Generation of metal–carbon and metal–nitrogen clusters with a laser induced plasma technique

During the course of investigating dehydrogenation reactions induced by transition metals, we find that using a carrier gas containing hydrocarbons and ammonia instead of pure helium, in conjunction with a laser vaporization device, enables the facile production of metal–carbon and metal–nitrogen clusters in both the neutral and ionic forms. With only a change in the nature of the carrier gas, a variety of new classes of clusters can be produced.