Infrared and electronic spectroscopy of a model system for the nucleophilic substitution intermediate in the gas phase: The C-N valence bond formation in the benzene-ammonia cluster cation

Infrared and electronic spectroscopy was applied to the benzene-ammonia cluster cation in the gas phase, and the observed spectra revealed the formation of a new C-N valence bond between the benzene and ammonia moieties, which is predicted by the quantum chemical calculations. This cluster cation is regarded as a model for the cyclohexadienyl type intermediate in nucleophilic substitution reactions.