Low-temperature branching ratios for the reaction of state-prepared N2(+) with acetonitrile

In this work, the primary product branching ratio (BR) for the reaction of state-prepared nitrogen cation (N(2)(+)) with acetonitrile (CH(3)CN), a possible minor constituent of Titan's upper atmosphere, is reported. The ion-molecule reaction occurs in the collision region of the supersonic nozzle expansion that is characterized by a rotational temperature of 45 ± 5 K. A BR of 0.86 ± 0.01/0.14 ± 0.01 is obtained for the formation CH(2)CN(+) and the CH(3)CN(+) product ions, respectively. The reported BR overwhelmingly favors the formation of CH(2)CN(+) product channel and is consistent with a simple capture process that is accompanied by a nonresonant dissociative charge transfer reaction. The BRs are independent of the N(2) rotational levels excited. Apart from providing insights onto the dynamics of the title ion-molecule reaction, the reported BR represents the most accurate available low-temperature experimental measurement for the reaction useful to aid in the accurate modeling of Titan's nitrile chemistry.