Reactions of State-Selected Atomic Oxygen Ions O(+)((4)S, (2)D, (2)P) with Methane

Combined experimental and computational study of the reactivity of the methanimine radical cation (H2CNH˙+) and its isomer aminomethylene (HCNH2˙+) with propene (CH3CHCH2)

The gas phase reactivity of the radical cation isomers H2CNH˙+ (methanimine) and HCNH2˙+ (aminomethylene) with propene (CH3CHCH2) has been investigated by measuring absolute reactive cross sections and product branching ratios, under single collision conditions, as a function of collision energy (in the range ∼0.07-11.80 eV) using guided ion beam mass spectrometry coupled with VUV photoionization for selective isomer generation. Experimental results have been merged with theoretical calculations to elucidate reaction pathways and structures of products. The H2CNH˙+ isomer is over a factor two more reactive than HCNH2˙+. A major channel from both isomers is production of protonated methanimine CH2NH2+via hydrogen-atom transfer reaction but, while H2CNH˙+ additionally gives charge and proton transfer products, the HCNH2˙+ isomer leads instead to protonated vinylimine CH2CHCHNH2+, produced alongside CH3˙ radicals. The reactions have astrochemical implications in the build up of chemical complexity in both the interstellar medium and the hydrocarbon-rich atmospheres of planets and satellites.

The role of intersystem crossing in the reactive collision of S+(4S) with H2

We report a study on the reactive collision of S+(4S) with H2, HD, and D2 combining guided ion beam experiments and quantum-mechanical calculations. It is found that the reactive cross sections reflect the existence of two different mechanisms, one being spin-forbidden. Using different models, we demonstrate that the spin-forbidden pathway follows a complex mechanism involving three electronic states instead of two as previously thought. The good agreement between theory and experiment validates the methodology employed and allows us to fully understand the reaction mechanism. This study also provides new fundamental insights into the intersystem crossing process.

An innovative method to identify structural change through ion-molecule collision, making use of Time-Of-Flight measurements and SIMION simulations

Structural change of ions induced by collision with a neutral has been studied in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer, using Time-Of-Flight measurements and SIMION simulation. The exothermic catalytic isomerization of HOC+ to HCO+ is used to explore the new methodology. Isomerization is catalyzed via a proton transport mechanism through the interplay of a neutral molecule, the catalyst. Four different potential catalysts, Ne, D2, CH4, and C18O, were studied at different collision energies. SIMION simulation of the ion path and collision in the instrument leads to the highlight of a specific signature related to the catalytic isomerization in the time-of-flight spectra. This signature is used to identify the experimental conditions where isomerization takes place. Only C18O, at low collision energies, gives a clear signature of catalytic isomerization, and a quantitative estimate of the catalyzed isomerization cross-section and rate constant is derived. This new methodology is sensitive to clear presence of catalyzed isomerization and can be used in instruments designed for cross-section measurements, provided low collision energy is used and ion bunching is available.

Reactivity of the Ethenium Cation (C2H5+) with Ethyne (C2H2): A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

The gas-phase reaction between the ethyl cation (C2H5+) and ethyne (C2H2) is re-investigated by measuring absolute reactive cross sections (CSs) and branching ratios (BRs) as a function of collision energy, in the thermal and hyperthermal energy range, via tandem-guided ion beam mass spectrometry under single collision conditions. Dissociative photoionization of C2H5Br using tuneable VUV radiation in the range 10.5-14.0 eV is employed to generate C2H5+, which has also allowed us to explore the impact of increasing (vibrational) excitation on the reactivity. Reactivity experiments are complemented by theoretical calculations, at the G4 level of theory, of the relative energies and structures of the most relevant stationary points on the reactive potential energy hypersurface (PES) and by mass-analyzed ion kinetic energy (MIKE) spectrometry experiments to probe the metastable decomposition from the [C4H7]+ PES and elucidate the underlying reaction mechanisms. Two main product channels have been identified at a centre-of-mass collision energy of ∼0.1 eV: (a) C3H3++CH4, with BR = 0.76±0.05 and (b) C4H5++H2, with BR = 0.22±0.02. A third channel giving C2H3+ in association with C2H4 is shown to emerge at both high internal excitation of C2H5+ and high collision energies. From CS measurements, energy-dependent total rate constants in the range 4.3×10-11-5.2×10-10 cm3·molecule-1·s-1 have been obtained. Theoretical calculations indicate that both channels stem from a common covalently bound intermediate, CH3CH2CHCH+, from which barrierless and exothermic pathways exist for the production of both cyclic c-C3H3+ and linear H2CCCH+ isomers of the main product channel. For the minor C4H5+ product, two isomers are energetically accessible: the three-member cyclic isomer c-C3H2(CH3)+ and the higher energy linear structure CH2CHCCH2+, but their formation requires multiple isomerization steps and passages via transition states lying only 0.11 eV below the reagents' energy, thus explaining the smaller BR. Results have implications for the modeling of hydrocarbon chemistry in the interstellar medium and the atmospheres of planets and satellites as well as in laboratory plasmas (e.g., plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition of carbon nanotubes and diamond-like carbon films).

