The generation of neutral derivatives of low-valence iron, RFe(I), by netralization-reionization mass spectrometry

Neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry is applied for the generation of low-valence iron derivatives. Neutralization of Rfe(+) (R=H, F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OH, NH(2), acac, C(6)H(5)) ions resulted in the corresponding neutrals having lifetimes of at least 5 micros. Atom connectivities in RFe ions and neutrals were elucidated by a variety of tandem mass spectrometry techniques. The present study provides the first experimental evidence of the intrinsic stability of neutral IFe, NCFe, acacFe and C(6)H(5)Fe.