Dissociative electron attachment to NaCN

Abstract Dissociative electron attachment to NaCN is investigated theoretically by combining electron scattering calculations, structure calculations and wave packet dynamics. Non-adiabatic couplings between resonant states and electronically bound states of NaCN $$^-$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mmultiscripts> <mml:mrow/> <mml:mrow/> <mml:mo>-</mml:mo> </mml:mmultiscripts> </mml:math> are considered. The calculated cross section has a threshold of 0.68 eV. Due to the very narrow autoionization widths of the electronic resonant states, the magnitude of the cross section is very low. Hence, dissociative electron attachment is not a pathway for forming CN $$^-$$ <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"> <mml:mmultiscripts> <mml:mrow/> <mml:mrow/> <mml:mo>-</mml:mo> </mml:mmultiscripts> </mml:math> in interstellar space. Graphical abstract