CmHn+ reactions with atomic and molecular nitrogen: An experimental study

The reactions of a series of CmHn+ ions (m = 1-6; n = 0-6) with atomic and molecular nitrogen have been investigated using a selected ion flow tube (S IFT) operating at room temperature. Rate coefficients and product distribut ions are reported for the reactions studied. The hydrocarbon cations examin ed in this work are largely unreactive with molecular nitrogen (association is found in just three cases), whereas multiple product channels are obser ved in reactions between CmHn+ ions and N atoms. For m < 3, some N atom inc orporation into the hydrocarbon ion occurs. For m > 3, the N atom is usuall y incorporated into the neutral leaving group (HCN).