Infrared Multiple Photon Dissociation Research Articles

Characterization of Uranyl Coordinated by Equatorial Oxygen: Oxo in UO3 versus Oxyl in UO3.

Uranium trioxide, UO3, has a T-shaped structure with bent uranyl, UO22+, coordinated by an equatorial oxo, O2-. The structure of cation UO3+ is similar but with an equatorial oxyl, O•-. Neutral and cationic uranium trioxide coordinated by nitrates were characterized by collision induced dissociation (CID), infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy, and density functional theory. CID of uranyl nitrate, [UO2(NO3)3]- (complex A1), eliminates NO2 to produce nitrate-coordinated UO3+, [UO2(O•)(NO3)2]- (B1), which ejects NO3 to yield UO3 in [UO2(O)(NO3)]- (C1). Finally, C1 associates with H2O to afford uranyl hydroxide in [UO2(OH)2(NO3)]- (D1). IRMPD of B1, C1, and D1 confirms uranyl equatorially coordinated by nitrate(s) along with the following ligands: (B1) radical oxyl O•-; (C1) oxo O2-; and (D1) two hydroxyls, OH-. As the nitrates are bidentate, the equatorial coordination is six in A1, five in B1, four in D1, and three in C1. Ligand congestion in low-coordinate C1 suggests orbital-directed bonding. Hydrolysis of the equatorial oxo in C1 epitomizes the inverse trans influence in UO3, which is uranyl with inert axial oxos and a reactive equatorial oxo. The uranyl ν3 IR frequencies indicate the following donor ordering: O2-[best donor] ≫ O•-> OH-> NO3-.

Asymmetric Solvation of the Zinc Dimer Cation Revealed by Infrared Multiple Photon Dissociation Spectroscopy of Zn2+(H2O)n (n = 1-20).

Investigating metal-ion solvation—in particular, the fundamental binding interactions—enhances the understanding of many processes, including hydrogen production via catalysis at metal centers and metal corrosion. Infrared spectra of the hydrated zinc dimer (Zn2+(H2O)n; n = 1–20) were measured in the O–H stretching region, using infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy. These spectra were then compared with those calculated by using density functional theory. For all cluster sizes, calculated structures adopting asymmetric solvation to one Zn atom in the dimer were found to lie lower in energy than structures adopting symmetric solvation to both Zn atoms. Combining experiment and theory, the spectra show that water molecules preferentially bind to one Zn atom, adopting water binding motifs similar to the Zn+(H2O)n complexes studied previously. A lower coordination number of 2 was observed for Zn2+(H2O)3, evident from the highly red-shifted band in the hydrogen bonding region. Photodissociation leading to loss of a neutral Zn atom was observed only for n = 3, attributed to a particularly low calculated Zn binding energy for this cluster size.

Structure and collision-induced dissociation of the protonated cyclo His-Phe dipeptide: mechanistic studies and stereochemical effects

The role of stereochemical factors on the structure and the fragmentation paths of the protonated cyclic dipeptide cyclo histidine–phenylalanine is studied under ion traps conditions by combining tandem mass spectrometry, laser spectroscopy, quantum chemical calculations and chemical dynamics simulations. Vibrational spectroscopy obtained by Infrared Multiple Photon Dissociation (IRMPD) reveals a small difference between the two diastereomers, c- $$\hbox {LLH}^{+}$$ and c- $$\hbox {LDH}^{+}$$ , arising mainly from ancillary CH... $$\uppi $$ interactions. In contrast, there is a strong influence of the residues chirality on the collision-induced dissociation (CID) processes. Chemical dynamics simulations rationalize this effect and evidence that proton mobility takes place, allowing isomerization to intermediate cyclic structures that are different for c- $$\hbox {LLH}^{+}$$ and c- $$\hbox {LDH}^{+}$$ , resulting in different barriers to proton mobility. This effect is related to the protonation of the imidazole ring. It contrasts with the minute stereochemical effects observed for other cyclic dipeptides in which the proton is borne by an amide CO.

