Ion-molecule reactions in uranium hexafluoride

Abstract

The ion-molecule reactions of UF₆ in the gas phase were studied in a mass spectrometer fitted with a medium-pressure ion source. The main reactions were the collision-stabilized formation of U₂F₁₁⁺ from UF₅⁺, U₂F₁₀⁺ from UF₄⁺ and U₃F₁₆⁺ from U₂F₁₀⁺. Rate coefficients for the reactions of UF₅⁺ and UF₄⁺ with UF₆ and the distribution of their products were found to depend upon the ion kinetic energy.