Chemi-ionization

Chemi-ionization is the formation of an ion through the reaction of a gas phase atom or molecule with another atom or molecule when the collision energy is below the energy required to ionize the reagents. The reaction may involve a reagent in an excited state or may result in the formation of a new chemical bond. Chemi-ionization can proceed through the Penning, associative, dissociative or rearrangement ionization reactions. Includes reactions that produce a free electron or a pair of ions (positive and negative).

This process is helpful in mass spectrometry because it creates unique bands that can be used to identify molecules. This process is extremely common in nature as it is considered the primary initial reaction in flames.

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