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Synthesis of Nine-atom Deltahedral Zintl Ions of Germanium and their Functionalization with Organic Groups
Published on: February 11, 2012
Interface Specific SN2 Reactions of Gemini Diammonium Ions
Theis I Solling1, Martin P Andersson1, J L Beauchamp2
1College of Petroleum Engineering & Geosciences, CIPR, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Dhahran31261, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
This study demonstrates a unique interface-specific SN2 reaction of the gemini surfactant decamethonium bromide at the air-water boundary. Using electrospray and field-induced droplet ionization mass spectrometry combined with DFT and COSMO-RS modeling, we show that interfacial charge alignment induces combination of two diammonium ions via water to yield an ether dimer. The reaction is absent in bulk solution and is strongly enhanced at the interface due to stabilization of a bent, Br--pinned conformer. Computational results confirm reduced activation barriers and amphiphilic orientation driving interfacial reactivity, offering insight into charge-directed chemistry at liquid interfaces and new routes for controlled synthesis.
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