Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance study of the gas‐phase reaction of the yttrium ion with silane

Abstract

Abstract Preliminary results obtained with a home‐made Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer on the sequential clustering reactions of silane using yttrium cation activation are reported. [YSi n H 2n ] + and [YSi n H 2n − 2 ] + ions are formed. So far, we have observed these ions up to n = 7 , and a sequential clustering mechanism is proposed. The ion structures are characterized by collision‐induced dissociation, and kinetic measurements to determine the formation and decay rates of each ion are performed.