Mass spectra of the tetramethyl and tetraethyl compounds of carbon, silicon, germanium, tin and lead

Abstract

Abstract This paper reports the monoisotopic mass spectra of the tetramethyl and tetraethyl compounds of carbon, silicon, germanium, tin and lead. Metastable ion transitions and appearance potentials are given. The primary ionization results in an electron deficiency on the metal atoms, which attain electron configurations similar to those of the third‐group elements. The stabilities of the valence states of these elements explain the cracking patterns.