For the case of interstellar space conditions, the rate of the C+ + C(n) yields C+ (n + 1) radiative association reaction is considered. The energized C (n + 1) ion's lifetime is estimated by means of the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus model of unimolecular composition and compared with the IR emission lifetime. The reaction is found to proceed efficiently with the Langevin rate for n equal to or greater than four, so that the carbon chain can grow very quickly once it reaches C(4). This may explain the observed endurance of long chain carbon molecules in interstellar space.
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Freed et al. (1982) studied this question.