Spectroscopy of Reactive Complexes and Solvated Clusters: A Bottom-Up Approach Using Cryogenic Ion Traps

In this paper, applications of cryogenic ion traps for forming reaction intermediates and solvated clusters from precursor ions generated by electrospray ionization are presented and discussed. These studies are motivated by the aim of spectroscopically probing isolated complexes that exhibit higher levels of complexity in chemical compositions and intermolecular interactions, which make them more closely resemble the systems existing in real-world environments. Illustrative examples are provided to highlight the current capabilities, showcase the detailed information available in the spectroscopic results, and outline general future directions.