Ion-molecule condensation reactions: a mechanism for organic synthesis in ionized reducing atmospheres.

The CH3+ ion, formed in ionized methane, undergoes consecutive eliminative condensation reactions with methane to form the carbonium ions C2H5+, i-C3H7+ and t-C4H9+. At T smaller than 500 degrees K, NCH4 greater than 10(16) cm-3 these ions react with NH3 in competitive condensation -- H+ transfer reactions, e.g. C2H5 + NH3 M leads to C2H5NH3+ leads to NH4+ + C2H4 At particle densities of NCH4 smaller than 10(16) cm-3 proton transfer is the only significant reaction channel. At NCH4 greater than 10(17) cm-3 condensation constitutes 5--20% of the overall reactions. The product of the condensation reaction further associates with CO2 to form C2H5NH3+ . CO2; the atomic composition of this cluster ion is identical with the protonated amino acid alanine. The carbonium ions i-C3H7+ and t-C4H9+ condense also with HCN to yield protonated isocyanides. HCNH% also appears to condense with HCN at T greater than 570 degrees K, and form cluster ions with HCN at lower temperatures. The rate constants of the condensation reactions vary with temperature and pressure in a complex manner. Under conditions similar to those on Titan at an altitude of 100 km (T = 100--150 degrees K, NCH4 approximately 10(18) cm-3), with a methane atmosphere containing 1% H2 and traces of NH3 and H2O, ion-molecule condensation reactions followed by H+ transfer are expected to lead to the atmospheric synthesis of C2H6, C3H8, CH3OH, C2H5OH and the terminal ions NH4+, CH3NH3+ and C2H5NH3+. At higher temperatures (250 degrees K smaller than T smaller than 400 degrees K), the synthesis of i-C4H10, i-C3H7OH and t-C4H9OH and of the ions i-C3H7NH3+ and t-C4H9NH3+ is also expected. Electron recombination of the terminal ions may yield amines, imines and nitriles. Cycles of protonation and dissociative recombination of the alkanes and alcohols produced in condensation reactions will also produce unsaturated hydrocarbons, ketones and aldehydes in the ionized atmosphere.