Collisional Activation Experiments Research Articles

Mass spectrometry approaches to natural and synthetic melanin characterization

AbstractCharacterization of synthetic and natural melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) has been challenging due to the variability of properties and chemical bonding. Although eumelanin was the first to be discovered, four additional subcategories of melanin now exist including pheomelanin, neuromelanin, allomelanin and pyomelanin. Mass spectrometry (MS) methods have provided crucial insights into the bonding, structure, and mechanism regarding MNP formation, but inconsistent findings in the literature have caused further confusion in the analysis and structure of MNPs. This mini‐review will focus on the types of MS experiments that have been used to analyze MNPs and what kind of information can be gained from different ionization sources, collisional activation experiments, and reaction monitoring quantitative methods when analyzing different subcategories of MNPs. Additionally, future directions regarding alternative applications of MNPs in MS experiments, mass defect analyses of complex mixtures, and a standardized nomenclature for isomeric redox states will all be addressed. © 2023 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.

Linking Gas-Phase and Solution-Phase Protein Unfolding via Mobile Proton Simulations.

Native mass spectrometry coupled to ion mobility (IM-MS) combined with collisional activation (CA) of ions in the gas phase (in vacuo) is an important method for the study of protein unfolding. It has advantages over classical biophysical and structural techniques as it can be used to analyze small volumes of low-concentration heterogeneous mixtures while maintaining solution-like behavior and does not require labeling with fluorescent or other probes. It is unclear, however, whether the unfolding observed during collision activation experiments mirrors solution-phase unfolding. To bridge the gap between in vacuo and in-solution behavior, we use unbiased molecular dynamics (MD) to create in silico models of in vacuo unfolding of a well-studied protein, the N-terminal domain of ribosomal L9 (NTL9) protein. We utilize a mobile proton algorithm (MPA) to create 100 thermally unfolded and coulombically unfolded in silico models for observed charge states of NTL9. The unfolding behavior in silico replicates the behavior in-solution and is in line with the in vacuo observations; however, the theoretical collision cross section (CCS) of the in silico models was lower compared to that of the in vacuo data, which may reflect reduced sampling.

Cyclic Ion Mobility-Collision Activation Experiments Elucidate Protein Behavior in the Gas Phase.

Ion mobility coupled to mass spectrometry (IM-MS) is widely used to study protein dynamics and structure in the gas phase. Increasing the energy with which the protein ions are introduced to the IM cell can induce them to unfold, providing information on the comparative energetics of unfolding between different proteoforms. Recently, a high-resolution cyclic IM-mass spectrometer (cIM-MS) was introduced, allowing multiple, consecutive tandem IM experiments (IMn) to be carried out. We describe a tandem IM technique for defining detailed protein unfolding pathways and the dynamics of disordered proteins. The method involves multiple rounds of IM separation and collision activation (CA): IM-CA-IM and CA-IM-CA-IM. Here, we explore its application to studies of a model protein, cytochrome C, and dimeric human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), a cytotoxic and amyloidogenic peptide involved in type II diabetes. In agreement with prior work using single stage IM-MS, several unfolding events are observed for cytochrome C. IMn-MS experiments also show evidence of interconversion between compact and extended structures. IMn-MS data for hIAPP shows interconversion prior to dissociation, suggesting that the certain conformations have low energy barriers between them and transition between compact and extended forms.

Native Mass Spectrometry of Antimicrobial Peptides in Lipid Nanodiscs Elucidates Complex Assembly.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are generally cationic and amphipathic peptides that show potential applications to combat the growing threat of antibiotic resistant infections. AMPs are known to interact with bacterial membranes, but their mechanisms of toxicity and selectivity are poorly understood, in part because it is challenging to characterize AMP oligomeric complexes within lipid bilayers. Here, we used native mass spectrometry to measure the stoichiometry of AMPs inserted into lipoprotein nanodiscs with different lipid components. Titrations of increasing peptide concentration and collisional activation experiments reveal that AMPs can exhibit a range of behaviors from nonspecific incorporation into the nanodisc to formation of specific complexes. This new approach to characterizing formation of AMP complexes within lipid membranes will provide unique insights into AMP mechanisms.

A Novel MS-Cleavable Azo Cross-Linker for Peptide Structure Analysis by Free Radical Initiated Peptide Sequencing (FRIPS).

