Cover Feature: Hydration of Phenylium: Oxonium or Carbenium Ion Formation? (ChemistryEurope 4/2026)

Key Points

• Investigate the binding location of an additional proton in phenylium hydration products.
• Analyzed spectral fingerprints to study atomic rearrangements after reactive collisions.
• Examined the hydration process of phenylium involving a phenol-like product.
• Identified the binding site of the additional proton using spectroscopic techniques.
• Determined whether the proton binds to the six-membered carbon ring or the oxygen atom.
• Provided insights into the mechanisms of ion formation in reactive collisions.