title: Unusual products observed in gas-phase W(x)O(y)- + H2O and D2O reactions.
abstract: Addition of H(2)O and D(2)O to small tungsten suboxide cluster anions W(x)O(y)(-) (x = 1-4; y < or = 3x) was studied using mass spectrometric measurements from a high-pressure fast flow reactor. Within the WO(y)(-) mass manifold, which also includes WO(4)H(-), product masses correspond to the addition of one to three H(2)O or D(2)O molecules. Within the W(2)O(y)(-) cluster series, product distributions suggest that sequential oxidation W(2)O(y)(-) + H(2)O/D(2)O --> W(2)O(y+1)(-) + H(2)/D(2) occurs for y < 5, while for W(2)O(5)(-), W(2)O(6)H(2)(-)/W(2)O(6)D(2)(-) is primarily produced. W(2)O(6)(-) does not appear reactive. For the W(3)O(y)(-) cluster series, sequential oxidation with H(2) and D(2) production occurs for y < 6, while W(3)O(6)(-) and W(3)O(7)(-) produce W(3)O(7)H(2)(-)/W(3)O(7)D(2)(-) and W(3)O(8)H(2)(-)/W(3)O(8)D(2)(-), respectively. Lower mass resolution in the W(4)O(y)(-) mass range prevents definitive product assignments, but intensity patterns suggest that sequential oxidation with H(2)/D(2) evolution occurs for y < 6, while W(4)O(y+1)H(2)(-)/W(4)O(y+1)D(2)(-) products result from addition to W(4)O(6)(-) and W(4)O(7)(-). Based on bond energy arguments, the H(2)/D(2) loss reaction is energetically favored if the new O-W(x)O(y)(-) bond energy is greater than 5.1 eV. The relative magnitude of the rate constants for sequential oxidation and H(2)O/D(2)O addition for the x = 2 series was determined. There are no discernable differences in rate constants for reactions with H(2)O or D(2)O, suggesting that the H(2) and D(2) loss from the lower-oxide/hydroxide intermediates is very fast relative to the addition of H(2)O or D(2)O.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 East Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, USA.
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Rothgeb
authors.forename: Ekram
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hossain
authors.forename: Angela T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Troyer
authors.forename: Caroline Chick
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Jarrold
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Mayhall
authors.forename: Krishnan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Raghavachari