In this contribution we report experimental results obtained by the crossed molecular beam technique with mass spectrometric detection on several neutral-neutral gas-phase reactions of relevance in astrochemistry. More specifically, we provide experimental evidence that the reactions of electronically excited state nitrogen atoms, N(2D), with several hydrocarbons observed in the atmosphere of Titan can generate molecular products containing a novel CN bond, thus suggesting possible routes towards the production of gas-phase nitriles in that environment. We also report on the reaction between C(3P) and acetylene, an important neutral-neutral reaction in the chemistry of interstellar clouds. The branching ratio between the cyclic and linear C3H isomers has been derived for a collision energy of 3.5 kJ mol-1. Further evidence of the occurrence of the C3 formation channel is given. Finally we report on recent studies of reactions involving two open shell species, namely O+CH3 and O+C3H5. Products other than those already considered in the modeling of planetary atmospheres and interstellar medium have been identified.
Neutral-Neutral Gas-Phase Reactions In Extraterrestrial Environments: Laboratory Investigations By Crossed Molecular Beams
BALUCANI, Nadia;CASAVECCHIA, Piergiorgio
2006
Abstract
In this contribution we report experimental results obtained by the crossed molecular beam technique with mass spectrometric detection on several neutral-neutral gas-phase reactions of relevance in astrochemistry. More specifically, we provide experimental evidence that the reactions of electronically excited state nitrogen atoms, N(2D), with several hydrocarbons observed in the atmosphere of Titan can generate molecular products containing a novel CN bond, thus suggesting possible routes towards the production of gas-phase nitriles in that environment. We also report on the reaction between C(3P) and acetylene, an important neutral-neutral reaction in the chemistry of interstellar clouds. The branching ratio between the cyclic and linear C3H isomers has been derived for a collision energy of 3.5 kJ mol-1. Further evidence of the occurrence of the C3 formation channel is given. Finally we report on recent studies of reactions involving two open shell species, namely O+CH3 and O+C3H5. Products other than those already considered in the modeling of planetary atmospheres and interstellar medium have been identified.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