The chemical cross-linking/mass spectrometry (MS) approach is a growing research field in structural proteomics that allows gaining insights into protein conformations. It relies on creating distance constraints between cross-linked amino acid side chains that can further be used to derive protein structures. Currently, the most urgent task for designing novel cross-linking principles is an unambiguous and automated assignment of the created cross-linked products. Here, we introduce the homobifunctional, amine-reactive, and water soluble cross-linker azobisimidoester (ABI) as a prototype of a novel class of cross-linkers. The ABI-linker possesses an innovative modular scaffold combining the benefits of collisional activation lability with open shell chemistry. This MS-cleavable cross-linker can be efficiently operated via free radical initiated peptide sequencing (FRIPS) in positive ionization mode. Our proof-of-principle study challenges the gas phase behavior of the ABI-linker for the three amino acids, lysine, leucine, and isoleucine, as well as the model peptide thymopentin. The isomeric amino acids leucine and isoleucine could be discriminated by their characteristic side chain fragments. Collisional activation experiments were conducted via positive electrospray ionization (ESI) on two Orbitrap mass spectrometers. The ABI-mediated formation of odd electron product ions in MS/MS and MS3 experiments was evaluated and compared with a previously described azo-based cross-linker. All cross-linked products were amenable to automated analysis by the MeroX software, underlining the future potential of the ABI-linker for structural proteomics studies. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Novel Concepts of MS-Cleavable Cross-linkers for Improved Peptide Structure Analysis.

The chemical cross-linking/mass spectrometry (MS) approach is gaining increasing importance as an alternative method for studying protein conformation and for deciphering protein interaction networks. This study is part of our ongoing efforts to develop innovative cross-linking principles for a facile and efficient assignment of cross-linked products. We evaluate two homobifunctional, amine-reactive, and MS-cleavable cross-linkers regarding their potential for automated analysis of cross-linked products. We introduce the bromine phenylurea (BrPU) linker that possesses a unique structure yielding a distinctive fragmentation pattern on collisional activation. Moreover, BrPU delivers the characteristic bromine isotope pattern and mass defect for all cross-linker-decorated fragments. We compare the fragmentation behavior of the BrPU linker with that of our previously described MS-cleavable TEMPO-Bz linker (which consists of a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxy moiety connected to a benzyl group) that was developed to perform free-radical-initiated peptide sequencing. Comparative collisional activation experiments (collision-induced dissociation and higher-energy collision-induced dissociation) with both cross-linkers were conducted in negative electrospray ionization mode with an Orbitrap Fusion mass spectrometer using five model peptides. As hypothesized in a previous study, the presence of a cross-linked N-terminal aspartic acid residue seems to be the prerequisite for the loss of an intact peptide from the cross-linked products. As the BrPU linker combines a characteristic mass shift with an isotope signature, it presents a more favorable combination for automated assignment of cross-linked products compared with the TEMPO-Bz linker. ᅟ.

Polymer Topology Revealed by Ion Mobility Coupled with Mass Spectrometry

Hyperbranched and star shaped polymers have raised tremendous interest because of their unusual structural and photochemical properties, which provide them potent applications in various domains, namely in the biomedical field. In this context, the development of adequate tools aiming to probe particular three-dimensional features of such polymers is of crucial importance. In this present work, ion mobility coupled with mass spectrometry was used to experimentally derive structural information related to cationized linear and star shaped poly-ε-caprolactones as a function of their charge state and chain length. Two major conformations were observed and identified using theoretical modeling: (1) near spherical conformations whose sizes are invariant with the polymer topology for long and lightly charged chains and (2) elongated conformations whose sizes vary with the polymer topology for short and highly charged chains. These conformations were further confirmed by collisional activation experiments based on the ejection thresholds of the coordinated cations that vary according to the elongation amplitude of the polymer chains. Finally, a comparison between solution and gas-phase conformations highlights a compaction of the structure with a loss of specific chain arrangements during the ionization and desolvation steps of the electrospray process, fueling the long-time debated question related to the preservation of the analyte structure during the transfer into the mass spectrometer.