New light on the imbroglio surrounding the C8H+6 isomers formed from ionized azulene and naphthalene using ion-molecule reactions

Most polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can isomerize with internal energies near to or below the dissociation threshold. The C10H+8 group of ions, made up of the naphthalene (Naph+) and the azulene (Azu+) radical cations, is a prototypical example. C8H+6 isomers are important species in the growth kinetics and formation of complex organic molecules, and more generally fragments from larger PAHs, yet information about C8H+6 structures is scarce and contradictory. Here, ion-molecule reactions were carried out and the tunable photoionization chemical monitoring technique was used to probe the C8H+6 isomers formed upon C2H2-loss from Naph+ and Azu+. The experimental findings were interpreted with the support of ab initio and kinetics calculations. To facilitate the interpretation of these data, chemical reactivity starting from phenylacetylene (PA) was studied. It was found that most of the C8H+6 ions formed from C10H8, in a timescale of 40 μs, are PA+ in the vicinity of the dissociation threshold. No evidence of the pentalene radical cation (PE+) was observed and explanations to reconcile previous results are presented.

H2O˙+ and OH+ reactivity versus furan: experimental low energy absolute cross sections for modeling radiation damage

Radiotherapy is one of the most widespread and efficient strategies to fight malignant tumors. Despite its broad application, the mechanisms of radiation-DNA interaction are still under investigation. Theoretical models to predict the effects of a particular delivered dose are still in their infancy due to the difficulty of simulating a real cell environment, as well as the inclusion of a large variety of secondary processes. This work reports the first experimental study of the ion-molecule reactions of the H2O˙+ and OH+ ions, produced by photoionization with synchrotron radiation, with a furan (c-C4H4O) molecule, a template for deoxyribose sugar in DNA. The present experiments, performed as a function of the collision energy of the ions and the tunable photoionization energy, provide key parameters for the theoretical modelling of the effect of radiation dose, like the absolute cross sections for producing protonated furan (furanH+) and a radical cation (furan˙+), the most abundant products, which can amount up to 200 Å2 at very low collision energies (<1.0 eV). The experimental results show that furanH+ is more fragile, indicating how the protonation of the sugar component of the DNA may favor its dissociation with possible major radiosensitizing effects. Moreover, the ring opening of furanH+ isomers and the potential energy surface of the most important fragmentation channels have been explored by molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemistry calculations. The results show that, in the most stable isomer of furanH+, the ring opening occurs via a low energy pathway with carbon-oxygen bond cleavage, followed by the loss of neutral carbon monoxide and the formation of the allyl cation CH2CHCH2+, which instead is not observed in the fragmentation of furan˙+. At higher energies the ring opening through the carbon-carbon bond is accompanied by the loss of formaldehyde, producing HCCCH2+, the most intense fragment ion detected in the experiments. This work highlights the importance of the secondary processes, like the ion-molecule reactions at low energies in the radiation damage due to their very large cross sections, and it aims to provide benchmark data for the development of suitable models to approach this low collision energy range.

