GAS-PHASE ION-MOLECULE REACTIONS OF C-60 WITH METHYL ETHERS CH3OCNH2N+1

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of buckminsterfullerene (C-60) with t he ion systems generated from the self-chemical-ionization of alkyl me thyl ethers(CH3OCnH2n+1, n =2 , 3, 4) were studied in the ion source o f a mass spectrometer. The adduct cation [C60C2H5O](+) and protonated molecular ion [C60H](+) were observed as the major products, The forme r was produced by the reactions.of C-60 with the methoxymethyl ion [CH 3O = CH2](+) , the latter corresponded to the proton transfer reaction s from the protonated alkyl methyl ethers to C60 It is suggested that the [3+2] cycloadduct is the most favorable structure among the probab le isomers with special chemical properties, Our investigation provide s the guidance for the synthesis of this compound in condensed phase.