Cluster Size Dependent Interaction of Free Manganese Oxide Clusters with Acetic Acid and Methyl Acetate

We have employed infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IR-MPD) spectroscopy together with density functional theory (DFT) calculations to study the interaction of series of subnanometer sized manganese oxide clusters, MnxOy+ (x = 1-6, y = 0-9) with acetic acid (HOAc) and methyl acetate (MeOAc). Reaction with HOAc leads to strongly cluster size and composition dependent IR-MPD spectra, indicating molecular adsorption on MnOx+ clusters and thermodynamically favorable but kinetically hampered HOAc dissociation (deprotonation) on Mn2O4+ and Mn3O5+. Other cluster sizes exhibit the preferred formation of a dissociative bidentate chelating structure. In contrast to HOAc, all clusters bind MeOAc via the carbonyl group as an intact molecule, and dissociation appears to be kinetically hindered under the given experimental conditions.

Synthesis of an Exhaustive Library of Naturally Occurring Galf-Manp and Galp-Manp Disaccharides. Toward Fingerprinting According to Ring Size by Advanced Mass Spectrometry-Based IM-MS and IRMPD

Nature offers a huge diversity of glycosidic derivatives. Among numerous structural modulations, the nature of the ring size of hexosides may induce significant differences on both biological and physicochemical properties of the glycoconjugate of interest. On this assumption, we expect that small disaccharides bearing either a furanosyl entity or a pyranosyl residue would give a specific signature, even in the gas phase. On the basis of the scope of mass spectrometry, two analytical techniques to register those signatures were considered, i.e., the ion mobility (IM) and the infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD), in order to build up cross-linked databases. d-Galactose occurs in natural products in both tautomeric forms and presents all possible regioisomers when linked to d-mannose. Consequently, the four reducing Galf-Manp disaccharides as well as the four Galp-Manp counterparts were first synthesized according to a highly convergent approach, and IM-MS and IRMPD-MS data were second collected. Both techniques used afforded signatures, specific to the nature of the connectivity between the two glycosyl entities.

Mid-infrared spectroscopic signatures of dibenzopyrene cations – The effect of symmetry on PAH IR spectroscopy

In this work, we characterize – for the first time – in the gas phase infrared spectra of three isomeric Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) cations of C24H14 composition that belong to distinctly different symmetry groups (C2h, Cs and C1). Mid-infrared (Mid-IR) spectra are recorded by means of infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy at the free electron laser for infrared experiments (FELIX) laboratory. The measured infrared (IR) band positions compare reasonably well with density functional theory (DFT) calculated values. The number of IR active bands increases as the symmetry of the molecule lowers. The IRMPD spectra of irregular PAHs are found to be dense and do not resemble the sharp signatures typical of astronomical IR bands, but rather look like the broad plateau on which these are perched. This lends credit to the GrandPAH hypothesis that suggests that small and irregular PAHs are weeded out by the strong interstellar radiation field and only large regular PAHs remain.

Structural characterization of [M,C,2H]+ products formed by reaction of 5d metal cations Pt+ and Ir+ with ethylene oxide and Ta+ with methane using messenger spectroscopy

Structural characterization of gas-phase [M,C,2H]+ (M = Ta, Ir, Pt), formed by reacting laser ablation formed M+ with ethylene oxide (c-C2H4O) or methane under multiple collision conditions, is achieved using infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IR-MPD) spectroscopy with the intracavity free-electron laser FELICE. After product formation, part of the product distribution is complexed with Ar, allowing for simultaneous recording of IR-MPD spectra of both bare [M,C,2H]+, which dissociates via dehydrogenation, and [M,C,2H]+∙Ar, which loses Ar. Comparison of the spectra with density functional theory (DFT) calculations allows for an internally consistent assignment of the spectra to the Ta+CH2 (3A′′) distorted carbene, Pt+CH2 (2A1) carbene, and to the HIr+CH (1A′) carbyne-hydride. Evidence for a symmetric Ta+CH2∙Ar (3B2) complex is also obtained. For Pt and Ir, these structures match those found in previous work when these species were formed by reaction of M+ with methane, CH4 and CD4. Under the current conditions, no clear signs of the previously observed Ir+CH2 (3A2) carbene product were found, consistent with its higher energy, especially after Ar complexation. Potential energy surfaces for the reactions of Pt+ and Ir+ with c-C2H4O are also computed.

