The isomerization of [H2O-C=O]o+ and [HC(=O)OH]o+ into [HO-C-OH]o+: proton-transport catalysis by CO

C.Y. Wong, P.J.A. Ruttink, P.C. Burgers, J.K. Terlouw

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Mass spectrometry based experiments show that the m/z 46 ion generated in chemical ionization experiments of CO with a trace of water is not the previously proposed formic acid ion, HC(O)OH+ (1). Instead, the more stable dihydroxycarbene ion, HO–C–OH+ (2) is formed. A mechanistic analysis using the CBS-QB3 model chemistry supports the reaction sequence: (CO)2+ + H2O → H2O–CO+ (3), followed by the CO catalyzed isomerization: 3 + CO → 2 + CO. Solitary ions 1 and 2 do not interconvert, but theory and experiment agree that CO also efficiently catalyzes the conversion 1 → 2.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)176-180
Number of pages5
JournalChemical Physics Letters
Volume390
Issue number1-3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2004

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