Doubly-charged ethane ions: Solution to the dilemma of stability predicted by theory and instability observed in experiment
ACS Citation
Shields, G. C.; Moran, T. F. Doubly-Charged Ethane Ions: Solution to the Dilemma of Stability Predicted by Theory and Instability Observed in Experiment. Org. Mass Spectrom. 1986, 21 (8), 479-483.
Version of Record
Abstract
Potential energy curves have been computed for [C2H6]2+ ions and the results used to interpret the conspicuous absence of these ions in 2E mass spectra and in charge-stripping experiments. The energies and structures of geometry-optimized ground-state singlet and excited-state triplet [C2H6]2+ ions have been determined along with energies for different decomposition barriers and dissociation asymptotes. Although singlet and triplet [C2H6]2+ ions can exist as stable entities, they possess low energy barriers to decomposition. Vertical Franck-Condon transitions, involving electron impact ionization of ethane as well as charge-stripping collisions of [C2H6]+ ions, produce [C2H6]2+ ions which promptly dissociate since they are formed with energies in excess of various decomposition barriers. Appearance energies computed for doubly-charged ethane fragment ions are in accordance with experimental values.
Source Name
Organic Mass Spectrometry
Publication Date
1986
Volume
21
Issue
8
Page(s)
479-483
Document Type
Citation
Citation Type
Article