IR Spectroscopic Characterization of H2 Adsorption on Cationic Cun+ (n = 4-7) Clusters.

IR spectra of cationic copper clusters Cun+ (n = 4–7) complexed with hydrogen molecules are recorded via IR multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy. To this end, the copper clusters are generated via laser ablation and reacted with H2 and D2 in a flow-tube-type reaction channel. The complexes formed are irradiated using IR light provided by the free-electron laser for intracavity experiments (FELICE). The spectra are interpreted by making use of isotope-induced shifts of the vibrational bands and by comparing them to density functional theory calculated spectra for candidate structures. The structural candidates have been obtained from global sampling with the minima hopping method, and spectra are calculated at the semilocal (PBE) and hybrid (PBE0) functional level. The highest-quality spectra have been recorded for [5Cu, 2H/2D]+, and we find that the semilocal functional provides better agreement for the lowest-energy isomers. The interaction of hydrogen with the copper clusters strongly depends on their size. Binding energies are largest for Cu5+, which goes hand in hand with the observed predominantly dissociative adsorption. Due to smaller binding energies for dissociated H2 and D2 for Cu4+, also a significant amount of molecular adsorption is observed as to be expected according to the Evans–Polanyi principle. This is confirmed by transition-state calculations for Cu4+ and Cu5+, which show that hydrogen dissociation is not hindered by an endothermic reaction barrier for Cu5+ and by a slightly endothermic barrier for Cu4+. For Cu6+ and Cu7+, it was difficult to draw clear conclusions because the IR spectra could not be unambiguously assigned to structures.

Stereospecific collision-induced dissociation and vibrational spectroscopy of protonated cyclo (Tyr-Pro)

The protonated cyclo (LTyr-LPro) and cyclo (LTyr-DPro) dipeptides based on a diketopiperazine (DKP) ring are studied by tandem mass spectrometry in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) and infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy results are interpreted with the aid of quantum chemical calculations and chemical dynamics simulations. All the conformers identified for each diastereomer, denoted c-LLH+ and c-LDH+, respectively, are protonated on the carbonyl group of the tyrosine. The most stable form has an extended structure with the aromatic ring oriented outside the DKP ring; it is stabilized by an OH+…π interaction. Distinct IR signatures are obtained for the extended conformers of c-LLH+ and c-LDH+, which differ by the strength of the OH+…π interaction, much stronger in c-LLH+. Less stable species with the aromatic ring folded over the DKP ring are kinetically trapped in our experimental conditions, but their IR spectrum is identical for c-LLH+ and c-LDH+. The main collision-induced dissociation products of the protonated dipeptides are analyzed using chemical dynamics simulations. More efficient CID is observed for c-LDH+, in particular for the formation of the iminium ion of tyrosine. In contrast to the monomers, the protonated dimers of c-LLH+ and c-LDH+ show identical IR spectra. This is explained in terms of a structure involving a single strong OH+…O interaction between subunits not sensitive to the absolute configuration of the residues, i.e., from a folded protonated monomer to an extended neutral monomer.

Mo3 S13 ]2- as a Model System for Hydrogen Evolution Catalysis by MoSx : Probing Protonation Sites in the Gas Phase by Infrared Multiple Photon Dissociation Spectroscopy.

Materials based on molybdenum sulfide are known as efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts. As the binding site for H atoms on molybdenum sulfides for the catalytic process is under debate, [HMo3S13]− is an interesting molecular model system to address this question. Herein, we probe the [HMo3S13]− cluster in the gas phase by coupling Fourier‐transform ion‐cyclotron‐resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR MS) with infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy. Our investigations show one distinct S−H stretching vibration at 2450 cm−1. Thermochemical arguments based on DFT calculations strongly suggest a terminal disulfide unit as the H adsorption site.

Molecular Properties of Bare and Microhydrated Vitamin B5-Calcium Complexes.

