Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Photoelectron Imaging of Anions Illustrated by 310 Nm Detachment of F−
Published on: July 27, 2018
New photoheterolysis precursors to study oxenium ions: combining experiment and theory
1Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, 2101d Hach Hall, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA. winter@iastate.edu.
Abstract:
The combination of theoretical calculations and laser flash photolysis experiments has aided in understanding the reactivity and properties of oxenium ions. Direct observation of the reactivity, spin configurations, and lifetimes of short-lived oxenium ions via laser flash photolysis (LFP) techniques is now possible due to the discovery of new photoprecursors to these species. These new precursors allowed the direct observation of the parent phenyloxenium ion in solution by using protonated hydroxylamine tetrafluoroborate salt. Computations suggest that the singlet-triplet gap (ΔEST) of aryloxenium ions can be tuned by substituents, and predicted a ground state triplet oxenium ion, which was confirmed by experimental studies. The interplay of theory and experiment in understanding these species is discussed.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Radical Formation: Homolysis
Oxidative Cleavage of Alkenes: Ozonolysis
Ozone is a symmetrical bent molecule stabilized by a resonance structure.
Strong Acid and Base Solutions
Reactivity of Enolate Ions
Oxidation of Alcohols
The process of oxidation in a chemical reaction is observed in any of the three forms:
Alkynes to Carboxylic Acids: Oxidative Cleavage

