O—Cu—O units which are progressively condensed creating the Cu—O—Cu bridges on increasing copper content. IR and NMR data testify existence of OH groups, non‐disturbed and disturbed by neighboring Cu atoms. In the electron spectra, the samples exhibit absorption bands at 7800‐7900, 14200‐14500 and 17500‐17550 cm^—1, which were assigned to Cu²⁺ d‐electron transitions. By annealing the sample with x = 0.1 in oxygen at 800 °C copper is fully oxidized while retaining in channels in unusual for Cu²⁺ linear coordination.     

Sol-gel prepared copper doped SiO2 glasses

SiO₂ glasses doped with nano-sized copper particles were prepared through sol-gel method. Samples with nominal composition xCu–(1–x)SiO₂ (x=0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4) were prepared by hydrolyzing tetraethylorthosilicate with various amounts of Cu(NO₃)₂. The dried gels were heat treated at 400, 500, 600, 700°C for 10 hrs under flowing 5% H₂-95% N₂ mixture gas to reduce Cu⁺² ions to metallic copper. The amorphous nature of the SiO₂ matrix was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction. The size of particulate copper metal, which was determined by transmission electron microscopy, increases with the temperature of heat treatment and the copper content. The local structure of SiO₂ matrix was probed by FTIR. The silica matrix has no major structural change for gels heat treated at different temperatures and with different copper contents.     

Ionic Conduction in In3+‐doped ZrP2O7 at Intermediate Temperatures

A new series of Zr_1?xIn_xP₂O₇ (x=0.03, 0.06, 0.09, 0.12) samples were prepared by a solid state reaction method. XRD patterns indicated that the samples of x=0.03–0.09 exhibited a single cubic phase structure, and the doping limit of In³⁺ in ZrP₂O₇ was x=0.09. The conduction behavior was investigated in wet hydrogen using various electrochemical methods including AC impedance spectroscopy, isotope effect, gas concentration cells at intermediate temperatures (373–573 K). The conductivities were affected by the doping levels, and increased in the order: σ (x=0.03)<σ (x=0.12)<σ (x=0.06)<σ (x=0.09). The highest conductivity was observed for the sample Zr_0.91In_0.09P₂O₇ to be 1.59×10^?2 S·cm^?1 in wet hydrogen at 573 K. The isotope effect also confirmed the proton conduction of the sample under water vapor‐containing atmosphere. It was found that in wet hydrogen atmosphere Zr_0.91In_0.09P₂O₇ was almost pure ionic conductor, the ionic conduction was contributed mainly to proton and partially to oxide ionic. The H₂/air fuel cell using x=0.09 sample as electrolyte (thickness: 1.73 mm) generated a maximum power density of 13.5 mW·cm^?2 at 423 K and 16.9 mW·cm^?2 at 448 K, respectively.     

Identification of the Chromophore in the Apatite Pigment [Sr10(PO4)6(CuxOH1−x−y)2]: Linear OCuO− Featuring a Resonance Raman Effect,an Extreme Magnetic Anisotropy,and Slow Spin Relaxation

A new chromophore has been identified in copper‐doped apatite pigments having the general composition [Sr₁₀(PO₄)₆(Cu_xOH_1?x?y)₂], in which x=0.1, 0.3 and y=0.01–0.42. By using X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, low‐temperature magnetization measurements, and synchrotron X‐ray powder structure refinement, it has been shown that the oxygenated compounds contain simultaneously diamagnetic Cu¹⁺ and paramagnetic Cu³⁺ with S=1. Cu³⁺ is located at the same crystallographic position as Cu¹⁺, being linearly coordinated by two oxygen atoms and forming the OCuO^? anion. The Raman spectroscopy study of [A₁₀(PO₄)₆(Cu_xOH_1?x?y)₂,], in which A=Ca, Sr, Ba, reveals resonance bands at 651–656 cm^?1 assigned to the symmetric stretching vibration (ν₁) of OCuO^?. The strontium apatite pigment exhibits a strong paramagnetic anisotropy with an unprecedentedly large negative zero‐field splitting parameter (D) of ≈?400 cm^?1. The extreme magnetic anisotropy causes slow magnetization relaxation with relaxation times (τ) up to 0.3 s at T=2 K, which relates the compounds to single‐ion magnets. At low temperature, τ is limited by a spin quantum‐tunneling, whereas at high temperature a thermally activated relaxation prevails with U_eff≈48 cm^?1. Strong dependence of τ on the paramagnetic center concentration at low temperature suggests that the spin‐spin relaxation dominates in the spin quantum‐tunneling process. The compound is the first example of a d‐metal‐based single‐ion magnet with S=1, the smallest spin at which an energy barrier arises for the spin flipping.     