Monitoring the Light-induced Isomerisation of the Prototypical Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons C10 H8 + through Ion-Molecule Reactions

Structural rearrangements in ions are essential for understanding the composition and evolution of energetic and chemically active environments. This study explores the interconversion routes for simple polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, namely naphthalene and azulene radical cations (C₁₀ H₈ ⁺ ), by combining mass spectrometry and vacuum ultraviolet tunable synchrotron radiation through the chemical monitoring technique. Products of ion-molecule reactions are used to probe C₁₀ H₈ ⁺ structures that are formed as a function of their internal energies. Isomerisation from azulene radical cation towards naphthalene radical cation in a timescale faster than 80 μs was monitored, whereas no reverse isomerisation was observed in the same time window. When energising C₁₀ H₈ ⁺ with more than 6 eV, the reactivity of C₁₀ H₈ ⁺ unveils the formation of a new isomeric group with a contrasted reactivity compared with naphthalene and azulene cations. We tentatively assigned these structures to phenylvinylacetylene cations.

Structural elucidation of C6H4+· using chemical reaction monitoring: Charge transfer versus bond forming reactions

Mass spectrometry is a powerful tool but when used on its own, without specific activation of ions, the ion mass is the single observable and the structural information is absent. One way of retrieving this information is by using ion-molecule reactions. We propose a general method to disentangle isomeric structures by combining mass spectrometry, tunable synchrotron light source, and quantum-chemistry calculations. We use reactive chemical monitoring technique, which consists in tracking reactivity changes as a function of photoionization energy i.e. the ionic structure. We illustrate the power of this technique with charge transfer reactions of C6H4+· isomers with allene and propyne and discuss its universal applicability. Furthermore, we emphasize the special reactivity characteristics of distonic ions, where strong charge transfer reactivity but very limited reactivity involving bond formation and following cleavages were observed and attributed to the unconventional ortho -benzyne distonic cation.

Study of the Reactivity of CH3COOH+• and COOH+ Ions with CH3NH2: Evidence of the Formation of New Peptide-like C(O)-N Bonds

Acetamide, a small organic compound containing a peptide bond, was observed in the interstellar medium, but reaction pathways leading to the formation of this prebiotic molecule remain uncertain. We investigated the possible formation of a peptide-like bond from the reaction between acetic acid (CH₃-COOH) and methylamine (CH₃-NH₂) that were identified in the interstellar medium. From an experimental point of view, a quadrupole/octopole/quadrupole mass spectrometer was used in combination with synchrotron radiation as a tunable source of VUV photons for monitoring the reactivity of selected ions. Acetic acid was photoionized, and the reactivity of CH₃COOH^+• as well as COOH⁺ (produced from either acetic acid or formic acid) ions with neutral CH₃NH₂ was further studied. With no surprise, charge transfer, proton transfer, and concomitant dissociation processes were found to largely dominate the reactivity. However, a C(O)-N bond formation process between the two reactants was also evidenced, with a weak cross section reaction. From a theoretical point of view, results concerning reactivity and barrier heights were obtained using density functional theory, with the LC-ωPBE range-separated functional in combination with the 6-311++G(d,p) Pople basis set and are in perfect agreement with the experimental data.

State-Selected Reactivity of Carbon Dioxide Cations ( CO 2 + ) With Methane

The reactivity ofCO 2 + with CD4 has been experimentally investigated for its relevance in the chemistry of plasmas used for the conversion of CO2 in carbon-neutral fuels. Non-equilibrium plasmas are currently explored for their capability to activate very stable molecules (such as methane and carbon dioxide) and initiate a series of reactions involving highly reactive species (e.g., radicals and ions) eventually leading to the desired products. Energy, in the form of kinetic or internal excitation of reagents, influences chemical reactions. However, putting the same amount of energy in a different form may affect the reactivity differently. In this paper, we investigate the reaction ofCO 2 + with methane by changing either the kinetic energy ofCO 2 + or its vibrational excitation. The experiments were performed by a guided ion beam apparatus coupled to synchrotron radiation in the VUV energy range to produce vibrationally excited ions. We find that the reactivity depends on the reagent collision energy, but not so much on the vibrational excitation ofCO 2 + . Concerning the product branching ratios (CD 4 + /CD 3 + /DOCO+) there is substantial disagreement among the values reported in the literature. We find that the dominant channel is the production ofCD 4 + , followed by DOCO+ andCD 3 + , as a minor endothermic channel.

