A crossed molecular beams study of the reaction of dicarbon molecules with benzene

Crossed molecular beams experiments of dicarbon molecules, C2(X1Σg+/a3Πu) with benzene, C6H6(X1A1g), showed the formation of the phenylethynyl radical (C6H5CC; X2A′) plus atomic hydrogen. The identification of the phenylethynyl radical presents important evidence that this molecule can be formed also in circumstellar envelopes of carbon stars and in combustion flames.