Ion–molecule reactions of C2H3Cl+ with propane or n-butane have been studied using a photoionization mass spectrometer over the pressure range 0.01–1 Torr. The principal reasons for disappearance of the C2H3Cl+ ion in propane and n-butane are the H−, H2− transfer processes and charge transfer in the case of n-C4H10. The ions CnH2n+1+ and CnH2n+ formed in these transfers react preferentially with neutral vinyl chloride in condensation reactions with elimination of HCl or Cl•. Keywords: ion–molecule reactions, mass spectrometry, vinyl chloride, propane, n-butane. [Journal translation]