Physical Chemistry

Recently, we have discovered that gaseous dications can undergo a series of bond-forming reactions which are of potential relevance for the formation of complex compounds in interstellar environments as well as the higher atmospheres of planets and moons. The planned studies will focus on the reactions of gaseous hydrocarbon dications with various substrates to explore the scope of these new reactions. To this end, isotope labeling, mass spectrometry, kinetic modeling, and theoretical chemistry will be applied.