Gas-phase chemistry of alkylcarbonate anions and radicals

Alkylcarbonate anions and radicals ROCOO −/ (R = H, CH 3, C 2H 5, i-C 3H 7, and t-C 4H 9) are investigated in the gas phase by means of mass spectrometry and ab initio calculations. Structural parameters and energies are obtained at the MP2/6-311++G(3df,3pd)//MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Standard enthalpies of formation for the anions and radicals are determined via atomization energies and isodesmic reactions using the CBS-Q method. Further, alkylcarbonate anions are probed by metastable ion and collisional activation experiments, and the chemistry of the neutral radicals is investigated by charge-reversal and neutralization-reionization mass spectrometry. Although decarboxylation dominates the unimolecular reactivity of the species for both charge states, some other interesting features are observed, particularly for the anions, such as the formation of the CO 3 − radical anion or the presence of ionic fragments formed via hydrogen atom transfer.

A Specific Gas-Phase Substitution Reaction between Enol Radical Cations and t-Butyl Nitrite

Ion–molecule reactions between ionized carbonyl compounds or ionized enols with t-butyl nitrite allow a clear-cut distinction to be made between both these isomeric structures. The most relevant difference between the observed reactions is the formal substitution of a hydrogen atom by nitric oxide in the enol ions. Collisional activation experiments on the product ions are interpreted in terms of α-nitroso carbonyl structures. However, a quantum chemical investigation at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory shows that ionized α-nitroso carbonyl and vinyl nitrite structures may isomerize provided they contain ca 60 kJ mol−1 of internal energy. It is, therefore, possible that both structures are generated in the substitution reaction.

Probing the molecular weight distributions of non-boiling petroleum fractions by Ag+ electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

This work explores the possibility of Ag+ electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to determine the molecular weight distributions of non-boiling petroleum fractions. Information about the molecular weight distributions is needed for fundamental studies on the nature of heavy crude oils and bitumens and for the development of novel recovery and processing methods. The method does not depend on thermal processes for the introduction of the fractions into the gas phase of the mass spectrometer, which is a considerable advantage over most other ionization methods. The Ag+ electrospray mass spectra of the fractions analyzed by using a toluene/methanol/cyclohexane (60:28:12%) solvent system display bimodal distributions in the ranges m/z approximately 300 to approximately 3000 and m/z 3000 to approximately 20,000. The abundances of the high molecular weight peak distributions can be reduced by in-source collisional activation experiments. Comparisons with the results obtained for model heteroatom-containing compounds (molecular weight < 600 Da) and high molecular weight polystyrene standards (up to one million Da) indicate that the majority of the structures in the saturate, naphthenoaromatic and polar aromatic fractions, and a significant portion of the asphaltenes, are small molecules. However, a considerable portion of the asphaltenes and some portion of the other fractions contain high molecular weight structures bound by covalent or strong non-covalent bonds. The results obtained by the Ag+ ESI method in this study for the saturate, aromatic, and polar fractions in a bitumen are in qualitative agreement with published molecular weight average results obtained for Cold Lake bitumen fractions analyzed by conventional gel permeation chromatography and field desorption mass spectrometry. Further work is needed to study the nature of the bonds and the interactions of the molecules in the asphaltene fractions by Ag+ ESI-MS.

Gas phase oxidation of alkoxo ligands in bis(peroxo)[MO(O2)2(OR)]? and trisoxo [MO3(OR)]? anions (M = Cr, Mo, W)

The anions [M(VI)O(O(2))(2)(OR)](-) and [M(VI)O(3)(OR)](-)(M = Cr, Mo, W; R = H, Me, Et, (n)Pr, (i)Pr) were transferred to the gas phase by the electrospray process. Their decomposition was examined by multistage mass spectrometry and collisional activation experiments. The molybdate and tungstate anions [M(VI)O(O(2))(2)(OR)](-) underwent parallel elimination of aldehyde (ketone) and dioxygen while the equivalent chromate underwent loss of dioxygen only. The peroxo ligands were the source of oxidising equivalents in both reactions. For each alkoxo ligand, the total yield of aldehyde for the tungstate system exceeded that for the molybdate system. Collisional activation of [M(VI)O(3)(OMe)](-) led to clean elimination of formaldehyde with the metal centre supplying the oxidising equivalents. For larger alkoxo ligands, only the chromate centre eliminated aldehyde, while the molybdate and tungstate centres underwent clean loss of alkene. Threshold activation voltages indicated that the peroxo ligands of [W(VI)O(O(2))(2)(OMe)](-) are more oxidising than the tungstate centre of [W(VI)O(3)(OMe)](-). (2)H and (18)O isotope tracing experiments were consistent with a formal hydride transfer mechanism operating for oxidation of alkoxo ligand in each system. In the solid state, anions [M(VI)O(O(2))(2)(OR)](-) are typically pentagonal pyramidal (oxo in apical site) while [M(VI)O(3)(OR)](-) are tetrahedral. The data indicate that an equatorial ligand position is the site of alkoxo oxidation in [M(VI)O(O(2))(2)(OR)](-) anions. Comparisons of the gas phase data with those for a solution phase system are made.