A Velocity Map Imaging Study of the Reactions of O+ (4S) With CH4

We present a velocity map imaging study of the key ion-molecule reactions occurring in the O⁺(⁴S_3/2) + CH₄ (X¹A₁) system at collision energies of 1.84 and 2.14 eV. In addition to charge transfer to form CH4+ (X²B₂), we also present data on formation of CH3+ (X¹A₁'), for which the experimentally determined images provide clear confirmation that the products arise from dissociative charge transfer rather than hydride transfer. Experimental data are also presented on the formation of HCO⁺ through a transient [OCH₄]⁺ complex living many rotational periods. Plausible reaction pathways and intermediate structures are presented to give insight into the routes for formation of these reaction products.

The Selective Role of Long-Range Forces in the Stereodynamics of Ion-Molecule Reactions: The He+ +Methyl Formate Case From Guided-Ion-Beam Experiments

Long-range intermolecular forces play a crucial role in controlling the outcome of ion-molecule chemical reactions, such as those determining the disappearance of organic or inorganic "complex" molecules recently detected in various regions of the interstellar medium due to collisions with abundant interstellar atomic ions (e.g. H⁺ and He⁺ ). Theoretical treatments, for example, based on simple capture models, are nowadays often adopted to evaluate the collision-energy dependence of reactive cross sections and the temperature dependent rate coefficients of many ion-molecule reactions. The obtained results are widely used for the modelling of phenomena occurring in different natural environments or technological applications such as astrophysical and laboratory plasmas. Herein it is demonstrated, through a combined experimental and theoretical investigation on a prototype ion-molecule reaction (He⁺ +methyl formate), that the dynamics, investigated in detail, shows some intriguing features that can lead to rate coefficients at odds with the expectations (e.g. Arrhenius versus anti-Arrhenius behaviour). Therefore, this study casts light on some new and general guidelines to be properly taken into account for a suitable evaluation of rate coefficients of ion-molecule reactions.

Effects of collision energy and vibrational excitation of CH3+ cations on its reactivity with hydrocarbons: But-2-yne CH3CCCH3 as reagent partner

The methyl carbocation is ubiquitous in gaseous environments, such as planetary ionospheres, cometary comae, and the interstellar medium, as well as combustion systems and plasma setups for technological applications. Here we report on a joint experimental and theoretical study on the mechanism of the reaction CH₃⁺ + CH₃CCCH₃ (but-2-yne, also known as dimethylacetylene), by combining guided ion beam mass spectrometry experiments with ab initio calculations of the potential energy hypersurface. Such a reaction is relevant in understanding the chemical evolution of Saturn's largest satellite, Titan. Two complementary setups have been used: in one case, methyl cations are generated via electron ionization, while in the other case, direct vacuum ultraviolet photoionization with synchrotron radiation of methyl radicals is used to study internal energy effects on the reactivity. Absolute reactive cross sections have been measured as a function of collision energy, and product branching ratios have been derived. The two most abundant products result from electron and hydride transfer, occurring via direct and barrierless mechanisms, while other channels are initiated by the electrophilic addition of the methyl cation to the triple bond of but-2-yne. Among the minor channels, special relevance is placed on the formation of C₅H₇⁺, stemming from H₂ loss from the addition complex. This is the only observed condensation product with the formation of new C-C bonds, and it might represent a viable pathway for the synthesis of complex organic species in astronomical environments and laboratory plasmas.

Communication: On the first ionization threshold of the C2H radical

The slow photoelectron spectrum of the ethynyl radical has been recorded for the first time by using the DESIRS beamline of the SOLEIL synchrotron facility. Ethynyl was generated using a microwave discharge flow tube. The observation of the X⁺Π3←XΣ+2 transition allowed the first direct measurement of the adiabatic ionization threshold of this radical (E_I = 11.641(5) eV). The experimental results are supported by ab initio calculations. Our preliminary investigation of the cationic ground state potential energy surfaces predicts a non-negligible Renner-Teller effect which has not been discussed previously.

