Flow-tube studies of reactions of selected ions with cyanoacetylene

Abstract

Rate constants and product distributions have been determined for ion/molecule reactions of cyanoacetylene (HC3N) with He+, C+(2P), CH3+, C2+, C2H+, C2H2+, CN+, C2N+, C2N2+, N2+, CO+, H3+, N2H+, HCO+, C2H3+, H3O+, CH3NO2H+, CH3CNH+, (CH3)2COH+, i-C3H7OH2, C3H+, and C4N+. The measurements were performed with the selected-ion flow-tube (SIFT) technique at 296 ± 2 K. The observed reactions exhibit a variety of pathways including charge transfer, proton transfer, condensation, and association. The condensation and association reactions are suited for molecular growth by ion/molecule reactions. Special consideration is given to the active role of cyanoacetylene in the possible molecular synthesis which occurs in dense interstellar gas clouds by ion/molecule reactions.