Assembly of HCN hydrogen bonding chains in the gas phase. Binding energies and structures of phenylacetylene+(HCN)n clusters, n = 1-4

► Ionic hydrogen bonding interactions between phenylacetylene radical cation and multiple HCN molecules. ► Binding energies of four HCN molecules to the phenylacetylene radical cation (10.5-7.2 kcal/mol). ► Assembly of linear chains of hydrogen-bonded HCN molecules attached to the phenylacetylene radical cation.