CN bond formation in the reaction of nitrogen ions N+ with benzene molecules

We have investigated the ring-opening reaction of N+(3P) ions with benzene in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer under single collision conditions. Our attention is focussed on the mechanisms by which CN bonds are formed. We have measured the kinetic energy dependence of the integral cross-section for the reaction channels leading to the formation of H2CN+, H2C2N+, H2C3N+, H3C4N+, HC5N+ and H2C5N+. The present work indicates that the title ion molecule reaction represents a potential route to form cyano molecules from aromatic hydrocarbons, and thus may be relevant for the production of molecules of biological interest in the interstellar space.