The ultraviolet photofragmentation of doubly charged transition metal complexes in the gas phase:: Initial results for [Cu.(pyridine)n]2+ and [Ag.(pyridine)n]2+ ions

Results are presented of a study of the UV photofragmentation patterns of the doubly charged complexes [Cu.(pyridine)(n)](2+) and [Ag.(pyridine)(n)](2+) for n=4-7. The two systems behave very differently, with Ag(II) being dominated by the presence of charge transfer products at small values of n. This ease of reduction of Ag(II) can be equated to behavior seen in the condensed phase. At all values of n both types of complex display a remarkable tendency to fragment to the most stable configuration, which can correspond to either a singly or doubly charged ion. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021- 9606(00)01418-5].