A new dual-cell Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) device will be used to obtain detailed mechanistic, kinetic, and thermochemical information for a number of ions of current interest. Three areas will be investigated: (1) bimolecular reactions of radical cations, where the charge and radical sites are separated (distonic ions); (2) the stability and reactivity of solvent-free reactions of diazonium ions, which are important intermediates in organic chemistry; and (3) the structure, chemical properties, and stabilities of dicoordinated phosphorous cations (phosphenium ions). This will also yield heats of formation for various interesting neutral, electron-deficient phosphorous compounds. %%% This grant from the Organic Dynamics Program supports the research of Dr. Hilkka I. Kenttamaa at Purdue University. Positively charged ions will be generated in the gas-phase by bombarding molecules with electrons. These ions will be trapped for various periods of time in a specially designed cell, so that their reactions can be examined as a function of time. By this means, the rate at which these reactions proceed and the energy of these unusual ions in the gas-phase will be determined. Comparisons will be made between some of these reactions in the gas-phase and in solution to determine the effect of solvent molecules.
