Polyatomic metal-containing molecules are observed in the outer layers of the circumstellar envelopes surrounding evolved stars. In the cold outer layers in IRC+10216, MgC3N and MgC4N are recently detected by Cernicharo and co-workers. The formation of these organometallic molecules is thought to occur through radiative association reactions of Mg+ ions with neutral cyanopolyynes, followed by dissociative recombination. Experimental investigation of the kinetic rates of such reactions is highly desired in the astrochemistry community. We present our progress toward the development of a controllable source of Mg+ for use in radiative association kinetics measurements. Magnesium ions are generated in a glow-discharge ion source, mass selected, and trapped in a multipole ion trap. Reaction kinetics are monitored in real time by mass spectrometry. Our future plans for incorporating buffer-gas cooling in the ion trap, as well as injection of the buffer-gas-cooled cyanopolyyne co-reactant are also discussed.

It’s a Trap! - Development of an ion source of Mg+ for organometallic astrochemistry studies

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ACS Fall 2022

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