Analysis of products from a C2H2/N2 microwave discharge: New nitrile species

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0009-2614(99)00999-9

The production of gaseous hydrocarbons, nitriles, amines, and hydrazines in a continuous-flow microwave plasma discharge excited in a 20% C₂H₂+80% N₂ mixture at a pressure of 20 Torr is reported. The product analysis was made by Li⁺ ion attachment mass spectrometry. A variety of N-containing organics (identified as HC_nN (n=1-7), NC(CC)_nCN (n=0-2), NC(CH₂)_nCN (n=0-6), C_nH_2n-1NH₂ (n=0-6), C_nH_2n+1N(H)NH₂ (n=0-5), etc.) were formed and these were tentatively assigned to nitriles, amines, and hydrazines. The mass-spectral analysis exhibited progressions differing by 14 mass units. Reaction schemes were proposed to explain the formation of some molecules.