Gas-phase ion chemistry is a broad field which has many applications and which
encompasses various branches of chemistry and physics. An application that draws
together many of these branches is the synthesis of molecules in interstellar clouds
(Herbst). This was part of the motivation for studies on the neutralization of ions
by electrons (Johnsen and Mitchell) and on isomerization in ion-neutral associations
(Adams and Fisher). The results of investigations of particular aspects of ion
dynamics are presented in these association studies, in studies of the intermediates
of binary ion-molecule SN2 reactions (Hase, Wang, and Peslherbe), and in those
of excited states of ions and their associated neutrals (Richard, Lu, Walker, and
Weisshaar). Solvation in ion-molecule reactions is discussed (Castleman) and
extended to include multiply charged ions by the application of electrospray
techniques (Klassen, Ho, Blades, and Kebarle). These studies also provide a wealth
of information on reaction thermodynamics which is critical in determining reaction
spontaneity and availability of reaction channels. More focused studies relating
to the ionization process and its nature are presented in the final chapter (Harland
and Vallance).