Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol.109, No.32, 7296-7308, 2005
G3(MP2) study of the C3H6O+center dot isomers fragmented from 1,4-dioxane(+center dot)
The fragmentation process of ionized 1,4-dioxane and the reactions between the C3H6O+center dot ions, one of the major fragments, and various reactants (including acetonitrile, formaldehyde, ethylene, and propene) have been studied experimentally with mass spectrometry. In the present work, G3(MP2) calculations were carried out to investigate these processes theoretically. In agreement with experiment, isomers CH3OCHCH2+center dot (1) and (CHCH2OCH2+)-C-center dot (2) were found to be the C3H6O+center dot ions fragmented from ionized 1,4-dioxane, with 2 being the major product. The mechanisms of the formation of 1 and 2 were successfully established. In addition, the characteristic reactivities, as well as the corresponding reaction mechanisms, of both isomers were rationalized with the aid of calculations. Finally, a minor reaction between isomer 2 and propene was identified, and the presence of the product of this reaction was found to be useful in explaining the aforementioned mass spectrometric data.