Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of metal-carbide cations MC(sub n)(super +) (M=Y and La; n=2, 4, and 6) with benzene and cyclohexane investigated by FTICR mass spectrometry and DFT calculations

The FTICR mass spectrometry study shows that the reactions of YC(sub 2)(super +) and LaC(sub 2)(super +) with benzene produce three main series of cluster ions. The study of gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of yitrium- and lanthanum-carbide cluster ions YC(sub n)(super +) and LaC(sub n)(super +) with benzene and cyclohexane reveal ligand effect on the gas-phase reactivity of these metal-carbide cluster ions.