Photochemistry of a 1 : 1 hydrogen-bonded CH sub(3)CN : HCOOH complex under astrochemically-relevant conditions

The interstellar medium is characterized by a complex chemistry, especially on the surface of ice grains in molecular clouds. In an attempt to investigate possible reactions leading to exobiologically-relevant species, laboratory experiments dealing with the formation of nitrogen- and oxygen-bearing...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP 2014-01, Vol.16 (8), p.3388-3398
Main Authors: Zins, EL, Krim, L
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astrochemistry
Grains
Interstellar matter
Mathematical analysis
Precursors
Quantum chemistry
Solid phases
Spectra
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Summary:The interstellar medium is characterized by a complex chemistry, especially on the surface of ice grains in molecular clouds. In an attempt to investigate possible reactions leading to exobiologically-relevant species, laboratory experiments dealing with the formation of nitrogen- and oxygen-bearing organic molecules from precursors that are present in the solid phase, on the surface of ice grains, are of primary importance. The aim of the present work was to investigate the formation of a non-covalent complex between CH sub(3)CN and HCOOH. For that purpose, FT-IR spectroscopy was used in combination with the rare-gas matrix technique. The experimental spectra were compared with the theoretical ones obtained with the help of quantum-chemical calculations. This combination between a theoretical and an experimental approach allowed us to propose a structure for the hydrogen-bonded complexes experimentally observed.
ISSN:1463-9076
1463-9084
DOI:10.1039/c3cp54041c