Structure of aldehyde cluster ions in the gas phase, according to data from ion mobility spectrometry and ab initio calculations

Ion-mobility spectra of a set of aliphatic linear aldehydes with the number of carbon atoms from 3 to 7 are obtained. Values of the mobility corresponding to two most intense peaks, considered to be those of a monomer and dimer, are determined according the spectra. Based on mobility, collision cross sections are calculated using the Mason-Schamp equation. The linear increase in the collision cross sections upon an increase in molecular weight is determined. According to the experimental results, the contribution to the cross section that has no dependence on molecular weight diminishes with the formation of dimers. It is established using quantum chemical calculations that this is associated with a reduction in the dipole moment upon the formation of dimers.