Ion-neutral complex-mediated hydrogen exchange in ionized n-butanol: A mechanism for ‘non-specific’ hydrogen migrations

Water elimination from ionized n-butanol reflects near randomization of all hydrogens in ions decomposing after ～10^?5s. This probably takes place in ion-neutral complexes by formation of a cyclobutane ion–H₂O complex and/or rearrangement within C₄H₈]⁺˙ in open-chain C₄H₈⁺˙? H₂O] complexes, in either case accompanied by hydrogen exchange between water and open-chain hydrocarbon moieties. Extensive hydrogen rearrangements in which restraints on conventional transition-state ring size have little apparent influence may generally be ion–neutral complex-mediated processes.