A theory has been developed recently which predicts that the rate coefficients, k, for the reactions of ions with polar molecules at low temperatures will be much greater than the canonical value of 10 to the -9th cu cm/s. The new theory indicates that k is greatest for low-lying rotational states and increases rapidly with decreasing temperature. Recent laboratory measurements which validate the theory, are examined, calculated values of k for the reactions of H3(+) ions with several polar molecules are presented, and their significance to interstellar chemistry is discussed. For the reactions of ions with molecules having large dipole moments, it is recommended that k values as large as 10 to the -7th cu cm/s should be used in ion-chemical models of low-temperature instellar clouds.
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Adams et al. (1985) studied this question.