Nanochemistry – Chemical Reactions of Iron and Benzene Within Molecular Clusters

Molecular clusters represent a nanoscale test tube where chemical reactions can be examined in a unique way for the effects of the local environment and the possibility of size-dependent reactions. Previous experiments have shown that the ionization/dissociation of iron pentacarbonyl clusters can lead to the formation of iron ions and iron cluster ions and that these species can further react with dopant molecules to yield chemically rearranged products. The present experiments characterize similar reactions with benzene molecules and clusters. Heteroclusters of the form [Fe(CO)5]m(C6H6)nArp are created in an expanding supersonic jet of the component molecules. Following ionization by a 30 ps, 266 nm laser pulse, extensive dissociation, aggregation, and chemical rearrangement occurs leading to ionic products which are characterized by mass spectrometry. Cluster ions of the type Fem(C6H6)n+ are observed as products. The stability of the sandwich form of the ion, Fe(benzene)2+, is inferred from the data. Evidence for a similar special stability for the double-decker, Fe2(benzene)3+, is presented.