Selective cation removal from gaseous polypeptide ions: proton vs. sodium ion abstraction via ion/ion reactions

Doubly charged positive ions of the polypeptide bradykinin with an excess proton and sodium ion have been subjected to reactions with a perfluorocarbon anion, C8F15−, and with hexafluorophosphate, PF6−. The perfluorocarbon anion reacted exclusively by proton transfer to yield sodium cationized bradykinin with no evidence of adduct formation. Reaction with PF6−, yielded proton transfer, sodium ion transfer, and adduct products. Collisional activation studies of the adduct species showed both loss of NaPF6 and loss of HPF6. The relative proportions of these reaction channels were dependent upon ion activation conditions. Collisional activation experiments in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer showed evidence for at least two adduct ion structures that yield different relative contributions from NaPF6 and HPF6 loss. Loss of NaPF6 from the complex was favored under conditions that gave rise to relatively high dissociation rates. Calculations of the cation affinities and stabilities of various species relevant to these experiments suggest that proton transfer is much more thermodynamically favorable for the perfluorocarbon anion. The calculated ion affinities are also consistent with sodium ion transfer being competitive with proton transfer during reactions with PF6−. Calculation of the stabilities of model ion/ion reaction intermediate structures show that the intermediate containing the perfluorocarbon anion is much less strongly bound than that containing the PF6− ion. This difference likely underlies the observation that no adduct formation is observed with the perfluorocarbon ion whereas relatively extensive adduct formation is noted for PF6−.

Structural study of spirolide marine toxins by mass spectrometry. Part II. Mass spectrometric characterization of unknown spirolides and related compounds in a cultured phytoplankton extract.

The spirolides are a family of marine biotoxins derived from the dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii, recently isolated from contaminated shellfish and characterized. A crude phytoplankton extract has been extensively studied for mass spectrometric determination and characterization of several known spirolides and previously unreported compounds. The complex sample was initially analyzed by full-scan mass spectrometry in an ion-trap instrument, enabling identification of several components. Subsequent analysis by selected-ion monitoring in a triple-quadrupole instrument resulted in the confirmation of the identities of the compounds detected in the ion trap. Purification of the crude extract was performed using an automated mass-based fractionation system, yielding several fractions with different relative contributions of the spirolide components. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) in the triple-quadrupole instrument produced significant fragment ions for all identified species. Selective enrichment of some minor compounds in certain fractions enabled excellent CID spectra to be generated; this had previously been impossible, because of interferences from the major toxins present. Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry was then performed for accurate determination of the masses of MH+ ions of all the species present in the sample. Additionally, infrared multiphoton dissociation in the FTICR instrument generated elemental formulae for product ions, including those formed in the previous collisional activation experiments. Collection of these results and the fragmentation scheme proposed for the main component of the extract, 13-desmethyl spirolide C, from part I of this study, enabled elucidation of the structures of some uncharacterized spirolides and some biogenetically related compounds present at previously unreported masses.

Ion–molecule reactions between ionized nitrile oxides and neutral nitrile

The ion–molecule reactions of ionized nitrile oxide, RCN +O , with several neutral nitriles have been studied using both tandem mass spectrometric techniques and ab initio molecular orbital calculations. Ionized oxygen atom transfer as well as a formal substitution of nitric oxide by the neutral reagent in the radical cation were the main processes. Whereas the former reaction yields the corresponding ionized nitrile oxide, the second process gives an even electron species tentatively ascribed, following high-kinetic energy collisional activation experiments, to an aromatic azirinyl cation. All the experimental data point to a two-step reaction sequence where the primarily formed intermediate ions competitively dissociate by the loss of nitrile or of nitric oxide respectively giving nitrile oxide ions and azirinyl ions. From a theoretical point of view, the mechanism of the simplest reaction HCNO ++HCN→ cyclo-HCCHN ++NO has been explored at the MP2/6-31G(d) level of theory. The most favorable reaction profile involves the formation of a CN bond between the positively charged carbon atom of HCNO + and the nitrogen atom of cyanhydric acid giving an HCNO +/HCN intermediate which isomerizes into an ionized nitrosoazirine before losing NO .

