Modeling solvation of magnesium centers by ether ligands: Gas-phase synthesis and hydrolysis of the organomagnesium cations [CH3Mg(3 X -crown- X)] (X = 4-6)

Abstract

Gas-phase decarboxylation of the acetate ligand in the magnesium acetate crown complex cations [CH3CO2Mg(3X-crown-X)]+ (where X = 4-6) has been explored as a means of synthesizing the corresponding organomagnesium cations as models for the organomagnesium core CH 3Mg+, which is solvated by ether ligands. Low-energy collision-induced dissociation (CID) of these complexes in ion trap mass spectrometers gives rise to a range of product ions. High-resolution mass measurements reveal the formation of isobaric product ions arising from decarboxylation, [CH3Mg(3X-crown-X)]+, and from loss of C2H4O from the crown ether ligand. The use of low-energy CID of the isotopically labeled complexes [CH313CO ..