Bond-formation versuselectron transfer: C–C-coupling reactions of hydrocarbon dications with benzene

Bimolecular reactions of CH2CN2+ with Ar, N2 and CO: reactivity and dynamics

The reactivity, energetics and dynamics of bimolecular reactions between CH₂CN²⁺ and three neutral species (Ar, N₂ and CO) have been studied using a position sensitive coincidence methodology at centre-of-mass collision energies of 4.3-5.0 eV. This is the first study of bimolecular reactions involving CH₂CN²⁺, a species relevant to the ionospheres of planets and satellites, including Titan. All of the collision systems investigated display two collision-induced dissociation (CID) channels, resulting in the formation of C⁺ + CH₂N⁺ and H⁺ + HC₂N⁺. Evidence for channels involving further dissociation of the CID product HC₂N⁺, forming H + CCN⁺, were detected in the N₂ and CO systems. Proton-transfer from the dication to the neutral species occurs in all three of the systems via a direct mechanism. Additionally, there are product channels resulting from single electron transfer following collisions of CH₂CN²⁺ with both N₂ and CO, but interestingly no electron transfer following collisions with Ar. Electronic structure calculations of the lowest energy electronic states of CH₂CN²⁺ reveal six local geometric minima: both doublet and quartet spin states for cyclic, linear (CH₂CN), and linear isocyanide (CH₂NC) molecular geometries. The lowest energy electronic state was determined to be the doublet state of the cyclic dication. The ready generation of C⁺ ions by collision-induced dissociation suggests that the cyclic or linear isocyanide dication geometries are present in the [CH₂CN]²⁺ beam.

Bimolecular reactions of S2+ with Ar, H2 and N2: reactivity and dynamics

The reactivity, energetics and dynamics of bimolecular reactions between S²⁺ and three neutral species (Ar, H₂ and N₂) have been studied using a position-sensitive coincidence methodology at centre-of-mass collision energies below 6 eV. This is the first study of bimolecular reactions involving S²⁺, a species detected in planetary ionospheres, the interstellar medium, and in anthropogenic manufacturing processes. The reactant dication beam employed consists predominantly of S²⁺ in the ground ³P state, but some excited states are also present. Most of the observed reactions involve the ground state of S²⁺, but the dissociative electron transfer reactions appear to exclusively involve excited states of this atomic dication. We observe exclusively single electron-transfer between S²⁺ and Ar, a process which exhibits strong forward scatting typical of the Landau-Zener style dynamics observed for other dicationic electron transfer reactions. Following collisions between S²⁺ + H₂, non-dissociative and dissociative single electron-transfer reactions were detected. The dynamics here show evidence for the formation of a long-lived collision complex, [SH₂]²⁺, in the dissociative single electron-transfer channel. The formation of SH⁺ was not observed. In contrast, the collisions of S²⁺ + N₂ result in the formation of SN⁺ + N⁺ in addition to the products of single electron-transfer reactions.

Study of the Reactivity of CH3COOH+• and COOH+ Ions with CH3NH2: Evidence of the Formation of New Peptide-like C(O)-N Bonds

Acetamide, a small organic compound containing a peptide bond, was observed in the interstellar medium, but reaction pathways leading to the formation of this prebiotic molecule remain uncertain. We investigated the possible formation of a peptide-like bond from the reaction between acetic acid (CH₃-COOH) and methylamine (CH₃-NH₂) that were identified in the interstellar medium. From an experimental point of view, a quadrupole/octopole/quadrupole mass spectrometer was used in combination with synchrotron radiation as a tunable source of VUV photons for monitoring the reactivity of selected ions. Acetic acid was photoionized, and the reactivity of CH₃COOH^+• as well as COOH⁺ (produced from either acetic acid or formic acid) ions with neutral CH₃NH₂ was further studied. With no surprise, charge transfer, proton transfer, and concomitant dissociation processes were found to largely dominate the reactivity. However, a C(O)-N bond formation process between the two reactants was also evidenced, with a weak cross section reaction. From a theoretical point of view, results concerning reactivity and barrier heights were obtained using density functional theory, with the LC-ωPBE range-separated functional in combination with the 6-311++G(d,p) Pople basis set and are in perfect agreement with the experimental data.

