Distonic ions are chemical species that contain ionic charges and radical sites in different locations (on separate atoms), unlike regular radicals where the formal charge and unpaired electron are in the same location. These molecular species are created by ionization of either zwitterions or diradicals; ultimately, a neutral molecule loses an electron. Through experimental research distonic radicals have been found to be extremely stable gas phase ions and can be separated into different classes depending on the inherent features of the charged portion of the ion.