C[sbnd]N bond formation in the reaction of nitrogen ions N+ with benzene molecules

Abstract

We have investigated the ring-opening reaction of N+(3P) ions with benzene in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer under single collision conditions. Our attention is focussed on the mechanisms by which CN bonds are formed. 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 title ion molecule reaction represents a potential route to form cyano molecules from aromatic hydrocarbons, and thus may be relevant for the production of molecules of biological interest in the interstellar space.