Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.117, No.14, 4026-4029, 1995
Reactions of Titanium-Carbon Cluster Cations with Acetone - New Evidence for the Stability of the Met-Cars
Reactivities of titanium-carbon clusters with acetone are investigated using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer coupled with a laser vaporization source. Unlike the Met-Car Ti8C12+, the other titanium-carbon clusters studied here show some degree of chemical reactivity toward acetone. In addition to reacting via association channels, the carbon-poor cluster Ti8C11+ is able to break the chemical bonds of acetone. It is also observed that the carbon-rich clusters Ti8C13+ and Ti8C14+ can undergo reactive loss of carbon, leading to the Ti8C12+ species (Met-Car) upon interaction with the acetone reactant. These studies provide new insight into the reactivities of transition metal-carbon clusters and further evidence for the stability of Met-Cars.