Structural and photophysical studies on a linear trinuclear zinc complex of 2-[(2-hydroxyethylimino)methyl]quinolin-8-ol

A linear trinuclear zinc complex was obtained when after refluxing 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde and 2-aminoethanol (in a 1:1 molar ratio) until the formation of the H₂L ligand, a methanol solution of zinc acetate dihydrate was added. Reaction between Zn(OAc)₂·2H₂O and H₂L, both in 3:2 or 4:2 ratios, yielded Zn₃(HL)₂(OAc)₄. This latter could be crystallographically characterised, and rather surprisingly, the potentially tetradentate HL⁻ is only acting as an O,N-donor, while two phenolate and four acetate bridges hold together the three zinc ions. A study of the luminescence properties in methanol solution showed that the quantum yield of Zn₃(HL)₂(OAc)₄ (Φ_F = 0.07) is slightly higher than that of 8-hydroxyquinoline-2-carboxaldehyde (Φ_F = 0.06).     

High‐Pressure Synthesis and Physical Properties of the Europium‐Substituted Barium Clathrate Ba8−xEuxGe43□3 (x ≤ 0.6)

The new clathrate Ba_8–xEuxGe₄₃□₃ (x = 0.6) was synthesized at a pressure of 1 GPa and temperatures of up to 1220 K by means of a multi‐anvil device (Walker module) and a hydraulic 1000 ton press. X‐ray powder diffraction data indicate that the crystal structure of Ba_8–xEuxGe₄₃□₃ (x = 0.6, space group , a = 21.2588(3) Å) corresponds to that of Ba₈Ge₄₃□₃. Measurements of the magnetic susceptibility of Ba_8–xEuxGe₄₃□₃ reveal Curie‐paramagnetic behaviour and prove that the electronic state of europium corresponds to 4f⁷, i.e., Eu²⁺. Electrical resistivity shows a metal‐like temperature dependence and ρ(300) ≈ 2mΩ cm for x = 0.6. Heat capacity measurements reveal an upturn of c_p/T(T) below 7 K that is attributed to magnetic interaction of the europium ions.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Nd~(3+)-Doped Indium-sodium Tetraborate Glasses

Glasses in the system xNd₂O₃·(10?x)In₂O₃·90Na₂B₄O₇ (with x=0, 1, 3, 5 mol%) were fabricated via a melt quenching technique. The amorphous nature of the quenched glasses was confirmed by X‐ray powder diffraction studies. The infrared spectra of the glasses show no boroxol ring formation in the structure of these glasses. Optical absorption of glasses shows that the transition ⁴I_9/2→⁴G_5/2+²G_7/2 is more intense than the other transitions, which shifts from 580 nm (for the free Nd³⁺ ion ) to 584 nm. The peak in fluorescence spectra for x=5 mol% Nd³⁺ in the region 800–900 nm under excitation wavelength 584 nm was attributed to ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_9/2 transition. Differential thermal analysis for (x=5 mol% Nd³⁺) shows glass transition (ca. 600°C) and crystallization temperatures (ca. 1155, 975°C). The scanning electron microscopy studies indicate the amorphous state of glass sample.     

In-source fragmentation technique for the production of thermalized ions

Our electrospray ionization-ion funnel-rf hexapole (ESI-IF-6P) source is designed to produce ions for threshold collision-induced dissociation (TCID) studies in a guided ion beam mass spectrometer. This ion source forms an initial distribution of Ca²⁺(H₂O) _x ions where x is 6–9. A new in-source fragmentation technique within the hexapole ion guide of the source is described, which is easy to implement and of modest machining and electrical costs, and is able to generate smaller Ca²⁺(H₂O) _x complexes, where x=2–5. Fragmentation is achieved by biasing an assembly of six 0.25 in. long electrodes that are inserted between the hexapole rods. The assembly is positioned in the high-pressure region of the source such that newly formed Ca²⁺(H₂O) _x ions undergo enough collisions to become thermalized, as verified by TCID studies. From the initial distribution of ions, fragmentation proceeds along the lowest energy pathway, which corresponds to sequential water loss for most complexes. However, the Ca²⁺(H₂O) complex cannot be formed using this method because charge separation into CaOH⁺ and H₃O⁺ becomes the lowest energy pathway from the Ca²⁺(H₂O)₂ complex. Therefore, this fragmentation technique can be used to identify the critical size complex for M²⁺(H₂O) _x systems, which we define as the complex size (x) at which charge separation becomes a lower energy pathway compared with simple ligand loss.