Unimolecular and collision induced decompositions of gas-phase group IV a enium ions (CH₃)₃M⁺

The fragmentation characteristics of the trimethyl-Group IV cations have been studied using mass analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE), V ^{1 2}/E (linked) metastable and consecutive reaction monitoring techniques. Both unimolecular (low energy) and collision induced (high energy) decompositions were studied. These methods give information on the ion of interest without interfering contributions from the precursor ion of the trimethyl cation. The results have been interpreted in terms of the decreasing metal-carbon bond strength and the increasing preference for the +2 oxidation state going down Group IV from carbon to lead.