PNNL

Abstract

Electrospray ionization of alkali halide solutions in the negative ion mode results in the formation of cluster ions of the general formula, (MX)nX- and the behavior is similar to cluster ion formation in the positive ion mode. However, in addition to these cluster anions, alkali iodides form triiodide anion, I3-, in high abundance but this behavior is not extended to other halides except that a very low abundance of Br3- is observed from alkali bromides. Mixed trihalide anions, I2Y-, are observed in high abundance when a small amount (