Mass spectrometric approaches to the reactivity of transient neutrals

Abstract

During the past few years, Neutralisation–Reionisation Mass Spectrometry (NRMS) has developed from a method for the generation and structural characterisation of elusive and highly reactive neutral molecules to a useful tool for probing their chemical reactivity. Three major principles can be distinguished: (i) peak shape analysis, (ii) activation of the neutrals by collisions or light, and (iii) variation of the neutrals’ lifetimes. Several methodological approaches are discussed in conjunction with illustrating examples for the chemical reactivity of transient neutrals.