GAS-PHASE SYNTHESIS AND FT ICR MASS-SPECTROMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OFSANDWICH COMPLEXES OF SC+, Y+, AND LANTHANIDE IONS WITH 1,3,5-TRI-TERT-BUTYLBENZENE/

Gas-phase reactions of Sc+, Y+, and lanthanide metal ions (M(+)) with 1,3,5-tri-tert-butylbenzene (L) have been investigated at 10(-6) to 10 (-7) Torr by means of FT/ICR mass spectrometry in the first systematic study in which all of the lanthanide series elements (except for Pm+) are included. For Sm+, Eu+, Tm+, and Yb+, sandwich complex ions, ML(2 )(+), are formed by successive addition of intact ligand. The other me tal ions activate C-H and C-C bonds, reacting with the tert-butyl grou p to form product ions with elimination of hydrogen, methane, and othe r neutrals. For all of the lanthanide series ions, the primary ion-mol ecule reaction pathway is controlled by the metal ion electronic confi guration and the 4f to 5d promotion energy of the ion.