same reagents (Figure ) prior to any release of C2. Since generation of C2 by reactions such as these has the potential for much exploitation, it is important to try to establish not only the energetics but also the mechanisms by which the observed products might be forming. Following on from the previous energetic study (Figure ), the present article reports the results of a computational exploration of the bimolecular reaction mechanism between 2 and the trapping reagents used in the original experimental study (Figure ), including the selfreaction of 2 and further similar steps which result in polymerisation giving linear carbon chains.