Ionic Isomer Distinction by Neutralization‐Reionization Mass Spectrometry (NRMS): Carbonic Acid Radical Cations, (HO)2CO˙⊕ versus (H2O/CO2)˙⊕ Clusters

Reactions between CO2, and H2O or the corresponding radical cations are easily investigated with the aid of mass spectrometry. Whereas CO2 reacts with H2O to give the weakly bonded van der Waals cluster 1, reaction of H2O.⊕ with CO2 leads exclusively to the proton‐bridged isomer 2.⊕. Attempts with a mass spectrometer to prepare the so far unknown neutral cluster 2 from 2.⊕ under neutralization/reionization conditions were unsuccessful. This is presumably a consequence of the considerable difference between the (calculated) bond lengths and bond angles in the two species 2.⊕ and 2. The formation of (HO)2CO was not observed under these conditions. equation image

Ionic Isomer Distinction by Neutralization‐Reionization Mass Spectrometry (NRMS): Carbonic Acid Radical Cations, (HO)₂CO^˙⊕ versus (H₂O/CO2)^˙⊕ Clusters Journal Articles