Reaction of Fe2S2+ with C2H2 studied with a radiofrequency ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometer

Abstract The reactivity of iron sulfide cluster ions with acetylene has been studied in a radiofrequency ion trap with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. A newly built set-up is described in detail. The cluster ions are produced by laser ablation and stored in the ion trap for about one second to react with acetylene. The product ions as well as the remaining parent cluster ions are analyzed with the time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The Fe 2 S 2 + cluster ion reacts efficiently with C 2 H 2 and forms Fe 2 S 2 (C 2 H 2 ) n + ( n⪕4 ). The structure of Fe 2 S 2 + is discussed on the basis of the favorable attachment of two or four C 2 H 2 molecules.