Chemistry of methinyltricobalt enneacarbonyls. Part I. Mass spectra

Abstract

The mass spectra of the methinyltricobalt enneacarbonyls, Co₃(CO)₉CY (Y = H, F, Cl, Br, CH₃, and C₆H₅), are presented and discussed in terms of the known structures. Parent molecular ions are observed for all derivatives. Initial progressive loss of carbon monoxide with retention of the Co₃CY unit is followed by cleavage of cobalt–cobalt rather than cobalt–carbon bonds.

The ethylidyne group C–CH₃ undergoes a novel type of breakdown to give ethylenic-type fragments.