Propane activation by MC5H+5 (M = Ni and Co): An experimental and theoretical work

The reactions of MC5H+5 (M = Ni and Co) with propane in gaseous phase have been studied with an ion trap mass spectrometer; the MC5H+5 ions are able to activate the propane molecule which undergoes a dehydrogenation reaction. At variance with the reactions of the bare metal ions no loss of methane is observed; the reaction mechanism has been explored by means of DFT calculations and a possible explanation is offered for the different reactivity of these ligated ions.