Fragmentation of alkylmercury halides under electron impact and the structure of the C2H4HgX+ ion (X = Cl, Br, I) in the gas phase

Mass spectrometry of organomercurials

“…This approach is not always valid in relation to gas-phase ions, which can possess excess energy. Furthermore, a subsequent calculation by the MNDO method for the ions 5 and 6 demonstrated a reverse ratio of their stabilities (10,112). Therefore, in determining the structures of ions in the gas phase, quantum-chemical calculations must be used only in combination with adequate experimental data, including the characteristics of the formation of the test ions and their further reactivities.…”

“…Among these studies, the search for condensed phase reaction intermediates was of special value. For example, mercurinium ions were the subject of investigations by Bach et al (6)(7)(8) and by the authors of this review (5,9,10). These aspects of the mass spectrometry of organomercury compounds will be discussed in the present work.…”

“…Various mass spectrometric methods were employed to generate these ions and to investigate their properties in the gas phase (6,7,9,10). These studies were started by Bach and coworkers, using ion-cyclotron resonance (6).…”

“…Ion-molecule reactions between MeHg+ and alkenes were investigated and the relative rate constants for the formation of MeHg(alkene)+ ions were measured (9). The increase in this constant with the increase of the number of methyl groups at the double C=C bond (the highest value was obtained for Me,C=CMe,) was assigned by the authors to the preferential .rr-bonding between Hg and the alkene molecule; i.e., to the mercurinium structure of adduct 9)-ions…”

Free radical reactions of organomercurials

“…The mass spectrometric behavior of a variety of diaryl-and dialkylmercurials, aromatic and aliphatic mercury chlorides has been studied by Bryant and Kinstle [79]. Recently, electron impact mass spectrometry was used to investigate the frag mentation of alkylmercury halides [80].…”