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Wang J, Marks JH, Batrakova EA, Tuchin SO, Antonov IO, Kaiser RI. Formation of methylglyoxal (CH 3C(O)CHO) in interstellar analog ices - a key intermediate in cellular metabolism. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024. [PMID: 39224052 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp02779e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Ketoaldehydes are key intermediates in biochemical processes including carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. Despite their crucial role in the interstellar synthesis of essential biomolecules necessary for the Origins of Life, their formation mechanisms have largely remained elusive. Here, we report the first bottom-up formation of methylglyoxal (CH3C(O)CHO)-the simplest ketoaldehyde-through the barrierless recombination of the formyl (HĊO) radical with the acetyl (CH3ĊO) radical in low-temperature interstellar ice analogs upon exposure to energetic irradiation as proxies of galactic cosmic rays. Utilizing vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry and isotopic substitution studies, methylglyoxal and its enol tautomer 2-hydroxypropenone (CH3C(OH)CO) were identified in the gas phase during the temperature-programmed desorption of irradiated carbon monoxide-acetaldehyde (CO-CH3CHO) ices, suggesting their potential as promising candidates for future astronomical searches. Once synthesized in cold molecular clouds, methylglyoxal can serve as a key precursor to sugars, sugar acids, and amino acids. Furthermore, this work provides the first experimental evidence for tautomerization of a ketoaldehyde in interstellar ice analogs, advancing our fundamental knowledge of how ketoaldehydes and their enol tautomers can be synthesized in deep space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Joshua H Marks
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | | | | | - Ivan O Antonov
- Samara National Research University, Samara 443086, Russia.
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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2
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Zhang C, Leyva V, Wang J, Turner AM, Mcanally M, Herath A, Meinert C, Young LA, Kaiser RI. Ionizing radiation exposure on Arrokoth shapes a sugar world. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2320215121. [PMID: 38830103 PMCID: PMC11181085 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2320215121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
The Kuiper Belt object (KBO) Arrokoth, the farthest object in the Solar System ever visited by a spacecraft, possesses a distinctive reddish surface and is characterized by pronounced spectroscopic features associated with methanol. However, the fundamental processes by which methanol ices are converted into reddish, complex organic molecules on Arrokoth's surface have remained elusive. Here, we combine laboratory simulation experiments with a spectroscopic characterization of methanol ices exposed to proxies of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). Our findings reveal that the surface exposure of methanol ices at 40 K can replicate the color slopes of Arrokoth. Sugars and their derivatives (acids, alcohols) with up to six carbon atoms, including glucose and ribose-fundamental building block of RNA-were ubiquitously identified. In addition, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) with up to six ring units (13C22H12) were also observed. These sugars and their derivatives along with PAHs connected by unsaturated linkers represent key molecules rationalizing the reddish appearance of Arrokoth. The formation of abundant sugar-related molecules dubs Arrokoth as a sugar world and provides a plausible abiotic preparation route for a key class of biorelevant molecules on the surface of KBOs prior to their delivery to prebiotic Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojiang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
| | - Vanessa Leyva
- Université Côte d’Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272 CNRS, 06108Nice, France
| | - Jia Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
| | - Andrew M. Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
| | - Mason Mcanally
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
| | - Ashanie Herath
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
| | - Cornelia Meinert
- Université Côte d’Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272 CNRS, 06108Nice, France
| | - Leslie A. Young
- Department of Space Studies, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO80302
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI96822
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3
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McAnally M, Bocková J, Herath A, Turner AM, Meinert C, Kaiser RI. Abiotic formation of alkylsulfonic acids in interstellar analog ices and implications for their detection on Ryugu. Nat Commun 2024; 15:4409. [PMID: 38782930 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-48684-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
For the last century, the source of sulfur in Earth's very first organisms has remained a fundamental, unsolved enigma. While sulfates and their organic derivatives with sulfur in the S(+VI) oxidation state represent core nutrients in contemporary biochemistry, the limited bioavailability of sulfates during Earth's early Archean period proposed that more soluble S(+IV) compounds served as the initial source of sulfur for the first terrestrial microorganisms. Here, we reveal via laboratory simulation experiments that the three simplest alkylsulfonic acids-water soluble organic S(+IV) compounds-can be efficiently produced in interstellar, sulfur-doped ices through interaction with galactic cosmic rays. This discovery opens a previously elusive path into the synthesis of vital astrobiological significance and untangles fundamental mechanisms of a facile preparation of sulfur-containing, biorelevant organics in extraterrestrial ices; these molecules can be eventually incorporated into comets and asteroids before their delivery and detection on Earth such as in the Murchison, Tagish Lake, and Allende meteorites along with the carbonaceous asteroid Ryugu.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mason McAnally
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Jana Bocková
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272 CNRS, Nice, France
| | - Ashanie Herath
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Andrew M Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Cornelia Meinert
- Université Côte d'Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272 CNRS, Nice, France.
