title: Isotope Exchange in Ionized O(3)/O(2) Mixtures: The Role of O(5)(+), a Unique O(n)()(+) Complex.
abstract: A hitherto unknown reaction, the isotope exchange between oxygen and ozone, accompanies formation of the latter upon ionization of O(2) or air, a long-known process widely utilized for the production of ozone and of great relevance to atmospheric chemistry. The isotope exchange was demonstrated and its mechanism established by mass spectrometric techniques that allowed identification of the charged intermediate, the O(5)(+) ion, characterized by the joint application of theoretical and experimental methods as truly unique among all known O(n)()(+) complexes. The results are of interest to atmospheric chemistry, bearing on the problem related to the widely different extent of (18)O enrichment of ozone in the stratosphere and in the troposphere.
authors.affiliation: Università di Roma "La Sapienza", P. le A. Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy, and Università di Perugia, V. Elce di Sotto 8, 06100 Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fulvio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cacace
authors.forename: Romano
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cipollini
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Petris
authors.forename: Federico
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pepi
authors.forename: Marzio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rosi
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sgamellotti