The generation of carbene radical cations (R-C-R.+) and related ions in the
gas phase using various mass spectrometric techniques is critically review
ed. Their reactions as well as their thermochemical properties obtained eit
her experimentally or from ab initio quantum chemical methods are also disc
ussed. The review covers the literature published during the last 20 years
and includes more than 120 papers. (Int J Mass Spectrom 202 (2000) A8-A25)
(C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.