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
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Wang J, Marks JH, Fortenberry RC, Kaiser RI. Interstellar formation of glyceric acid [HOCH 2CH(OH)COOH]-The simplest sugar acid. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl3236. [PMID: 38478624 PMCID: PMC10936953 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl3236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Glyceric acid [HOCH2CH(OH)COOH]-the simplest sugar acid-represents a key molecule in biochemical processes vital for metabolism in living organisms such as glycolysis. Although critically linked to the origins of life and identified in carbonaceous meteorites with abundances comparable to amino acids, the underlying mechanisms of its formation have remained elusive. Here, we report the very first abiotic synthesis of racemic glyceric acid via the barrierless radical-radical reaction of the hydroxycarbonyl radical (HOĊO) with 1,2-dihydroxyethyl (HOĊHCH2OH) radical in low-temperature carbon dioxide (CO2) and ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH) ices. Using isomer-selective vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry, glyceric acid was identified in the gas phase based on the adiabatic ionization energies and isotopic substitution studies. This work reveals the key reaction pathways for glyceric acid synthesis through nonequilibrium reactions from ubiquitous precursor molecules, advancing our fundamental knowledge of the formation pathways of key biorelevant organics-sugar acids-in deep space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Joshua H. Marks
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Ryan C. Fortenberry
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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5
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Wang J, Marks JH, Eckhardt AK, Kaiser RI. Bottom-Up Formation of Antiaromatic Cyclobutadiene ( c-C 4H 4) in Interstellar Ice Analogs. J Phys Chem Lett 2024; 15:1211-1217. [PMID: 38272465 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c03524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Antiaromatic cyclobutadiene (c-C4H4) is the simplest prototype of [n]annulenes and a key reactive intermediate with significant ring strain, serving as the model compound for antiaromatic systems in organic chemistry. Here, we report the first bottom-up formation of cyclobutadiene in low-temperature acetylene (C2H2) ices exposed to energetic electrons. Cyclobutadiene was isolated and detected in the gas phase upon sublimation utilizing vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry along with ultraviolet photolysis studies. These findings advance our fundamental understanding of the exotic chemistry and preparation of highly strained antiaromatic cycles through non-equilibrium chemistry in interstellar environments, thus affording a possible route for the formation of highly strained molecules such as the hitherto elusive tetrahedrane (C4H4). Because acetylene is a major product of the photolysis and radiolysis of methane (CH4) ice, an abundant component of interstellar ices, our results suggest that cyclobutadiene can likely be formed in methane-rich ices of cold molecular clouds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Joshua H Marks
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - André K Eckhardt
- Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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6
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Lu B, Zeng X. Phosphinidenes: Fundamental Properties and Reactivity. Chemistry 2023:e202303283. [PMID: 38108540 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Phosphinidenes are heavy congeners of nitrenes that have been broadly used as in situ reagents in synthetic phosphorus chemistry and also serve as versatile ligands in coordination with transition metals. However, the detection of free phosphinidenes is largely challenged by their high reactivity and also the lack of suitable synthetic methods, rendering the knowledge about the fundamental properties of this class of low-valent phosphorus compounds limited. Recently, an increasing number of free phosphinidenes bearing prototype structural and bonding properties have been prepared for the first time, thus enabling the exploration of their distinct reactivity from the nitrene analogues. This Concept article will discuss the experimental approaches for the generation of the highly unstable phosphinidenes and highlight their distinct reactivity from the nitrogen analogues so as to stimuate future studies about their potential applications in phosphorus chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Lu
- Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zeng
- Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China
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7
