Gas-phase reactions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon anions with molecules of interstellar relevance

Abstract

We have studied reactions of small dehydrogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon anions with neutral species of interstellar relevance. Reaction rate constants are measured at 300K for the reactions of phenide (C 6H-5), naphthalenide (C10H -7), and anthracenide (C14H-9) with atomic H, H2, and D2 using a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube instrument. Reaction rate constants of phenide with neutral molecules (CO, O2, CO2, N2O, C2H2, CH3OH, CH3CN, (CH 3)2CO, CH3CHO, CH3Cl, and (CH 3CH2)2O) are also measured under the same conditions. Experimental measurements are accompanied by ab initio calculations to provide insight into reaction pathways and enthalpies. Our measured reaction rate constants should prove useful in the modeling of astrophysical environments, particularly when applied to dense regions of the interstellar and circumstellar medium. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.