The rate of the reaction between C2H and C2H2 at interstellar temperatures

Eric Herbst, David E. Woon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The reaction between the radical C2H and the stable hydrocarbon C2H2 is one of the simplest neutral-neutral hydrocarbon reactions in chemical models of dense interstellar clouds and carbon-rich circumstellar shells. Although known to be rapid at temperatures ≥ 300 K, the reaction has yet to be studied at lower temperatures. We present here ab initio calculations of the potential surface for this reaction and dynamical calculations to determine its rate at low temperature. Despite a small potential barrier in the exit channel, the calculated rate is large, showing that this reaction and, most probably, more complex analogs contribute to the formation of complex organic molecules in low-temperature sources.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)109-112
Number of pages4
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume489
Issue number1 PART I
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • ISM: abundances
  • ISM: clouds
  • ISM: molecules
  • Molecular processes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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