Temperature dependences for the reactions of Ar+, O2+, and C7H7+ with toluene and ethylbenzene

- Ar+ and O2+ react with alkylbenzenes near the collision rate, with little T-dependence.
- C7H7+ is the primary product, which we find exists mainly as the benzylium isomer.
- The benzylium isomer reacts through clustering, R-group transfer, and thermal activation.
- The benzylium-cluster product has a calculated bond energy of about 15 kcal mol−1.