C-N bond formation in the reaction of nitrogen ions N+ with benzene molecules

We have investigated the ring-opening reaction of N+(P-3) ions with benzene in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer under single collision condi tions. Our attention is focussed on the mechanisms by which C-N bonds are f ormed. We have measured the kinetic energy dependence of the integral cross -section for the reaction channels leading to the formation of H2CN+, H2C2N +, H2C3N+, H3C4N+, HC5N+ and H2C5N+. The present work indicates that the ti tle ion molecule reaction represents a potential route to form cyano molecu les from aromatic hydrocarbons, and thus may be relevant for the production of molecules of biological interest in the interstellar space. (C) 2001 El sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.