Cu(NH3)1–2 complexes: formation and characterization in the gas phase by neutralization–reionization mass spectrometry

The Cu(0) complexes Cu(NH3) and Cu(NH3)2 are formed in the gas phase by neutralization of the corresponding monocations. The mass spectra obtained after reionization indicate that both complexes survive intact for ≥0.3 μs and, thus, are stable species residing in potential energy minima. A fraction of the Cu(NH3) and Cu(NH3)2 molecules generated in the neutralization step undergo dissociation to Cu(0)+NH3 and Cu(NH3)+NH3, respectively, before reionization.