A REGIOSPECIFIC CYCLOADDITION - SUCCESSIVE REACTIONS OF .CH(2)CH(2)OH()+ WITH CH(2)O

Four dominant reactions can be observed when the beta-distonic ion .CH 2CH2OH2+ reacts in the cell of a Fourier-transform ion cyclotron reson ance spectrometer with a number of neutral molecules: protonation of t he neutral molecule, ethylene radical-cation transfer, hydride abstrac tion from the neutral molecule, and charge exchange. Among the ethylen e transfer reactions, which can lead to a variety of other distonic io ns, we have throroughly studied the reaction with formaldehyde. The re action of a first molecule of CH2O yields .CH2CH2OCH2+. The addition o f a second one leads to 1,3-dioxane which stabilizes by H. loss. This latter reaction is regiospecific.