Pantothenic acid, also called vitamin B5, is an essential nutrient involved in several metabolic pathways. It shows a characteristic preference for interacting with Ca(II) ions, which are abundant in the extracellular media and act as secondary mediators in the activation of numerous biological functions. The bare deprotonated form of pantothenic acid, [panto-H]−, its complex with Ca(II) ion, [Ca(panto-H)]+, and singly charged micro-hydrated calcium pantothenate [Ca(panto-H)(H2O)]+ adduct have been obtained in the gas phase by electrospray ionization and assayed by mass spectrometry and IR multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy in the fingerprint spectral range. Quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP(-D3) and MP2 levels of theory were performed to simulate geometries, thermochemical data, and linear absorption spectra of low-lying isomers, allowing us to assign the experimental absorptions to particular structural motifs. Pantothenate was found to exist in the gas phase as a single isomeric form showing deprotonation on the carboxylic moiety. On the contrary, free and monohydrated calcium complexes of deprotonated pantothenic acid both present at least two isomers participating in the gas-phase population, sharing the deprotonation of pantothenate on the carboxylic group and either a fourfold or fivefold coordination with calcium, thus justifying the strong affinity of pantothenate for the metal.

IR photofragmentation of the phenyl cation: spectroscopy and fragmentation pathways.

We present the gas-phase infrared spectra of the phenyl cation, phenylium, in its perprotio (C6H5+) and perdeutero (C6D5+) forms, in the 260-1925 cm-1 (5.2-38 μm) spectral range, and investigate the observed photofragmentation. The spectral and fragmentation data were obtained using Infrared Multiple Photon Dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy within a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer (FTICR MS) located inside the cavity of the free electron laser FELICE (Free Electron Laser for Intra-Cavity Experiments). The 1A1 singlet nature of the phenylium ion is ascertained by comparison of the observed IR spectrum with DFT calculations, using both harmonic and anharmonic frequency calculations. To investigate the observed loss of predominantly [2C,nH] (n = 2-4) fragments, we explored the potential energy surface (PES) to unravel possible isomerization and fragmentation reaction pathways. The lowest energy pathways toward fragmentation include direct H elimination, and a combination of facile ring-opening mechanisms (≤2.4 eV), followed by elimination of H or CCH2. Energetically, all H-loss channels found are more easily accessible than CCH2-loss. Calculations of the vibrational density of states for the various intermediates show that at high internal energies, ring opening is thermodynamically the most advantageous, eliminating direct H-loss as a competing process. The observed loss of primarily [2C,2H] can be explained through entropy calculations that show favored loss of [2C,2H] at higher internal energies.

Infrared multiple photon dissociation action spectroscopy of protonated unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine and proton-bound dimers of hydrazine and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine.

The gas-phase structures of protonated unsymmetrical 1,1-dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) and the proton-bound dimers of UDMH and hydrazine are examined by infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) action spectroscopy utilizing light generated by a free electron laser and an optical parametric oscillator laser system. To identify the structures present in the experimental studies, the measured IRMPD spectra are compared to spectra calculated at the B3LYP-GD3BJ/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory. These comparisons show that protonated UDMH binds the proton at the methylated nitrogen atom (α) with two low-lying α conformers probably being populated. For (UDMH)2H+, the proton is shared between the methylated nitrogen atoms with several low-lying α conformers likely to be populated. Higher-lying conformers of (UDMH)2H+ in which the proton is shared between α and β (unmethylated) nitrogen atoms cannot be ruled out on the basis of the IRPMD spectrum. For (N2H4)2H+, there are four low-lying conformers that all reproduce the IRMPD spectrum reasonably well. As hydrazine and UDMH see usage as fuels for rocket engines, such spectra are potentially useful as a means of remotely monitoring rocket launches, especially in cases of unsuccessful launches where environmental hazards need to be assessed.