Bond-forming and electron-transfer reactivity between Ar2+ and N2

Collisions between Ar2+ and N2 have been studied using a coincidence technique at a centre-of-mass (CM) collision energy of 5.1 eV. Four reaction channels generating pairs of monocations are observed: Ar+ + N2+, Ar+ + N+, ArN+ + N+ and N+ + N+. The formation of Ar+ + N2+ is the most intense channel, displaying forward scattering but with a marked tail to higher scattering angles. This scattering, and other dynamics data, is indicative of direct electron transfer competing with a 'sticky' collision between the Ar2+ and N2 reactants. Here Ar+ is generated in its ground (2P) state and N2+ is primarily in the low vibrational levels of the C2Σu+ state. A minor channel involving the initial population of higher energy N2+ states, lying above the dissociation asymptote to N+ + N, which fluoresce to stable states of N2+ is also identified. The formation of Ar+ + N+ by dissociative single electron transfer again reveals the involvement of two different pathways for the initial electron transfer (direct or complexation). This reaction pathway predominantly involves excited states of Ar2+ (1D and 1S) populating N2+* in its dissociative C2Σu+, 22Πg and D2Πg states. Formation of ArN+ + N+ proceeds via a direct mechanism. The ArN+ is formed, with significant vibrational excitation, in its ground (X3Σ-) state. Formation of N+ + N+ is also observed as a consequence of double electron transfer forming N22+. The exoergicity of the subsequent N22+ dissociation reveals the population of the A1Πu and D3Πg dication states.

Bond-forming and electron-transfer reactivity between Ar2+ and O2

The reactivity, energetics and dynamics of the bimolecular reactions between Ar²⁺ and O₂ have been studied using a position sensitive coincidence methodology at a collision energy of 4.4 eV.

Energy partitioning in single-electron transfer events between gaseous dications and their neutral counterparts

Electron-transfer reactions between hydrocarbon dications and neutral hydrocarbons lead to an unequal deposition of the excess energy from the reaction in the pair of monocations formed. The initial observation of this phenomenon was explained by the different states accessible upon single-electron capture by a dication compared to single-electron ejection from a neutral compound. Alternatively, however, isomeric structures of the dicationic species, pronounced Franck-Condon effects, as well as excess energy in the dicationic precursors could cause the asymmetric energy partitioning in such dication/neutral collisions. Here, the investigation of this phenomenon in an interdisciplinary cooperation is described, shedding light not only upon a possible solution of the problem at hand, but also providing an example for the synergistic benefits of international research networks applying complementary approaches.

Electronic state selectivity in dication-molecule single electron transfer reactions: NO(2+) + NO

The single-electron transfer reaction between NO(2+) and NO, which initially forms a pair of NO(+) ions, has been studied using a position-sensitive coincidence technique. The reactivity in this class of collision system, which involves the interaction of a dication with its neutral precursor, provides a sensitive test of recent ideas concerning electronic state selectivity in dicationic single-electron transfer reactions. In stark contrast to the recently observed single-electron transfer reactivity in the analogous CO(2)(2+)/CO(2) and O(2)(2+)/O(2) collision systems, electron transfer between NO(2+) and NO generates two product NO(+) ions which behave in an identical manner, whether the ions are formed from NO(2+) or NO. This observed behaviour is in excellent accord with the recently proposed rationalization of the state selectivity in dication-molecule SET reactions using simple propensity rules involving one-electron transitions.

Doubly-charged ions in the planetary ionospheres: a review

This paper presents a review of the current knowledge on the doubly-charged atomic and molecular positive ions in the planetary atmospheres of the Solar System. It is focused on the terrestrial planets which have a dense atmosphere of N(2) or CO(2), i.e. Venus, the Earth and Mars, but also includes Titan, the largest satellite of Saturn, which has a dense atmosphere composed mainly of N(2) and a few percent of methane. Given the composition of these neutral atmospheres, the following species are considered: C(++), N(++), O(++), CH(4)(++), CO(++), N(2)(++), NO(++), O(2)(++), Ar(++) and CO(2)(++). We first discuss the status of their detection in the atmospheres of planets. Then, we provide a comprehensive review of their complex and original photochemistry, production and loss processes. Synthesis tables are provided for those ions, while a discussion on individual species is also provided. Methods for detecting doubly-charged ions in planetary atmospheres are presented, namely with mass-spectrometry, remote sensing and fine plasma density measurements. A section covers some original applications, like the possible effect of the presence of doubly-charged ions on the escape of an atmosphere, which is a key topic of ongoing planetary exploration, related to the evolution of a planet. The results of models, displayed in a comparative way for Venus, Earth, Mars and Titan, are discussed, as they can predict the presence of doubly-charged ions and will certainly trigger new investigations. Finally we give our view concerning next steps, challenges and needs for future studies, hoping that new scientific results will be achieved in the coming years and feed the necessary interdisciplinary exchanges amongst different scientific communities.

