Endothermic ion-molecule reactions in silane

Endothermic ion-molecule reactions in silane are reported together with rate constants for the observed reactions. Si2+ is observed only from endothermic reactions of Si+ and SiH2+ with silane. Endothermic as well as exothermic channels are observed for the formation of Si2H+, Si2H2+, and Si2H3+. The kinetic energy dependence of reactions yielding Si2H+, Si2H2+, Si2H3+, and Si2H4+ products is reported and analyzed in terms of the mechanism and kinematics of fragmentation for the excited intermediate ion.