The significance of field ionisation kinetics to ion structure: Isomerisation and decompostition of [C4H8]+· radical ions

The kinetics of formation of C₃H₅]⁺M ? CH₃]⁺, C₃H₄]⁺·M ? CH₄]⁺· and C₂H₄]⁺·M ? C₂H₄]⁺· from but-1-ene, cis- and trans-but-2-ene, 2-methylpropene, cyclobutane and methylcyclopropance following field ionisation have been determined as a function of time 20 (or 30) picoseconds to 1 nanosecond and at two points in the microsecond time-frame. The results are consistent with the supposition that at the shortest accessible times (20 to 30 picoseconds) the structure of the C₄H₈]⁺· molecular ion qualitatively resembles that of its neutral precursor, but suggest that prior to decomposition within nanoseconds the various molecular ions (excepting cyclobutane where the processes are slower) attain a common structure or mixture of structures. Reaction pathways of the presumed known ion structures are delineated from the nature of decompostion at the shortest times.