Chemical Pathways for Deuterium Fractionation in Interstellar Molecules
Abstract
The formation of deuterated interstellar molecules is considered. This contribution (which, in the summarizing remarks of the conference, was admonished for being itself admonitory) has a simple purpose - to apply gas-phase ion chemistry to distinguish deuterium exchange reactions that can occur from those that cannot. Thus the exoergic reaction HCO(+) + D yield DCO(+) + H is facile whereas the exoergic reaction HCO(+) + HD - x yield DCO(+) + H2 is not. Forbidden pathways involve energy barriers that can result from both reactants showing filled valence electron shells. A procedure is outlined for identifying such. Keywords: Ion molecule reactions, Hydrogen atom exchange, Proton transfer, Isotope exchange, Astrochemistry, Reprints.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA197872
Entities
People
- David R. Smith
- John F. Paulson
- Michael Henchman
- Nigel Adams
- W. Lindinger
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory