Reactions of water clusters H+(H2O)n, n = 3−75, with diethyl ether Original Research Article

Fragmentation and ligand exchange reactions of protonated water clusters H+(H2O)n, n = 3−75 with diethyl ether were investigated in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. The reactions proceed efficiently until the water core is completely “coated” by an outer layer of organic ether molecules, and relatively stable ions with H+(H2O)m[(C2H5)2O]m+2 composition are formed. These further react on a much longer time scale towards the H+[(C2H5)2O]2 (m = 0) final product ion.