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Zhang C, Zhu C, Turner AM, Antonov IO, Garcia AD, Meinert C, Young LA, Jewitt DC, Kaiser RI. Processing of methane and acetylene ices by galactic cosmic rays and implications to the color diversity of Kuiper Belt objects. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg6936. [PMID: 37256949 PMCID: PMC10413643 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg6936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Kuiper Belt objects exhibit a wider color range than any other solar system population. The origin of this color diversity is unknown, but likely the result of the prolonged irradiation of organic materials by galactic cosmic rays (GCRs). Here, we combine ultrahigh-vacuum irradiation experiments with comprehensive spectroscopic analyses to examine the color evolution during GCR processing methane and acetylene under Kuiper Belt conditions. This study replicates the colors of a population of Kuiper Belt objects such as Makemake, Orcus, and Salacia. Aromatic structural units carrying up to three rings as in phenanthrene (C14H10), phenalene (C9H10), and acenaphthylene (C12H8), of which some carry structural motives of DNA and RNA connected via unsaturated linkers, were found to play a key role in producing the reddish colors. These studies demonstrate the level of molecular complexity synthesized of GCR processing hydrocarbon and hint at the role played by irradiated ice in the early production of biological precursor molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojiang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Andrew M. Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Ivan O. Antonov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Adrien D. Garcia
- Université Côte d’Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272 CNRS, Nice 06108, France
| | - Cornelia Meinert
- Université Côte d’Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272 CNRS, Nice 06108, France
| | - Leslie A. Young
- Department of Space Studies, Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
| | - David C. Jewitt
- Department of Earth and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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8
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Turner AM, Marks JH, Luo Y, Lechner JT, Klapötke TM, Sun R, Kaiser RI. Electron-Induced Decomposition of Solid 1,1-Diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene (FOX-7) at Cryogenic Temperatures. J Phys Chem A 2023; 127:3390-3401. [PMID: 37027514 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.3c01035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Solid FOX-7 (1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene), an energetic material of interest due to its high stability and low shock/thermal sensitivity, was exposed to energetic electrons at 5 K to explore the fundamental mechanisms leading to decomposition products and provide a better understanding of the reaction pathways involved. As a result of the radiation exposure, infrared spectroscopy revealed carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbon monoxide (CO) trapped in the FOX-7 matrix, while these compounds along with water (H2O), nitrogen monoxide (NO), and cyanogen (C2N2) were detected exploiting quadrupole mass spectrometry both during irradiation and during the warming phase from 5 to 300 K. Photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry detected small molecules such as ammonia (NH3), nitrogen monoxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) as well as more complex molecules up to 96 amu. Potential reaction pathways are presented and assignments are discussed. Among the reaction mechanisms, the importance of an initial nitro-to-nitrite isomerization is highlighted by the observed decomposition products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Joshua H Marks
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Yuheng Luo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Jasmin T Lechner
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, München 81377, Germany
| | - Thomas M Klapötke
- Department of Chemistry, Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, München 81377, Germany
| | - Rui Sun
