Gas phase ion molecule reactions of η6-arenetricarbonylchromium compounds with propene, benzene and toluene

Positive chemical ionization mass spectra of arenetricarbonylchromium compounds with propene, benzene and toluene, at about 0.5 torr, are reported. Protonation, charge exchange, fragmentation and CO substitution processes occur for all these complexes. The abundances of the [M + H]+ and substituted ions strongly depend on the reagent gas and, for any given gas, on the coordinated arene. The effects of the nature of the reagent gas and of the coordinated arene on the ion abundances are discussed and reaction mechanisms suggested.