Mechanistic insights from mass spectrometry: examination of the elementary steps of catalytic reactions in the gas phase

Real-time mass spectrometric monitoring of speciation in a catalytic reaction while it is occurring provides powerful insights into mechanistic aspects of the reaction, but cannot be expected to elucidate all details. However, mass spectrometers are not limited just to analysis: they can serve as reaction vessels in their own right, and given their powers of separation and activation in the gas phase, they are also capable of generating and isolating reactive intermediates. We can use these capabilities to help fill in our overall understanding of the catalytic cycle by examining the elementary steps that make it up. This article provides examples of how these simple reactions have been examined in the gas phase.