Journal of the American Chemical Society, Vol.123, No.40, 9800-9805, 2001
The RS-center dot HSR hydrogen bond: Acidities of alpha,omega-dithiols and electron affinities of their monoradicals
Gas-phase acidities (DeltaG(acid)(o)) have been measured for 1,2-ethanedithiol, 1,3-propanedithiol, and 1,4- butanedithiol, using a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (Fr-ICR) mass spectrometer. Adiabatic electron affinities (EAs) of the thiolate monoradicals of these compounds were assigned from electron photodetachment spectra of their corresponding thiolate monoanions, acquired using a cw-ICR. The dithiols exhibit enhanced acidities (up to 8.7 kcal/mol in DeltaG(acid)(o)) and greater EAs (up to 6.7 kcal/mol) than analogous monothiol species. These differences are attributed to an intramolecular RS-. HSR hydrogen bond in the thiolate anion. Considerations of the RO-. HOR hydrogen bond in monoanions of alpha,omega -diols and in the [CH3O-. HOCH3] complex anion suggest that the RS-. HSR hydrogen bond provides up to 9 kcal/mol extra stabilization.