title: Bond dissociation energy and Lewis acidity of the xenon fluoride cation.
abstract: This study focuses upon the Lewis acid reactivity of XeF(+) with various bases in the gas phase and the determination of the bond dissociation energy of XeF(+). The bond dissociation energy of XeF(+) has been measured by using energy-resolved collision-induced dissociation with neon, argon, and xenon target gases. Experiments with neon target yield a 298 K bond dissociation enthalpy of 2.81 +/- 0.09 eV, and those with argon target give a similar value at 2.83 +/- 0.12 eV. When using a xenon target, a significantly lower value of 1.95 +/- 0.16 eV was observed, which corresponds closely with previous measurements and theoretical predictions. It is proposed that the lighter target gases give inefficient excitation of the XeF(+) vibration leading to dissociation at energies higher than the BDE. Novel xenon-base adducts have been prepared in a flowing afterglow mass spectrometer by termolecular addition to XeF(+) and by reaction of base with XeF(+)(H(2)O). New species have been characterized qualitatively by CID, and it is found that the products formed reflect the relative ionization energies of the fragments. Among the new xenon-containing species that have been prepared are the first examples of xenon carbonyls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2084, USA.
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Krouse
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Wenthold