Alkali molecular cations, electronic

One of the first alkali metal cation chemosensors was based on the molecular architecture of the anthracene derivative (Figure 16.2c) [9]. Substitution of the simple tertiary amino group with an azacrown macrocycle resulted in fluorescence of the chemosensor responding to protons and potassium cations (Figure 16.5a). Further increase in selectivity of the sensor can be achieved via reduction of Brpnsted s basicity of the macrocycle. On the other hand, this modification must retain the electron donor character of the receptor in order to preserve the PET mode of... 

Electronic Structure and Spectra of Light Alkali Diatomic Molecules and Their Molecular Cations... 

Study of the alkalis which alms to treat the heavier alkalis, heteronuclear molecules, more highly excited electronic states, and molecular cations and anions. 

Ionization of the analyte is the first crucial and challenging step in the analysis of any class of compounds by mass spectrometry. The key to a successful mass spectrometric experiment lies to a large extent in the approach to converting a neutral compound to a gas-phase ionic species. A wide variety of ionization techniques have become available over the years, but none has universal appeal. In some techniques, ionization is performed by ejection or capture of an electron by an analyte to produce a radical cation [M+ ] or anion [M ], respectively. In others, a proton is added or subtracted to yield [M - - H]+ or [M — H] ions, respectively. The adduction with alkali metal cations (e.g., Na+ and K+) and anions (e.g., Cl ) is also observed in some methods. The choice of a particular method is dictated largely by the nature of the sample under investigation and the type of information desired. Table 2.1 lists some of the methods currently in vogue. Some methods are applicable to the atomic species, whereas others are suitable for molecular species. Also, some methods require sample molecules to be present in the ion source as gas-phase species, whereas others can accommodate condensed-phase samples. The methods that are applicable to molecular species are the subject of the present chapter those applicable to atomic species are described in Chapter 7. 

The FAB plasma provides conditions that allow to ionize molecules by either loss or addition of an electron to form positive molecular ions, M" , [52,89] or negative molecular ions, M, respectively. Alternatively, protonation or deprotonation may result in [Mh-H]" or [M-H] quasimolecular ions. Their occurrence is determined by the respective basicity or acidity of analyte and matrix. Cationization, preferably with alkali metal ions, is also frequently observed. Often, [Mh-H]" ions are accompanied by [MH-Na]" and [Mh-K]" ions as already noted with FD-MS (Chap. 8.5.7). Furthermore, it is not unusual to observe and [Mh-H]" ions in the same FAB spectmm. [52] In case of simple aromatic amines, for example, the peak intensity ratio M 7[Mh-H] increases as the ionization energy of the substrate decreases, whereas 4-substituted benzophenones show preferential formation of [Mh-H]" ions, regardless of the nature of the substituents. [90] It can be assumed that protonation is initiated when the benzophenone carbonyl groups form hydrogen bonds with the matrix. 

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