Gas-Phase Reactions of Rh+ with Alkanes

Article abstract of DOI:10.1021/ja00386a019

The gas-phase reactions of laser-desorbed Rh⁺ with various alkanes are examined using Fourier transform mass spectrometry (FTMS).The secondary reactions of these product ions are also reported.In contrast to the first-row group 8 transition metal ions whose reactions with alkanes show extensive cleavage of C-C bonds, Rh⁺ shows few products resulting from C-C cleavage, and dehydrogenation is the major process in all reactions.Evidence is given that suggests the existence of a ?-allylic intermediate, and some dehydrocyclization is indicated in our results.Ligands with molecular formulas corresponding to trienes bound to rhodium show no further reaction which may be caused by either steric or electronic effects.