Gas phase reactivity of rare earth metal cations with trialkylorthoformates: synthesis of neutral rare earth alkoxides

Gas phase reactions of the rare earth metal cations Y+ and Ln(+) (Ln = La-L u, except Pm) with trimethylorthoformate and of Y+ and Lu+ with triethyl an d tripropyl orthoformates were studied by Fourier transform ion cyclotron r esonance mass spectrometry. The results obtained were compared with previou s observations made with the remaining rare earth cation Sc+ and confirmed that, in the gas phase, trialkylorthoformates can be good alkoxy group supp liers, leading to dialkoxymetal ions, which subsequently react with the ort hoesters to form a dialkoxymethyl cation and presumably, a neutral metal tr ialkoxide, These reactions appear to be a possible route for the gas phase synthesis of rare earth metal alkoxides. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.