Unimolecular dissociation of multiply-charged fullerene ions via the loss of intact C-6(+) units

In addition to previously reported spontaneous decay reactions involving the loss of C-2(+) and C-4(+), i.e. C-60(z+) --> C-58((z-1)+) + C-2(+) and C-60(z+) --> C-56((z-1)+) + C-4(+), we have also observed decay reactions such as C-60(4+) --> C-54(3+), C-58(4+) --> C-52(3+), C-56(4+) --> C-50(3+) and C-60(3+) --> C-54(2+) involving the overall loss of C-6(+). Based on a detailed analysis of the kinetic energy release of the larger fragment ions C-54(3+). C-52(3+), C-50(3+) and C-54(2+) respectively, by two-sector field mass spectrometry (MIKE scans) we can conclude that these reactions proceed via the evaporation of an intact C-6(+) unit (and not via the sequential loss of smaller molecular carbon units).