Process ionization

As an example, we mention the detection of iodine atoms in their P3/2 ground state with a 3 + 2 multiphoton ionization process at a laser wavelength of 474.3 run. Excited iodine atoms ( Pi/2) can also be detected selectively as the resonance condition is reached at a different laser wavelength of 477.7 run. As an example, figure B2.5.17 hows REMPI iodine atom detection after IR laser photolysis of CF I. This pump-probe experiment involves two, delayed, laser pulses, with a 200 ns IR photolysis pulse and a 10 ns probe pulse, which detects iodine atoms at different times during and after the photolysis pulse. This experiment illustrates a frindamental problem of product detection by multiphoton ionization with its high intensity, the short-wavelength probe laser radiation alone can photolyse the... 

Acetic acid and other carboxylic acids are protonated in superacids to form stable carboxonium ions at low temperatures. Cleavage to related acyl cations is observed (by NMR) upon raising the temperature of the solutions. In excess superacids a diprotonation equilibrium, indicated by theoretical calculations, can play a role in the ionization process. 

Although there has been some controversy concerning the processes involved in field ionization mass spectrometry, the general principles appear to be understood. Firstly, the ionization process itself produces little excess of vibrational and rotational energy in the ions, and, consequently, fragmentation is limited or nonexistent. This ionization process is one of the mild or soft methods available for producing excellent molecular mass information. The initially formed ions are either simple radical cations or radical anions (M ). 

The extra sources of electrons that become important are known as secondary ionization processes and are caused by ... 

The ion current resulting from collection of the mass-separated ions provides a measure of the numbers of ions at each m/z value (the ion abundances). Note that for this ionization method, all ions have only a single positive charge, z = 1, so that m/z = m, which means that masses are obtained directly from the measured m/z values. Thus, after the thermal ionization process, m/z values and abundances of ions are measured. The accurate measurement of relative ion abundances provides highly accurate isotope ratios. This aspect is developed more fully below. 

For a more detailed description of the ionization process inherent in electrospray, please see Chapter 9, which discusses atmospheric pressure ionization (API), The reader also should compare electrospray with thermospray (see Chapter 11). 

To examine a sample by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP/MS) or inductively coupled plasma atomic-emission spectroscopy (ICP/AES) the sample must be transported into the flame of a plasma torch. Once in the flame, sample molecules are literally ripped apart to form ions of their constituent elements. These fragmentation and ionization processes are described in Chapters 6 and 14. To introduce samples into the center of the (plasma) flame, they must be transported there as gases, as finely dispersed droplets of a solution, or as fine particulate matter. The various methods of sample introduction are described here in three parts — A, B, and C Chapters 15, 16, and 17 — to cover gases, solutions (liquids), and solids. Some types of sample inlets are multipurpose and can be used with gases and liquids or with liquids and solids, but others have been designed specifically for only one kind of analysis. However, the principles governing the operation of inlet systems fall into a small number of categories. This chapter discusses specifically substances that are normally liquids at ambient temperatures. This sort of inlet is the commonest in analytical work. 

The process of field ionization presupposes that the substance under investigation has been volatilized by heat, so some molecules of vapor settle onto the tips held at high potential. In such circumstances, thermally labile substances still cannot be examined, even though the ionization process itself is mild. To get around this difficulty, a solution of the substance under investigation can be placed on the wire and the solvent allowed to evaporate. When an electric potential is applied, positive or negative ions are produced, but no heating is necessary to volatilize the substance. This technique is called field desorption (FD) ionization. 

This thermal ionization process requires fiiament temperatures of about 1000-2000°C. At these temperatures, many substances, such as most organic compounds, are quickiy broken down, so the ions produced are not representative of the structure of the original sample substance placed on the filament. Ionization energies (1) for most organic substances are substantially greater than the filament work function (( )) therefore 1 - ( ) is positive (endothermic) and few positive ions are produced. 

Ionization cross-section. A measure of the probability that a given ionization process will occur when an atom or molecule interacts with an electron or a photon. 

Ion-pair formation. An ionization process in which a positive fragment ion and a negative fragment ion are the only products. 

The total electron density contributed by all the electrons in any molecule is a property that can be visualized and it is possible to imagine an experiment in which it could be observed. It is when we try to break down this electron density into a contribution from each electron that problems arise. The methods employing hybrid orbitals or equivalent orbitals are useful in certain circumsfances such as in rationalizing properties of a localized part of fhe molecule. Flowever, fhe promotion of an electron from one orbifal fo anofher, in an electronic transition, or the complete removal of it, in an ionization process, both obey symmetry selection mles. For this reason the orbitals used to describe the difference befween eifher fwo electronic states of the molecule or an electronic state of the molecule and an electronic state of the positive ion must be MOs which belong to symmetry species of the point group to which the molecule belongs. Such orbitals are called symmetry orbitals and are the only type we shall consider here. 

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