Step Towards Modeling the Atmosphere of Titan: State-Selected Reactions of O+ with Methane

Methane conversion and in particular the formation of the C-O bond is one of fundamental entries to organic chemistry and it appears to be essential for understanding parts of atmospheric chemistry of Titan, but, in broader terms it might be also relevant for Earth-like exoplanets. Theoretical study of the reactions of methane with atomic oxygen ion in its excited electronic states requires treating simultaneously at least 19 electronic states. Development of a computational strategy that would allow chemically reasonable and computationally feasible treatment of the CH4 (X)/O+ (2D, 2P) system is by far not trivial and it requires careful examination of all the complex features of the corresponding 19 potential energy surfaces. Before entering the discussion of the rich (photo) chemistry, inspection of the long range behavior of the system with focus on electric dipole transition moments is required. Our calculations show nonzero probability for the reactants to decay before entering the multiple avoided crossings region of the [CH4 + O → products]+ reaction. For the CH4/O+ (2P) system non-zero transition moment probabilities occur over the entire range of considered C-O distances (up to 15 Å), while for the CH4/O+ (2D) system these probabilities are lower by one order of magnitude and were found only at C-O distances smaller than 6 Å.

Is the Reaction of C3N(-) with C2H2 a Possible Process for Chain Elongation in Titan's Ionosphere?

The reaction of C3N(-) with acetylene was studied using three different experimental setups, a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (Trento), a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer (Prague), and the "CERISES" guided ion beam apparatus at Orsay. The process is of astrophysical interest because it can function as a chain elongation mechanism to produce larger anions that have been detected in Titan's ionosphere by the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer. Three major products of primary processes, C2H(-), CN(-), and C5N(-), have been identified, whereby the production of the cyanide anion is probably partly due to collisional induced dissociation. The formations of all these products show considerable reaction thresholds and also display comparatively small cross sections. Also, no strong signals of anionic products for collision energies lower than 1 eV have been observed. Ab initio calculations have been performed to identify possible pathways leading to the observed products of the title reaction and to elucidate the thermodynamics of these processes. Although the productions of CN(-) and C5N(-) are exoergic, all reaction pathways have considerable barriers. Overall, the results of these computations are in agreement with the observed reaction thresholds. Due to the existence of considerable reaction energy barriers and the small observed cross sections, the title reaction is not very likely to play a major role in the buildup of large anions in cold environments like the interstellar medium or planetary and satellite ionospheres.

Selective Generation of the Radical Cation Isomers [CH3CN](•+) and [CH2CNH](•+) via VUV Photoionization of Different Neutral Precursors and Their Reactivity with C2H4

Experimental and theoretical studies have been carried out to demonstrate the selective generation of two different C2H3N(+) isomers, namely, the acetonitrile [CH3CN](•+) and the ketenimine [CH2CNH](•+) radical cations. Photoionization and dissociative photoionization experiments from different neutral precursors (acetonitrile and butanenitrile) have been performed using vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) synchrotron radiation in the 10-15 eV energy range, delivered by the DESIRS beamline at the SOLEIL storage ring. For butanenitrile (CH3CH2CH2CN) an experimental ionization threshold of 11.29 ± 0.05 eV is obtained, whereas the appearance energy for the formation of [CH2CNH](•+) fragments is 11.52 ± 0.05 eV. Experimental findings are fully supported by theoretical calculations at the G4 level of theory (ZPVE corrected energies at 0 K), giving a value of 11.33 eV for the adiabatic ionization energy of butanenitrile and an exothermicity of 0.49 for fragmentation into [CH2CNH](•+) plus C2H4, hampered by an energy barrier of 0.29 eV. The energy difference between [CH3CN](•+) and [CH2CNH](•+) is 2.28 eV (with the latter being the lowest energy isomer), and the isomerization barrier is 0.84 eV. Reactive monitoring experiments of the [CH3CN](•+) and [CH2CNH](•+) isomers with C2H4 have been performed using the CERISES guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer and exploiting the selectivity of ethylene that gives exothermic charge exchange and proton transfer reactions with [CH3CN](•+) but not with [CH2CNH](•+) isomers. In addition, minor reactive channels are observed leading to the formation of new C-C bonds upon reaction of [CH3CN](•+) with C2H4, and their astrochemical implications are briefly discussed.

Assignment of high-lying bending mode levels in the threshold photoelectron spectrum of NH2: a comparison between pyrolysis and fluorine-atom abstraction radical sources

The bending mode progression in the photoelectron spectrum of NH₂ was observed and assigned up to υ₂⁺ ≤ 5 and K_a⁺ ≤ 3.