Experimental, theoretical, and astrochemical modelling investigation of the gas-phase reaction between the amidogen radical (NH) and acetaldehyde (CHCHO) at low temperatures.

The first experimental study of the low-temperature kinetics of the gas-phase reaction of NH with acetaldehyde (CHCHO) has been performed. Experiments were carried out using laser-flash photolysis and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy to create and monitor the temporal decay of NH in the presence of CHCHO. Low temperatures relevant to the interstellar medium were achieved using a pulsed Laval nozzle expansion.

Experimental and theoretical study of the low-temperature kinetics of the reaction of CN with CHO and implications for interstellar environments.

Rate coefficients for the reaction of CN with CHO were measured for the first time below room temperature in the range 32-103 K using a pulsed Laval nozzle apparatus together with the Pulsed Laser Photolysis-Laser-Induced Fluorescence technique. The rate coefficients exhibited a strong negative temperature dependence, reaching (4.62 ± 0.