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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Wang J, Marks JH, Turner AM, Mebel AM, Eckhardt AK, Kaiser RI. Gas-phase detection of oxirene. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg1134. [PMID: 36897943 PMCID: PMC10005165 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg1134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Oxirenes-highly strained 4π Hückel antiaromatic organics-have been recognized as key reactive intermediates in the Wolff rearrangement and in interstellar environments. Predicting short lifetimes and tendency toward ring opening, oxirenes are one of the most mysterious classes of organic transients, with the isolation of oxirene (c-C2H2O) having remained elusive. Here, we report on the preparation of oxirene in low-temperature methanol-acetaldehyde matrices upon energetic processing through isomerization of ketene (H2CCO) followed by resonant energy transfer of the internal energy of oxirene to the vibrational modes (hydroxyl stretching and bending, methyl deformation) of methanol. Oxirene was detected upon sublimation in the gas phase exploiting soft photoionization coupled with a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry. These findings advance our fundamental understanding of the chemical bonding and stability of cyclic, strained molecules and afford a versatile strategy for the synthesis of highly ring-strained transients in extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Joshua H. Marks
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Andrew M. Turner
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Alexander M. Mebel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - André K. Eckhardt
- Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum 44801, Germany
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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10
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Wang J, Marks JH, Turner AM, Nikolayev AA, Azyazov V, Mebel AM, Kaiser RI. Mechanistical study on the formation of hydroxyacetone (CH 3COCH 2OH), methyl acetate (CH 3COOCH 3), and 3-hydroxypropanal (HCOCH 2CH 2OH) along with their enol tautomers (prop-1-ene-1,2-diol (CH 3C(OH)CHOH), prop-2-ene-1,2-diol (CH 2C(OH)CH 2OH), 1-methoxyethen-1-ol (CH 3OC(OH)CH 2) and prop-1-ene-1,3-diol (HOCH 2CHCHOH)) in interstellar ice analogs. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2023; 25:936-953. [PMID: 36285574 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp03543j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
We unravel, for the very first time, the formation pathways of hydroxyacetone (CH3COCH2OH), methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3), and 3-hydroxypropanal (HCOCH2CH2OH), as well as their enol tautomers within mixed ices of methanol (CH3OH) and acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) analogous to interstellar ices in the ISM exposed to ionizing radiation at ultralow temperatures of 5 K. Exploiting photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReToF-MS) and isotopically labeled ices, the reaction products were selectively photoionized allowing for isomer discrimination during the temperature-programmed desorption phase. Based on the distinct mass-to-charge ratios and ionization energies of the identified species, we reveal the formation pathways of hydroxyacetone (CH3COCH2OH), methyl acetate (CH3COOCH3), and 3-hydroxypropanal (HCOCH2CH2OH) via radical-radical recombination reactions and of their enol tautomers (prop-1-ene-1,2-diol (CH3C(OH)CHOH), prop-2-ene-1,2-diol (CH2C(OH)CH2OH), 1-methoxyethen-1-ol (CH3OC(OH)CH2) and prop-1-ene-1,3-diol (HOCH2CHCHOH)) via keto-enol tautomerization. To the best of our knowledge, 1-methoxyethen-1-ol (CH3OC(OH)CH2) and prop-1-ene-1,3-diol (HOCH2CHCHOH) are experimentally identified for the first time. Our findings help to constrain the formation mechanism of hydroxyacetone and methyl acetate detected within star-forming regions and suggest that the hitherto astronomically unobserved isomer 3-hydroxypropanal and its enol tautomers represent promising candidates for future astronomical searches. These enol tautomers may contribute to the molecular synthesis of biologically relevant molecules in deep space due to their nucleophilic character and high reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Joshua H Marks
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Andrew M Turner
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Anatoliy A Nikolayev
- Lebedev Physical Institute, Samara 443011, Russia.,Samara National Research University, Samara 443086, Russia
| | | | - Alexander M Mebel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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11
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Wang J, Marks JH, Tuli LB, Mebel AM, Azyazov VN, Kaiser RI. Formation of Thioformic Acid (HCOSH)─The Simplest Thioacid─in Interstellar Ice Analogues. J Phys Chem A 2022; 126:9699-9708. [PMID: 36534075 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c06860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Since the observation of the first sulfur-containing molecule, carbon monosulfide (CS), in the interstellar medium (ISM) half a century ago, sulfur-bearing species have attracted great attention from the astrochemistry, astrobiology, and planetary geology communities. Nevertheless, it is still not clear in which forms most of the sulfur resides in molecular clouds, an unsolved problem referred to as "sulfur depletion". Reported herein is the formation of thioformic acid (HCOSH)─the simplest thioacid─in interstellar ice analogues containing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at 5 K. Utilizing single photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry and isotopically labeled molecules, thioformic acid molecules were selectively photoionized in the temperature-programmed desorption phase. These studies unravel a key reaction pathway to thioformic acid, an organic molecule recently detected toward the giant molecular cloud G+0.693-0.027 and the hot core G31.41+0.31, thus shedding light on interstellar sulfur chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Wang
