Formation of Dianions in Helium Nanodroplets1. (8th October 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mauracher, Andreas; Daxner, Matthias; Huber, Stefan E.; Postler, Johannes; Renzler, Michael; Denifl, Stephan; Scheier, Paul; Ellis, Andrew M.
• Is Part Of: Angewandte Chemie. Volume 126:Number 50(2014)
• Page Start: 14014
• Page End: 14017
• Publication Date: 2014-10-08
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540
• DOI: 10.1002/ange.201408172
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0044-8249

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>The formation of dianions in helium nanodroplets is reported for the first time. The fullerene cluster dianions (C₆₀)_{<italic>n</italic>}²⁻ and (C₇₀)_{<italic>n</italic>}²⁻ were observed by mass spectrometry for <italic>n</italic>≥5 when helium droplets containing the appropriate fullerene were subjected to electron impact at approximately 22 eV. A new mechanism for dianion formation is described, which involves a two‐electron transfer from the metastable He⁻ ion. As well as the prospect of studying other dianions at low temperature using helium nanodroplets, this work opens up the possibility of a wider investigation of the chemistry of He⁻, a new electron‐donating reagent.</p> </abstract>