Superhelicenes in the gas phase: experimental and computational evidence of stable radical cation dimers†
Marina Kinzelmann,David Reger,Vera Warmbrunn,Norbert Jux,Thomas Drewello
Chemical Communications Pub Date : 04/25/2023 00:00:00 , DOI:10.1039/D3CC01312J
Abstract

Electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) readily produces stable radical cation π-dimers of the superhelicenes. Energy-resolved collision experiments reveal the dissociation of the dicationic dimer into two singly charged superhelicenes. DFT calculations indicate that open-shell dications composed of two radical cations are thermochemically more attractive than the closed-shell dimer formed by a doubly charged and a neutral superhelicene.

Graphical abstract: Superhelicenes in the gas phase: experimental and computational evidence of stable radical cation dimers