| Title | Unravelling the dissociation pathways of acetic acid upon electron transfer in potassium collisions: experimental and theoretical studies. |
|---|---|
| Authors | G. Meneses; C. Widmann; T. Cunha; A. Gil; F. da Silva; M.J. Calhorda; P. Limão-Vieira |
| Journal | Phys Chem Chem Phys |
| DOI | 10.1039/c6cp06375f |
| Abstract |
Electron transfer in alkali-molecule collisions with gas phase acetic acid and its deuterated analogues resulting in OH(-) formation requires considerable internal rearrangement in the temporary negative ion. At a collision energy well above the threshold of negative ion formation, electron transfer from potassium to CH3COOH/CH3COOD and CD3COOH results not only in H transfer from CH3 to COOH/COOD, but also in H release from COOH and subsequent rearrangement to eliminate OH(-). These processes are also investigated by theoretical post-Hartree-Fock and DFT calculations. The combination of both studies reveals that the most favourable intermediate mechanism occurs via diol formation. Such intramolecular H transfer is reported here for the first time in the context of electron transfer induced dissociation experiments in alkali-molecule collisions. A comprehensive fragmentation study is presented and dissociation mechanisms are suggested. |
See more Potassium products. Potassium (atomic symbol: K, atomic number: 19) is a Block S, Group 1, Period 4 element with an atomic weight of 39.0983. The number of electrons in each of Potassium's shells is [2, 8, 8, 1] and its electron configuration is [Ar] 4s1. The potassium atom has a radius of 227.2 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 275 pm. Potassium was discovered and first isolated by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1807. Potassium is the seventh most abundant element on earth. It is one of the most reactive and electropositive of all metals and rapidly oxidizes. As with other alkali metals, potassium decomposes in water with the evolution of hydrogen because of its reacts violently with water, it only occurs in nature in ionic salts.
In its elemental form, potassium has a silvery gray metallic appearance, but its compounds (such as potassium hydroxide) are more frequently used in industrial and chemical applications. The origin of the element's name comes from the English word 'potash,' meaning pot ashes, and the Arabic word qali, which means alkali. The symbol K originates from the Latin word kalium.