Methenium

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Methenium
File:Methyl cation.svg
File:Methyl cation ball.png
File:Methyl cation spacefill.png
Names
Preferred IUPAC name
Methylium[1]
Other names
Methyl cation; Carbanylium
Identifiers
3D model (JSmol)
1839325
ChEBI
ChemSpider
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E number Lua error in Module:Wikidata at line 880: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
48893
UNII
  • InChI=1S/CH3/h1H3/q+1
    Key: JUHDUIDUEUEQND-UHFFFAOYSA-N
  • [CH3+]
Properties
CH3+
Molar mass 15.034 g·mol−1
Related compounds
borane
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

In organic chemistry, methenium (also called methylium, carbenium,[2] methyl cation, or protonated methylene) is a cation with the formula CH+
3
. It can be viewed as a methylene radical (:CH
2
) with an added proton (H+
), or as a methyl radical (•CH
3
) with one electron removed. It is a carbocation and an enium ion, making it the simplest of the carbenium ions.[3]

Structure

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Experiments and calculations generally agree that the methenium ion is planar, with threefold symmetry.[3] The carbon atom is a prototypical (and exact) example of sp2 hybridization.

Preparation and reactions

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For mass spectrometry studies at low pressure, methenium can be obtained by ultraviolet photoionization of methyl radical,[3] or by collisions of monatomic cations such as C+
and Kr+
with neutral methane.[4] In such conditions, it will react with acetonitrile CH
3
CN
to form the ion (CH
3
)
2
CN+
.[5]

Upon capture of a low-energy electron (less than eV), it will spontaneously dissociate.[6]

It is seldom encountered as an intermediate in the condensed phase. It is proposed as a reactive intermediate that forms upon protonation or hydride abstraction of methane with FSO3H-SbF5. The methenium ion is very reactive, even towards alkanes.[7]

Detection

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Origins of life

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In June 2023, astronomers detected, for the first time outside the Solar System, methyl cation, CH3+ (and/or carbon cation, C+), the known basic ingredients of life, in interstellar space.[8][9]

See also

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References

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