Gas phase reactivity of rare earth metal cations with trialkylorthoformates: synthesis of neutral rare earth alkoxides

摘要

Gas phase reactions of the rare earth metal cations Y~+ and Ln~+ (Ln = La - Lu, except Pm) with trimethylorthoformate and of Y~+ and Lu~+ with triethyl and tripropyl orthoformates were studied by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The results obtained were compared with previous observations made with the remaining rare earth cation Sc~+ and confirmed that, in the gas phase, trialkylorthoformates can be good alkoxy group suppliers, leading to dialkoxymetal ions, which subsequently react with orthoesters to form a dialkoxymethyl cation and, presumably, a neutral metal trialkoxide. These reactions appear to be a possible route for the gas phase synthesis of rare earth metal alkoxides.