title: Gas-phase reactions of CF(+) with molecules of interstellar relevance.
abstract: We have studied the gas-phase reactions of CF(+) with 24 neutral species. Reaction rate constants and product branching fractions are measured at 298 K using a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube. Experimental work is supported by computational chemistry calculations to provide insight into the reactivity of classes of neutral molecules. Reactions of CF(+) with small triatomic species and oxygen-containing organic molecules produce the stable molecule CO. The product branching fractions are discussed, and the potential energy surfaces for a few representative reactions are examined. CF(+) is highly reactive with complex molecules and will likely be destroyed in dense environments in the interstellar medium. However, the lack of reactivity with small diatomic molecules will likely enable its survival in diffuse regions.
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, 215 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0215, United States.
authors.forename: Nicholas J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Demarais
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, 215 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0215, United States.
authors.forename: Zhe-Chen
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: ‡Department of Astrophysical and Planetary Sciences, University of Colorado, 391 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0391, United States.|¶Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, University of Colorado, 389 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0389, United States.
authors.forename: Theodore P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Snow
authors.affiliation: †Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Colorado, 215 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0215, United States.|¶Center for Astrophysics and Space Astronomy, University of Colorado, 389 UCB, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0389, United States.
authors.forename: Veronica M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Bierbaum