Preferred protonation site of a series of sulfa drugs in the gas phase revealed by IR spectroscopy

Sulfa drugs are an important class of pharmaceuticals in the treatment of bacterial infections. The amido/imido tautomerism of these molecules in their neutral form has been widely discussed in the literature. Here, we study the protonation preferences of sulfa drugs upon electrospray ionization (ESI) using IR action spectroscopy of the ionized gas-phase molecules in a mass spectrometer. Our set of molecules includes sulfanilamide (SA), the progenitor of the family of sulfa drugs, and the actual, sulfonamide nitrogen substituted, sulfa drugs sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfisoxazole (SIX), sulfamethizole (SMZ), sulfathiazole (STZ), sulfapyridine (SP) and sulfaguanidine (SG). IR multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectra were recorded for the protonated sulfa drugs using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR-MS) and an optical parametric oscillator/amplifier (OPO/OPA) as well as the FELIX free electron laser (FEL) as IR sources. The OPO provides tunable IR radiation in the NH stretch region (3100–3700 cm^{-1}), while the FEL covers the fingerprint region (520–1750 cm^{-1}). Comparison of experimental IR spectra with spectra predicted using density functional theory allowed us to determine the gas-phase protonation site. For SA, the sulfonamide NH_2 group was identified as the protonation site, which contrasts the situation in solution, where the anilinic NH_2 group is protonated. For the derivative sulfa drugs, the favored protonation site is the nitrogen atom included in the heterocycle, except for SG, where protonation occurs at the sulfonamide nitrogen atom. The theoretical investigations show that the identified protonation isomers correspond to the lowest-energy gas-phase structures.

Binding Motifs in the Naked Complexes of Target Amino Acids with an Excerpt of Antitumor Active Biomolecule: An Ion Vibrational Spectroscopy Assay.

The structures of proton-bound complexes of 5,7-dimethoxy-4H-chromen-4-one (1) and basic amino acids (AAs), namely, histidine (His) and lysine (Lys), have been examined by means of mass spectrometry coupled with IR ion spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. This selection of systems is based on the fact that 1 represents a portion of glabrescione B, a natural small molecule of promising antitumor activity, while His and Lys are protein residues lining the cavity of the alleged receptor binding site. These species are thus a model of the bioactive adduct, although clearly the isolated state of the present study bears little resemblance to the complex biological environment. A common feature of [1+AA+H]+ complexes is the presence of a protonated AA bound to neutral 1, in spite of the fact that the gas-phase basicity of 1 is comparable to those of Lys and His. The carbonyl group of 1 acts as a powerful hydrogen-bond acceptor. Within [1+AA+H]+ the side-chain substituents (imidazole group for His and terminal amino group for Lys) present comparable basic properties to those of the α-amino group, taking part to a cooperative hydrogen-bond network. Structural assignment, relying on the comparative analysis of the infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectrum and calculated IR spectra for the candidate geometries, derives from an examination over two frequency ranges: 900-1800 and 2900-3700 cm-1 . Information gained from the latter one proved especially valuable, for example, pointing to the contribution of species characterized by an unperturbed carboxylic OH or imidazole NH stretching mode.

IRMPD Spectroscopic and Theoretical Structural Investigations of Zinc and Cadmium Dications Bound to Histidine Dimers

Metallated gas-phase structures consisting of a deprotonated and an intact histidine (His) ligand, yielding M(His-H)(His)+, where M = Zn and Cd, were examined with infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) action spectroscopy utilizing light from a free-electron laser (FEL). In parallel, quantum chemical calculations identified several low-energy isomers for each complex. Experimental action spectra were compared to linear spectra calculated at the B3LYP level of theory using the 6-311+G(d,p) and def2-TZVP basis sets for the zinc and cadmium complexes, respectively. For both Zn and Cd species, the definitive assignment is complicated by conflicting relative energetics, which were calculated at B3LYP, B3LYP-GD3BJ, B3P86, and MP2(full) levels. Spectral comparison for both species indicates that the dominant conformation, [Nα,Nπ,CO-][CO2-](NπH+), has the deprotonated His chelating the metal at the amine nitrogen, π nitrogen of the imidazole ring, and the deprotonated carbonyl oxygen and that the intact His ligand adopts a salt-bridge bidentate binding motif, coordinating the metal with both carboxylate oxygens. There is also evidence for a conformation where the deprotonated His coordination is maintained, but the intact His ligand adopts a more canonical structure, coordinating with the metal atom at the amine nitrogen and π nitrogen, [Nα,Nπ,CO-][Nα,Nπ]gtgg. For both metallated species, B3LYP, B3P86, and B3LYP-GD3BJ levels of theory appear to describe the relative stability of the dominant zwitterionic species more accurately than the MP2(full) level.

