title: Collision-induced dissociation of HS-(HCN): unsymmetrical hydrogen bonding in a proton-bound dimer anion.
abstract: The energy-resolved competitive collision-induced dissociation of the proton-bound complex [HS.H.CN](-) is studied in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. H(2)S and HCN have nearly identical gas-phase acidities, and therefore, the HS(-) + HCN and the CN(-) + H(2)S product channels exhibit nearly the same threshold energies, as expected. However, the HS(-) + HCN channel has a cross section up to a factor of 50 larger than CN(-) + H(2)S at higher energies. The cross sections are modeled using RRKM theory and phase space theory. The complex dissociates to HS(-)+ HCN via a loose transition state, and it dissociates to CN(-) + H(2)S via a tight transition state. Theoretical calculations show that the proton-transfer potential energy surface has a single minimum and that the hydrogen bonding in the complex is strongly unsymmetrical, with an ion-molecule complex of the form HS(-)..HCN rather than CN(-)..H(2)S or an intermediate structure. The requirement for proton transfer before dissociation and curvature along the reaction path impedes the CN(-) + H(2)S product channel.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Chemical Physics Program, University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA.
authors.forename: F Ahu
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Akin
authors.forename: Kent M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ervin