Methenium

Methenium (CH+
3).

In organic chemistry, methenium (also called methylium, the methyl cation, or protonated methylene) is a positive ion with the formula CH+
3. It can be viewed as a methylene radical (:CH
2) with an added proton (H+
), or as a methyl radical (•CH
3) with one electron removed. It is a carbocation and an enium ion, making it the simplest of the carbenium ions.[1]

Structure

The methenium ion is planar or nearly planar, with threefold symmetry.[1]

Preparation and reactions

For mass spectrometry studies at low pressure, methenium can be obtained by ultraviolet photoionization of methyl radical,[1] or by collisions of monatomic cations like C+
 and Kr+
 with neutral methane.[2] In such conditions, it will react with acetonitrile CH
3CN to form the ion (CH
3)
2CN+
.[3]

The methenium ion is very reactive, even towards alkanes. Upon capture of a low-energy electron (less than 1 eV), it will spontaneously dissociate.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 3 L. Golob, N. Jonathan, A. Morris, M. Okuda, K.J. Ross (1972), "The first ionization potential of the methyl radical as determined by photoelectron spectroscopy". Journal of Electron Spectroscopy and Related Phenomena, volume 1, issue 5, pages 506-508 doi:10.1016/0368-2048(72)80022-7
  2. ↑ R. B. Sharma , N. M. Semo , W. S. Koski (1987), "Dynamics of the reactions of methylium, methylene radical cation, and methyliumylidene with acetylene". Journal of Physical Chemistry, volume 91 issue 15, pages 4127–4131 doi:10.1021/j100299a037
  3. ↑ Murray J. McEwan, Arthur B. Denison, Wesley T. Huntress Jr., Vincent G. Anicich, J. Snodgrass, M. T. Bowers (1989), "Association reactions at low pressure. 2. The methylium/methyl cyanide system". Journal of Physical Chemistry, volume 93, issue 10, pages 4064–4068. doi:10.1021/j100347a039
  4. ↑ E. M. Bahati, M. Fogle, C. R. Vane, M. E. Bannister, R. D. Thomas and V. Zhaunerchyk (2009), "Electron-impact dissociation of CD+
    3     and CH+
    3     ions producing CD+
    2    , CH+
     and C+
     fragment ions". Physical Review A, volume 79, article 052703 doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.79.052703
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