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Joshua H Marks
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Lotefa B Tuli
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Alexander M Mebel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | | | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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12
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Preparation of methanediamine (CH 2(NH 2) 2)-A precursor to nucleobases in the interstellar medium. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2217329119. [PMID: 36508671 PMCID: PMC9907108 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217329119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Although methanediamine (CH2(NH2)2) has historically been the subject of theoretical scrutiny, it has never been isolated to date. Here, we report the preparation of methanediamine (CH2(NH2)2)-the simplest diamine. Low-temperature interstellar analog ices composed of ammonia and methylamine were exposed to energetic electrons which act as proxies for secondary electrons produced in the track of galactic cosmic rays. These experimental conditions, which simulate the conditions within cold molecular clouds, result in radical formation and initiate aminomethyl (ĊH2NH2) and amino ([Formula: see text]2) radical chemistry. Exploiting tunable photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReToF-MS) to make isomer-specific assignments, methanediamine was identified in the gas phase upon sublimation, while its isomer methylhydrazine (CH3NHNH2) was not observed. The molecular formula was confirmed to be CH6N2 through the use of isotopically labeled reactants. Methanediamine is the simplest molecule to contain the NCN moiety and could be a vital intermediate in the abiotic formation of heterocyclic and aromatic systems such as nucleobases, which all contain the NCN moiety.
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13
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Zhu C, Wang H, Medvedkov I, Marks J, Xu M, Yang J, Yang T, Pan Y, Kaiser RI. Exploitation of Synchrotron Radiation Photoionization Mass Spectrometry in the Analysis of Complex Organics in Interstellar Model Ices. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:6875-6882. [PMID: 35861849 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Unravelling the generation of complex organic molecules (COMs) on interstellar nanoparticles (grains) is essential in establishing predictive astrochemical reaction networks and recognizing evolution stages of molecular clouds and star-forming regions. The formation of COMs has been associated with the irradiation of interstellar ices by ultraviolet photons and galactic cosmic rays. Herein, we pioneer the first incorporation of synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SVUV-PI-ReTOF-MS) in laboratory astrophysics simulation experiments to afford an isomer-selective identification of key COMs (ketene (H2C═CO); acetaldehyde (CH3CHO); vinyl alcohol (H2C═CHOH)) based on photoionization efficiency (PIE) curves of molecules desorbing from exposed carbon monoxide-methane (CO-CH4) ices. Our results demonstrate that the SVUV-PI-ReTOF-MS approach represents a versatile, rapid methodology for a comprehensive identification and explicit understanding of the complex organics produced in space simulation experiments. This methodology is expected to significantly improve the predictive nature of astrochemical models of complex organic molecules formed abiotically in deep space, including biorelated species linked to the origins-of-life topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Hailing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
| | - Iakov Medvedkov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Joshua Marks
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Minggao Xu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230029, P.R. China
| | - Jiuzhong Yang
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230029, P.R. China
| | - Tao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, P.R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, P.R. China
| | - Yang Pan
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230029, P.R. China
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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14
