The influence of ligand substituents and donor atom sets on the gas phase electron attachment reactions of bis-chelates of nickel(II)

Electron attachment reactions and negative ion mass spectra which were obtained under negative chemical ionization conditions have been examined for a series of 21 nickel(II) bis-chelates of formula NiR¹CXCHCYR²]₂. Three ligand donor atom sets (X, Y), respectively O₄, O₂S₂, S₄ were investigated for each of the substituent combinations, viz.: R¹=CH₃, CF₃ or C₂H₅O, R²=CH₃; R¹=C₆H₅, CH₃ or CF₃, R²=C₆H₅; and R¹ = R² = tert?C₄H₉. While the ligand substituent combinations exerted considerable influence over the various ion decomposition reactions, the relative molecular ion stabilities were largely dependent on the ligand donor atom sets and followed the sequence O₄? O₂S₂>S₄ for most substituent combinations. Rationalizations are offered in terms of reductive electron capture reactions involving metal-based orbitals, as well as the increasing stabilities of reaction products as sulphur is incorporated into the ligand donor atom sets. A comparison is also given of negative ion mass spectral data obtained under electron impact conditions as well as negative chemical ionization conditions when methane was used as an electron energy moderating gas.