The ionized FeCp2 + can then proceed through ionic decomposition, by losing one (reaction 8), or both the Cp ligand(s) (reaction 9). From FeCp2 + , the reaction energies for the electron induced decomposition of one Cp ligand or both the Cp ligands was calculated to be 3.3 eV (314 kJ/mol) and 6.9 eV (668 kJ/mol), respectively. Note, however, that emission lines corresponding to Fe + (Fe II) were not found using OES, indicating that reactions 9 is likely not prevalent.