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Zhang C, Zhu C, Eckhardt AK, Kaiser RI. Formation of the elusive tetrahedral P 3N molecule. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabo5792. [PMID: 35648866 PMCID: PMC9159698 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abo5792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The tetrahedral 1,2,3-triphospha-4-azatricyclo [1.1.0.02,4] butane (P3N) molecule-an isovalent species of phosphorus (P4)-was prepared in low-temperature (5 K) phosphine-nitrogen ices and was identified in the gas phase through isomer-selective, tunable, soft photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Theoretical calculations reveal that the substitution of a single phosphorus atom by nitrogen in the P4 molecule results in enhanced spherical aromaticity while simultaneously increasing the strain energy from 74 to 195 kJ mol-1. In P3N, the P─P bond is shortened compared to those in P4 by 3.6 pm, while the P─N─P bond angle of 73.0° is larger by 13.0° compared to the P─P─P bond angle of 60.0° in P4. The identification of tetrahedral P3N enhances our fundamental understanding of the chemical bonding, electronic structure, and stability of binary, interpnictide tetrahedral molecules and reveals a universal route to prepare ring strained cage molecules in extreme environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojiang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - André K. Eckhardt
- Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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15
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Zhang C, Zhu C, Eckhardt AK, Kaiser RI. Detection of 1 H-Triphosphirene ( c-HP 3) and 2-Triphosphenylidene (HP 3): The Isovalent Counterparts of 1 H-Triazirine ( c-HN 3) and Hydrazoic Acid (HN 3). J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:2725-2730. [PMID: 35312325 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c00639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The hitherto elusive 1H-triphosphirene (c-HP3) and 2-triphosphenylidene (HP3) molecules were prepared in low-temperature matrices and detected isomer selectively through photoionization coupled with reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReTOF-MS). Our results reveal a thermodynamically preferred cyclic isomer (c-HP3) compared to the acyclic structure (HP3) in contrast to the isovalent HN3 system favoring hydrazoic acid (HN3) compared to 1H-triazirine (c-HN3). Theoretical computations suggest a ring strain energy of 1H-triphosphirene (c-HP3) of only 35 kJ mol-1, which is significantly lower than the tetrahedral phosphorus molecule (P4) of 74 kJ mol-1. This work provides a fundamental benchmark to understand the electronic structure and chemical bonding of cyclic molecules and offers an unconventional approach to preparing highly strained, still elusive molecules such as 1H-triazirine and tetrahedral tetranitrogen (N4) in the near future involving progressive nonequilibrium chemistries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojiang Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - André K Eckhardt
- Lehrstuhl für Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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16
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Kleimeier NF, Liu Y, Turner AM, Young LA, Chin CH, Yang T, He X, Lo JI, Cheng BM, Kaiser RI. Excited state photochemically driven surface formation of benzene from acetylene ices on Pluto and in the outer solar system. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:1424-1436. [PMID: 34982080 DOI: 10.1039/d1cp04959c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
NASA's New Horizons mission unveiled a diverse landscape of Pluto's surface with massive regions being neutral in color, while others like Cthulhu Macula range from golden-yellow to reddish comprising up to half of Pluto's carbon budget. Here, we demonstrate in laboratory experiments merged with electronic structure calculations that the photolysis of solid acetylene - the most abundant precipitate on Pluto's surface - by low energy ultraviolet photons efficiently synthesizes benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons via excited state photochemistry thus providing critical molecular building blocks for the colored surface material. Since low energy photons deliver doses to Pluto's surface exceeding those from cosmic rays by six orders of magnitude, these processes may significantly contribute to the coloration of Pluto's surface and of hydrocarbon-covered surfaces of Solar System bodies such as Triton in general. This discovery critically enhances our perception of the distribution of aromatic molecules and carbon throughout our Solar System.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Fabian Kleimeier
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Yiwei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, P. R. China.
