Combined crossed molecular beams and abinitio investigation of the formation of carbon-bearing molecules in the interstellar medium via neutral–neutral reactions
Abstract
The crossed molecular beams reaction of atomic carbon C(3Pj) with hydrogen sulfide, H2S, allene, H2CCCH2, the vinyl radical, C2H3, and deuteroacetylene, C2HD, have been studied at different collision energies up to 42.2 kJ mol-1 and combined with high level abinitio calculations. All reactions are barrier-less and are dominated by a carbon–hydrogen exchange to form thioformyl (HCS), butatrienyl (HCCCCH2), C3H2 isomer(s), and deuteriated tricarbon hydride(s). This carbon–hydrogen replacement channel represents a one-step alternative reaction pathway to competing ion–molecule reactions to form complex, carbon-bearing molecules in the interstellar medium as well as in the outflow of carbon stars.