Ion-mobility mass spectrometry of complexes of nickel and acetonitrile

Mono- and dications of microsolvated nickel complexes of acetonitrile are probed by means of ion-mobility mass spectrometry. Specifically, the complexes [(CH3CN)nNi]+, [(CH3CN)nNi]2+, [(CH3CN)nNiOH]+, and [(CH3CN)nNiCl]+ (n = 0–6) are compared to each other and their reactions with background water are probed. In general, the arrival times of the ions in the ion-mobility experiment linearly increase with the mass-to-charge ratio, but for the smaller, more reactive complexes, the arrival times are notably larger than expected from their mass. This effect is attributed to the markedly larger reactivity of these particular ions, as reflected in both charge-separation processes as well as adduct formation upon interaction with background water.

Complexation of late transition metal(II) ions (M = Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn) by a macrocyclic thiacrown ether studied by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) is used to probe the metal-binding selectivity of a macrocyclic thiacrown ether (C(44)H(32)S(20)) towards Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II). In homogeneous 1:1 v/v methanol/dichloromethane solutions, it is found that the thia ligand very selectively binds traces of copper even in the presence of an excess of the other metal ions. The large selectivity is ascribed to the redox-active nature of copper which enables a reduction from Cu(II) to Cu(I), occurring upon ESI-MS, whereas Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) cannot undergo similar redox reactions.

Preferential formation of homochiral silver(I) complexes upon coordination of two aza[6]helicene ligands to Ag+ ions

By means of selective deuterium labeling of 1-aza[6]helicene combined with resolution of the enantiomers, chiral discrimination in silver(I)-bound dimers of the type [LAgL′]+ is probed by electrospray mass spectrometry. The analysis of the results reveals a pronounced preference for the formation of homochiral dimers (P,P and M,M, respectively) over the statistically preferred heterochiral variant (P,M), which is fully consistent with previous data about the formation of homochiral dimers in the condensed phase. Further, competitive experiments with mixtures of 1- and 2-aza[6]helicene suggest a largely preferred coordination of 1-aza[6]helicene to the silver(I) cation.

First and second ionization energies of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene and 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine

The first and second ionization energies of trimethyl substituted analogs of benzene and pyridine are determined by means of mass spectrometry in conjunction with synchrotron radiation. The first ionization energy of 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene amounts to (8.38 ± 0.05) eV and the second ionization energy to (22.8 ± 0.1) eV. The first ionization energy of 2,4,6-trimethylpyridine is determined as (8.65 ± 0.05) eV and the second ionization energy as (23.0 ± 0.1) eV. The ionization energies are compared with those of unsubstituted benzene and pyridine and the effects of the methyl groups are evaluated by means of isodesmic reactions. As expected, it is found that the electron-donating effect of the methyl groups stabilizes neutral pyridine and doubly charged pyridine more than neutral benzene and doubly charged benzene, respectively. Surprisingly, the opposite effect is found for the radical cations, which is ascribed to the unfavorable degenerate electronic structure of benzene radical-cation, which disappears upon the methyl substitution.

Competition of electron transfer, dissociation, and bond-forming processes in the reaction of the CO(2)(2+) dication with neutral CO(2)

The bimolecular reactivity of the CO(2)(2+) dication with neutral CO(2) is investigated using triple quadrupole and ion-ion coincidence mass spectrometry. Crucial for product analysis is the use of appropriate isotope labelling in the quadrupole experiments in order to distinguish the different reactive pathways. The main reaction corresponds to single-electron transfer from the neutral reagent to the dication, i.e. CO(2)(2+) + CO(2) --> 2CO(2)(+); this process is exothermic by almost 10 eV, if ground state monocations are formed. Interestingly, the results indicate that the CO(2)(+) ion formed when the dication accepts an electron dissociates far more readily than the CO(2)(+) ion formed from the neutral CO(2) molecule. This differentiation of the two CO(2)(+) products is rationalized by showing that the population of the key dissociative states of the CO(2)(+) monocation will be favoured from the CO(2)(2+) dication rather than from neutral CO(2). In addition, two bond-forming reactions are observed as minor channels, one of which leads to CO(+) and O(2)(+) as ionic products and the other affords a long-lived C(2)O(3)(2+) dication.

