Mechanism of thermal energy charge transfer reactions: + N 2. Analysis of isotopic data

Abstract

The ▪ + N 2 charge transfer reaction has been studied in an ICR spectrometer using both 14N 2 and 15N 2. The N +/N 2 + branching ratio was measured from the zero collision limit (ca. 1 × 10 −5 torr total pressure) to collisional saturation (ca. 1 × 10 −3 torr total pressure) for He/N 2 ratios of 5, 10, 50 and 100. The data were analyzed by solving exactly the kinetic equations and the associated power absorption equations. A positive pressure dependence in the N +/N 2 + branching ratio was observed indicating some N + is formed from collisional dissociation of excited ▪ ions. Comparison is made with recently published data from other groups and previously published data from this laboratory.