title: Thermal methane activation by La(6)O(10)(-) cluster anions.
abstract: The first example of a metal oxide cluster anion, La6 O10 (-) that can activate methane under ambient conditions is reported. This reaction is facilitated by the oxygen-centered radical (O(-⋅) ) and follows the hydrogen atom transfer mechanism. The La6 O10 (-) has a high vertical electron detachment energy (VDE=4.06 eV) and a high symmetry (C4v ).
authors.affiliation: Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory for Structural Chemistry of Unstable and Stable Species, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongguancun North First Street 2, Beijing, 100190 (P.R. China), Fax: (+86) 10-62559373; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 (P.R. China).
authors.forename: Jing-Heng
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Xiao-Jiao
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: Zi-Yu
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Sheng-Gui
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Wei-Jun
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Zheng
keywords: CH activation; density functional calculations; mass spectrometry; oxide cluster anions; reaction mechanisms