Strong inverse kinetic isotope effect observed in ammonia charge exchange reactions

Abstract

Inverse kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) are rarely observed. Here, the authors report an inverse KIE in the charge transfer reaction of $${{\rm{Xe}}}^{+}$$ Xe+ with ammonia. $${{\rm{ND}}}_{3}$$ ND3 reacts more than 3 times faster than $${{\rm{NH}}}_{3}$$ NH3 , despite no N-H or N-D bonds being broken, with implications for our understanding of interstellar chemistry.