Ab initio calculations on the isomerization of the 1,5-hexadiyne radical cation

Ab initio calculations at the MRCI//ROHF/6-31G** level suggest that the 1,5-hexadiyne radical cation is not stable and isomerizes to the 1,2,4,5-hexatetraene radical cation without a barrier. After this rearrangement, the internal energy of the ions will be sufficient for a subsequent isomerization to the benzene structure. At energies of about 1 eV above the vertical ionization energy, the 1,5-hexadiyne radical cation may dissociate to linear neutral and ionic C₃H₃ fragments. These results are in excellent agreement with previous experiments.