Cascade chemistry in azacryptand cages: bridging carbonates and methylcarbonatesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: magnetic data. See http://www.rsc.org/suppdata/dt/b1/b110449g/

Download options Please wait... Supplementary files Crystal structure data TXT (282K) Magnetic data for 1 DOC (75K) Magnetic data for 2 DOC (76K) Magnetic data for 3 DOC (80K) Magnetic data for 4 DOC (78K) Magnetic data for 5 DOC (77K) Magnetic data for 6 DOC (76K) Magnetic data for 7 DOC (76K) Magnetic data for 8 DOC (72K) Article information DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/B110449G Article type Paper Submitted 14 Nov 2001 Accepted 19 Feb 2002 First published 20 Mar 2002 Download Citation J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 2002, 1704-1713 BibTex EndNote MEDLINE ProCite ReferenceManager RefWorks RIS Permissions Request permissions Cascade chemistry in azacryptand cages: bridging carbonates and methylcarbonates Y. Dussart, C. Harding, P. Dalgaard, C. McKenzie, R. Kadirvelraj, V. McKee and J. Nelson, J. Chem. Soc., Dalton Trans., 2002, 1704 DOI: 10.1039/B110449G To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page. If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page. Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content. Search articles by author Yann Dussart Charlie Harding Pia Dalgaard Christine McKenzie Renuka Kadirvelraj Vickie McKee Jane Nelson

Study on formation and stability of azacage metal complexes using electrospray mass spectrometry

In this study electrospray mass spectrometry was used to investigate spherical azacages as host molecules for metal ions systems. Two different pyridino cryptands, [bis-tren(tris-pyridine)amine L1 and bis-tren(tris-pyridine)phenylamide L2] were examined with regard to their affinity for coordinating metal ions such as Ag+, Hg2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, and Co2+. The complex formation was performed in a water/methylene chloride system as well as in pure water, and subsequent electrospray mass spectrometry described the behavior and partition of the complex species. Generally, L1 shows higher ability in the coordination of metal ions and the strongest binding for Ag+. L2 gives significant interactions only with Ag+ and Co2+. Collision activation experiments were used to study the stability of complex species and to distinguish between species formed in solution and during electrospray.

Automated Tandem Mass Spectrometry by Orthogonal Acceleration TOF Data Acquisition and Simultaneous Magnet Scanning for the Characterization of Petroleum Mixtures

The automated acquisition of the product ion spectra of all precursor ions in a selected mass range by using a magnetic sector/orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight (oa-TOF) tandem mass spectrometer for the characterization of complex petroleum mixtures is reported. Product ion spectra are obtained by rapid oa-TOF data acquisition and simultaneous scanning of the magnet. An analog signal generator is used for the scanning of the magnet. Slow magnet scanning rates permit the accurate profiling of precursor ion peaks and the acquisition of product ion spectra for all isobaric ion species. The ability of the instrument to perform both high- and low-energy collisional activation experiments provides access to a large number of dissociation pathways useful for the characterization of precursor ions. Examples are given that illustrate the capability of the method for the characterization of representative petroleum mixtures. The structural information obtained by the automated MS/MS experiment is used in combination with high-resolution accurate mass measurement results to characterize unknown components in a polar extract of a refinery product. The exhaustive mapping of all precursor ions in representative naphtha and middle-distillate fractions is presented. Sets of isobaric ion species are separated and their structures are identified by interpretation from first principles or by comparison with standard 70-eV EI libraries of spectra. The utility of the method increases with the complexity of the samples.

Ion chemistry of anti-o,o dibenzene.

