Thermal energy charge transfer reactions of acetone and biacetyl

Rate coefficients up to a factor of 2.5 times larger than the capture collision rate are reported for a series of thermal energy, positive ion-molecule reactions of acetone and biacetyl. These rapid rates are interpreted in tems of a dissociative charge transfer process in which an electron is transferred in a non-spiralling collision from outside the classical capture limit. The factor which lead to this type of mechanism are discussed briefly.