Boron cluster ion oxidation: Reactions with CO2, dissociation of boron cluster oxide (BnO+) ions, and sequential oxidation

Cross sections for oxidation reactions of boron cluster ions (B+1–14) with CO2 are reported as a function of collision energy. The results give insight into the oxidation mechanism and are a sensitive probe of the B+n–O bond energy. In addition, collision-induced dissociation (CID) was used to measure the stabilities of boron monoxide cluster ions (BnO+) and energetic and structural information is obtained that indicates that at least, in some cases, oxidation causes structural rearrangement of the clusters. Sequential oxidation of boron cluster ions by CO2 was also studied and the results give further insight into the reaction mechanism and energetics.