Propyl ion structures

Proton transfer from H3 + and CH5+ to cyclopropane yields a C3H7 + ion, which at atmospheric pressures is largely stabilized by collision (9). This ion reacts as a sec-propyl ion with an added interceptor molecule (9). Hence, the protonated cyclopropane ion undergoes ring opening to acquire the sec-propyl ion structure. Similarly, it has been shown that protonated cyclobutane rearranges to the sec-C4H9 + structure. 

Now, as discussed above, the formation of cyclopropane in reaction (24a) suggests that the 3117 entity which reacted had a cyclic structure. On the other hand, the structure of the hydride-transfer product (CH3CH2CH2D, in this case) suggests a precursor having the n-propyl ion structure. More information is given by the results obtained in... 

---