The Basics of Gas-Phase Ion Chemistry

Abstract

This article deals with the fundamental definitions used in mass spectrometry and gas-phase ion chemistry. Positive ions are characterized by ionization energy, proton affinity and gas-phase basicity. Negative ions are characterized by electron affinity and gas-phase acidity. Also discussed are the fragmentation energetics and types of potential energy diagrams. Kinetic aspects of ion dissociations are discussed with respect to charge distribution in even-electron and odd-electron ions, and parameters controlling rate constants, such as activation energy and frequency factors.