Gas phase reactions of Mo+ and W+ ions with the molecules of various oxidants (NO, 02, N20, CH20, C2H40) were studied using ion cyclotron resonance. In oxidation with N20 the mono-, di- and trioxide metal cations are formed consecutively. The trioxide MO~- ions of both metals react with CO to form CO2 and MO + ions. In this way, catalytic reaction N20 + CO N2 + CO2 occurs in the gas phase with MoO +/MoO + and WO +/WO + couples as catalysts. The rate constants have been measured for both stages of the catalytic cycle as well as for the stages of the catalyst preparation. Metal-oxygen bond energies were estimated for MoO + and WO + species with various x. The mechanism of CO oxidation with MoO + and WO + cations as catalysts in the gas phase is discussed in comparison with that for the oxidation over classical solid oxide catalysts.
