The reaction of O- anions with molecular deuterium D2 has been studied experimentally using a cryogenic 22-pole radiofrequency ion trap. Two reaction channels were observed.
In the associative detachment D2O and an electron are formed and for atom transfer formation OD- + D was observed. The rate coefficients of the reactions have been determined at temperatures below 300 K.
The reaction rate coefficient k 1 of the associative detachment increases with decreasing temperature from k 1(300 K) = 0.5 x 10- 9 cm3 s- 1 at 300 K up to k 1(70 K) = 1.2 x 10- 9 cm3 s- 1 at 70 K both with 30 % overall uncertainty.