On the C-C Coupling of the Naphthylium Ion with Methane

Unlike other medium-sized hydrocarbon cations CmHn+ (m = 7-11, n = 6-12), the naphthylium ion C10H7+ undergoes a thermal reaction with methane to form the C-C coupled product C11H9+ concomitant with dehydrogenation. This reaction, which might be of relevance in the context of the growth of hydrocarbon species under extreme conditions, is suggested to lead to a benzylium-type cation in analogy to the C-C coupling of phenyl cations with methane.

Gas-phase models for catalysis: alkane activation and olefin epoxidation by the triatomic cation Ag2O+

Electrospray ionization of aqueous silver nitrate is used for the preparation of the disilver-oxide cation Ag2O+ in the gas phase. The mass-selected cation is capable of activating C-H bonds of simple alkanes other than methane via H-atom abstraction, i.e., Ag2O+ + R-H --> Ag2OH+ + R* (R = C2H5, C3H7, C4H9). Clean O-atom transfer from Ag2O+ is observed with ethene as a neutral reagent, whereas oxygenation and allylic C-H abstraction compete in the case of propene. The gaseous Ag2O+ cation can thus be regarded as a minimalist model for the problems associated with the silver-mediated epoxidation of olefins more complex than ethene itself. The experimental findings are fully supported by the results of quantum chemical studies, thereby providing deep mechanistic insight into the reactions in the idealized gas phase, which also might have implications for further improvements in applied catalysis.

Chiral superbases: the proton affinities of 1- and 2-aza[6]helicene in the gas phase

The proton affinities (PAs) of 1- and 2-azahelicene were determined using various mass spectrometric techniques and complementary results from density functional theory. With PAs of about 1000 kJ mol(-1), the helical backbone of both compounds offer promising perspectives for future research on enantioselective reactions of these helical nitrogen bases.

Dissociation Reactions of Free Tetrapyridinium Tetracations and of Their Catenanes

Electrospray ionization from methanolic solution can be used for the generation of the free cyclophane tetracations 1(4+) -3(4+) from the corresponding hexafluorophosphates. In the idealized gas phase, these tetracations are long-lived and can easily be handled for further spectroscopic studies. Collision-induced dissociation of the free tetracations brings about charge separation via cleavage of the pyridinium bonds, leading to a pair of dications. Subsequently, these dications undergo another charge separation reaction to finally afford singly charged cations. In addition to the free tetracations, also the corresponding trications having one PF6- counterion are examined. Collision-induced dissociation of the trications leads to a formal substitution reaction concomitant with C-F bond formation. Further, the catenanes of the tetracations 1(4+) -3(4+) with bis-p-phenylene-34-crown-10 (4) are investigated. For the parent compound 1, also the gas-phase infrared spectrum is reported for the first time.

Bimolecular reactions of molecular dications: reactivity paradigms and bond-forming processes

The bimolecular reactivity of molecular dications in the gas phase is reviewed from an experimental point of view. Recent research has demonstrated that in addition to the ubiquitous occurrence of electron transfer in the reactions of gaseous dications with neutral molecules, bond-forming reactions play a much larger role than anticipated before. Thus, quite a number of hydrogen-containing dications show proton transfer to neutral reagents as an abundant or even as the major pathway, and also the nature of the neutral reagent itself is decisive for the amount of proton transfer which takes place. Further, several hydrocarbon dications C(m)H(n)(2+) of medium size (m = 6-14, n = 6-10) undergo bond-forming reactions with unsaturated hydrocarbons such as acetylene or benzene, thereby offering new routes for the formation of larger aromatic compounds under extreme conditions such as interstellar environments. Likewise, recent results on the bimolecular reactivity of multiply charged metal ions have revealed the occurrence of a number of new bond-forming reactions which open promising prospects for further research.