Deciphering Dissolved Organic Matter: Ionization, Dopant, and Fragmentation Insights via Fourier Transform-Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry.

Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) has been increasingly employed to characterize dissolved organic matter (DOM) across a range of aquatic environments highlighting the role of DOM in global carbon cycling. DOM analysis commonly utilizes electrospray ionization (ESI), while some have implemented other techniques, including dopant-assisted atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). We compared various extracted DOM compositions analyzed by negative ESI and positive APPI doped with both toluene and tetrahydrofuran (THF), including a fragmentation study of THF-doped riverine DOM using infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD). DOM compositions followed the same trends in ESI and dopant-assisted APPI with the latter presenting saturated, less oxygenated, and more N-containing compounds than ESI. Between the APPI dopants, THF-doping yielded spectra with more aliphatic-like and N-containing compounds than toluene-doping. We further demonstrate how fragmentation of THF-doped DOM in APPI resolved subtle differences between riverine DOM that was absent from ESI. In both ionization methods, we describe a linear relationship between atomic and formulaic N-compositions from a range of DOM extracts. This study highlights that THF-doped APPI is useful for uncovering low-intensity aliphatic and peptide-like components in autochthonous DOM, which could aid environmental assessments of DOM across biolability gradients.

Application of Infrared Multiple Photon Dissociation (IRMPD) Spectroscopy in Chiral Analysis.

In recent years, methods based on photodissociation in the gas phase have become powerful means in the field of chiral analysis. Among them, infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy is a very attractive one, since it can provide valuable spectral and structural information of chiral complexes in addition to chiral discrimination. Experimentally, the method can be fulfilled by the isolation of target diastereomeric ions in an ion trap followed by the irradiation of a tunable IR laser. Chiral analysis is performed by comparing the difference existing in the spectra of enantiomers. Combined with theoretical calculations, their structures can be further understood on the molecular scale. By now, lots of chiral molecules, including amino acids and peptides, have been studied with the method combined with theoretical calculations. This review summarizes the relative experimental results obtained, and discusses the limitation and prospects of the method.

IR multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of MO2 + (M = V, Nb, Ta).

A laser vaporization cluster source is coupled to the Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer beamline of the free-electron laser for intracavity experiments. Gas phase metal ions and their oxides (VO2 +, NbO2 +, and TaO2 +) are formed and spectroscopically characterized using IR multiple-photon dissociation spectroscopy via loss of atomic oxygen and overcoming fragmentation energies of 3 eV-6 eV. The signal is observed for all MO2 + fundamental modes: the symmetric and anti-symmetric ν1 and ν3 stretch modes in the 900 cm-1-1000 cm-1 range and the ν2 bending mode in the 300 cm-1-450 cm-1 range. A remarkable substructure is observed for the bending vibration, which is at least partly due to the rovibrational substructure.

Carbide Dihydrides: Carbonaceous Species Identified in Ta4 + -Mediated Methane Dehydrogenation.

The products of methane dehydrogenation by gas‐phase Ta4 + clusters are structurally characterized using infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy in conjunction with quantum chemical calculations. The obtained spectra of [4Ta,C,2H]+ reveal a dominance of vibrational bands of a H2Ta4C+ carbide dihydride structure over those indicative for a HTa4CH+ carbyne hydride one, as is unambiguously verified by studies employing various methane isotopologues. Because methane dehydrogenation by metal cations M+ typically leads to the formation of either MCH2 + carbene or HMCH+ carbyne hydride structures, the observation of a H2MC+ carbide dihydride structure implies that it is imperative to consider this often‐neglected class of carbonaceous intermediates in the reaction of metals with hydrocarbons.