The ion chemistry of anti-o,o'-dibenzene (1) was examined in the gaseous and the condensed phase. From a series of comparative ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) mass spectrometry experiments which involved the interaction of Cu+ with 1, benzene, or mixtures of both, it was demonstrated that 1 can be brought into the gas phase as an intact molecule under the experimental conditions employed. The molecular ions, formally 1*+ and 1*- , were investigated with a four-sector mass spectrometer in metastable-ion decay, collisional activation, charge reversal, and neutralization-reionization experiments. Surprisingly, the expected retrocyclization to yield two benzene molecules was not dominant for the long-lived molecular ions; however, other fragmentations, such as methyl and hydrogen losses, prevailed. In contrast, matrix ionization of 1 in freon (77 K) by gamma-radiation or in argon (12 K) by X-irradiation leads to quantitative retrocyclization to the cationic dimer of benzene, 2*+. Theoretical modeling of the potential-energy surface for the retrocyclization shows that only a small, if any, activation barrier is to be expected for this process. In another series of experiments, metal complexes of 1 were investigated. 1/Cr+ was formed in the ion source and examined by metastable ion decay and collisional activation experiments, which revealed predominant losses of neutral benzene. Nevertheless, comparison with the bis-ligated [(C6H6)2Cr]+ complex provided evidence for the existence of an intact 1/Cr+ under these experimental conditions. No evidence for the existence of 1/Fe+ was obtained, which suggests that iron mediates the rapid retrocyclization of 1/Fe+ into the bis-ligated benzene complex [(C6H6)2Fe]+.

A Mass Spectrometry Study of XCO+, X=Si, Ge: Is SiCO+ a Main Group Carbonyl? Comments on the Bonding in Ground State SiCO and the [Si,C,O]+ Potential Energy Surface

The cation\[Si,C,O](+) has been generated by 1) the electron ionisation (EI) of tetramethoxysilane and 2) chemical ionisation (CI) of a mixture of silane and carbon monoxide. Collisional activation (CA) experiments performed for mass-selected \[Si,C,O](+), generated by using both methods, indicate that the structure is not inserted OSiC+; however, a definitive structural assignment as Si+-CO, Si+-OC or some cyclic variant is impossible based on these results alone. Neutralisation-reionisation (+NR+) experiments for EI-generated \[Si,C,O](+) reveal a small peak corresponding to SiC+, but no detectable SiO+ signal, and thus establishes the existence of the Si+-CO isomer. CCSD(T)//B3LYP calculations employing a triple-zeta basis set have been used to explore the doublet and quartet potential-energy surfaces of the cation, as well as some important neutral states The results suggest that both Si+-CO and Si+ - OC isomers are feasible; however, the global minimum is (2)Pi SiCO+. Isomeric (2)Pi SiOC+ is 12.1 kcal mol(-1) less stable than (2)Pi SiCO+, and all quartet isomers are much higher in energy. The corresponding neutrals Si-CO and Si-OC are also feasible, but the lowest energy Si - OC isomer ((3)A) is bound by only 1.5 kcal mol(-1). We attribute most, if nor all, of the recovery signal in the +NR' experiment to SiCO+ survivor ions. The nature of the bonding in the lowest energy isomers of Si+ -(CO,OC) is interpreted with the aid of natural bond order analyses, and the ground stale bonding of SiCO+ is discussed in relation to classical analogues such as metal carbonyls and ketenes.

A mass spectrometry study of XCO+, X=Si, Ge: is SiCO+ a main group carbonyl? Comments on the bonding in ground state SiCO and the

The cation [Si,C,O]+ has been generated by 1) the electron ionisation (EI) of tetramethoxysilane and 2) chemical ionisation (CI) of a mixture of silane and carbon monoxide. Collisional activation (CA) experiments performed for mass-selected [Si,C,O]+, generated by using both methods, indicate that the structure is not inserted OSiC+; however, a definitive structural assignment as Si(+)-CO, Si(+)-OC or some cyclic variant is impossible based on these results alone. Neutralisation-reionisation (+NR+) experiments for EI-generated [Si,C,O]+ reveal a small peak corresponding to SiC+, but no detectable SiO+ signal, and thus establishes the existence of the Si(+)-CO isomer. CCSD(T)@B3LYP calculations employing a triple-zeta basis set have been used to explore the doublet and quartet potential-energy surfaces of the cation, as well as some important neutral states. The results suggest that both Si(+)-CO and Si(+)-OC isomers are feasible; however, the global minimum is 2 pi SiCO+. Isomeric 2 pi SiOC+ is 12.1 kcal mol-1 less stable than 2 pi SiCO+, and all quartet isomers are much higher in energy. The corresponding neutrals Si-CO and Si-OC are also feasible, but the lowest energy Si-OC isomer (3A") is bound by only 1.5 kcal mol-1. We attribute most, if not all, of the recovery signal in the +NR+ experiment to SiCO+ survivor ions. The nature of the bonding in the lowest energy isomers of Si(+)-(CO,OC) is interpreted with the aid of natural bond order analyses, and the ground state bonding of SiCO+ is discussed in relation to classical analogues such as metal carbonyls and ketenes.