title: Synthesis and Characterization of Molybdenum Carbide Clusters MonC4n, (n = 1 to 4).
abstract: Laser radiation (XeCl laser, 308-nanometer wavelength) focused into a cell containing Mo(CO)(6) vapor produced ultrafine particles in the extended waist of the laser beam. Negative ion mass spectrometry revealed molybdenum carbide cluster ions with a stoichiometry MonC4n (n = 1 to 4). The MonC4n(-) (n = 2 to 4) ions are completely unreactive with NH(3), H(2)O, and O(2), suggesting structures in which the molybdenum atoms are unavailable for coordination to additional ligands. Collision-induced dissociation studies of these anions show the loss of MoC(4) units as the main fragmentation pathway. This observation, together with the lack of addition reactions, provides a basis for structures in which a planar cluster of two, three, or four molybdenum atoms is surrounded by, and bonded to, carbon dimers.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Haufler
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Hettich
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Barshick
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Compton
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Puretzky
authors.forename: A V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Dem'yanenko
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Tuinman