We report the first experimental study of the intrinsic chemistry of a U-methylidyne species, focusing on reaction of [OUCH]+ with H2O, O2 and CH3C![[triple bond, length as m-dash]](http://www.rsc.org/images/entities/char_e002.gif)
N in the gas phase. DFT was also used to determine reaction pathways, and establish the mechanism by which [OUCH]+ is formed through collision-induced dissociation of [UO2(CCH)]+.
![Graphical abstract: Intrinsic chemistry of [OUCH]+: reactions with H2O, CH3C [[triple bond, length as m-dash]] N and O2](http://hg.y866.cn/compound/lib/scimg/usr/1/D1CP00177A.jpg)
