Ionic reactions between H +3 and benzene, toluene and xylenes

Abstract

Reactions between H⁺₃ and simpler members of the aromatic series were investigated by high-pressure mass spectrometry and the rate constants of reactions were measured. Proton transfer appears to be the principal mode of reaction. The protonated species are formed in excited states and, if not stabilized by collision, decompose to fragment ions. No reshuffling between the incoming proton and the hydrogens of the aromatic molecule is observed in isotopic experiments, thus suggesting that the incoming proton is loosely bound to the aromatic ring.