Studies of reactive intermediates using matrix and gas-phase techniques

In the direct investigation of reactive intermediates it is particularly valuable to use a combination of several spectroscopic techniques. This commentary highlights recent examples, using primarily flash vacuum thermolysis for the generation of the intermediates, and matrix IR spectroscopy in conjunction with gas-phase mass spectrometric methods for their identification. The examples include nitrile imines, nitrile ylides, nitrile sulfides and selenides, dinitrogen sulfide and several novel cumulenes (X=C=C=Y, RN=C=C=C=X).