Mass Spectrometric and Theoretical Study of Polyiodides: The Connection between Solid State, Solution, and Gas Phases

Polyiodides have been transferred intact from acetonitrile solution to the gas phase and analyzed by mass spectrometry. A range of ions were observed, including [I(11)](-), [I(13)](-), and [I(15)](-), which have higher iodine/iodide ratios than any previously characterized ions. Theoretical calculations show that branched structures are strongly favored, a result which is in excellent agreement with with gas phase fragmentation studies (MS/MS) and also previous solid state studies. This study demonstrates the utility of mass spectrometry to provide structural information in the absence of other spectroscopic handles.