C<i>_m</i>H<i>_n</i>⁺ Reactions with H and H₂: An Experimental Study

Abstract

We report measurements of the reactions of a number of hydrocarbon ions with atomic and molecular hydrogen made using a selected ion flow tube (SIFT) operating at room temperature. Results, including branching ratios and rate coefficients, are reported for CmHn+ ions (m = 2−6, n = 0−9). Highly unsaturated hydrocarbon ions undergo mainly H atom abstraction reactions with H2 forming CmHn+1+ + H products. More saturated ions are unreactive. Two types of reactions occur for H atoms: H atom transfer to give CmHn-1+ + H2 (if exothermic) and association (to give CmHn+1+).