BIRD (blackbody infrared radiative dissociation): evolution, principles, and applications

Area of Science:

• Physical Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Chemical Physics

Background:

• Blackbody infrared radiative dissociation (BIRD) studies ion-dissociation reactions at low pressures.
• The ambient blackbody radiation field drives these reactions, typically observed in ion-trapping ion cyclotron resonance (ICR) mass spectrometers.
• The historical context and evolution of BIRD are summarized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop methods for connecting BIRD observations with activation parameters and dissociation thermochemistry.
• To differentiate and describe BIRD kinetics in three molecular size regimes: large, small, and intermediate.
• To survey the wide-ranging applications of BIRD in studying gas-phase ions.

Main Methods:

• Quantitative observation of temperature dependence of BIRD rates.
• Development of kinetic interpretation approaches for different molecular size regimes.
• Survey of BIRD applications and related techniques.

Main Results:

• Methods established for linking BIRD rates to thermodynamic and kinetic parameters.
• Distinct BIRD kinetic behaviors identified for large, small, and intermediate molecules.
• Broad applicability demonstrated across diverse ion systems, including biomolecules and ion complexes.

Conclusions:

• BIRD is a powerful technique for elucidating ion thermochemistry and structure.
• The temperature dependence of BIRD rates provides crucial mechanistic and energetic information.
• BIRD and related methods offer versatile tools for analyzing gas-phase ion chemistry.