Generation and reactivity of the fragment ion [BIS(CN)] in the gas phase and on surfaces.

Gaseous fragment ions generated in mass spectrometers may be employed as "building blocks" for the synthesis of novel molecules on surfaces using ion soft-landing. A fundamental understanding of the reactivity of the fragment ions is required to control bond formation of deposited fragments in surface layers. The fragment ion [BX] (X = halogen) is formed by collision-induced dissociation (CID) from the precursor [BX] dianion.