| | - Andrew M Turner
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Leslie A Young
- Southwest Research Institute, Department of Space Studies, Boulder, CO 80302, USA
| | - Chih-Hao Chin
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, P. R. China.
| | - Tao Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, P. R. China. .,Collaborative Innovation Center of Extreme Optics, Shanxi University, Taiyuan, Shanxi 030006, P. R. China
| | - Xiao He
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Spectroscopy, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Molecular Therapeutics and New Drug Development, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, P. R. China. .,New York University - East China Normal University Center for Computational Chemistry, New York University, Shanghai 200062, P. R. China.
| | - Jen-Iu Lo
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien City 970, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Ming Cheng
- Department of Medical Research, Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Hualien City 970, Taiwan.,Tzu-Chi University of Science and Technology, Hualien City 970, Taiwan
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. .,Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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17
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Kleimeier NF, Kaiser RI. Bottom-Up Synthesis of 1,1-Ethenediol (H 2CC(OH) 2)─The Simplest Unsaturated Geminal Diol─In Interstellar Analogue Ices. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:229-235. [PMID: 34967646 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c03515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Because of their nucleophilic character and high reactivity, enols─reaction intermediates carrying a hydroxyl group connected to a carbon-carbon double bond─play a key role in the formation of complex organic molecules in astrobiology and biochemistry. Here, we report the first bottom-up preparation of 1,1-ethenediol (H2CC(OH)2)─the simplest unsaturated geminal enol of acetic acid (CH3COOH) and potential precursor for the formation of glycine─in interstellar analogue ices of carbon dioxide and methane processed by proxies of galactic cosmic rays. These enols can easily form via nonequilibrium chemistry in low temperature (10 K) interstellar ices at abundances orders of magnitude higher than thermodynamically predicted. These energetically less favorable tautomers remain stable in ice-coated interstellar nanoparticles in molecular clouds and also upon sublimation into the gas phase in star forming regions thus providing the raw material to a complex and exotic organic chemistry under extreme conditions in deep space.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Fabian Kleimeier
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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18
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Identification of a prismatic P 3N 3 molecule formed from electron irradiated phosphine-nitrogen ices. Nat Commun 2021; 12:5467. [PMID: 34526489 PMCID: PMC8443655 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-25775-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyhedral nitrogen containing molecules such as prismatic P3N3 - a hitherto elusive isovalent species of prismane (C6H6) - have attracted particular attention from the theoretical, physical, and synthetic chemistry communities. Here we report on the preparation of prismatic P3N3 [1,2,3-triaza-4,5,6-triphosphatetracyclo[2.2.0.02,6.03,5]hexane] by exposing phosphine (PH3) and nitrogen (N2) ice mixtures to energetic electrons. Prismatic P3N3 was detected in the gas phase and discriminated from its isomers utilizing isomer selective, tunable soft photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry during sublimation of the ices along with an isomer-selective photochemical processing converting prismatic P3N3 to 1,2,4-triaza-3,5,6-triphosphabicyclo[2.2.0]hexa-2,5-diene (P3N3). In prismatic P3N3, the P–P, P–N, and N–N bonds are lengthened compared to those in, e.g., diphosphine (P2H4), di-anthracene stabilized phosphorus mononitride (PN), and hydrazine (N2H4), by typically 0.03–0.10 Å. These findings advance our fundamental understanding of the chemical bonding of poly-nitrogen and poly-phosphorus systems and reveal a versatile pathway to produce exotic, ring-strained cage molecules. High-nitrogen content polyhedral molecules are of fundamental interest for theory and for synthesis applications. The authors, using isomer selective, tunable soft photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry, identify the formation of a hitherto elusive prismatic P3N3 molecule during sublimation of PH3 and N2 ice mixtures exposed to energetic electrons.
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19
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Kleimeier NF, Kaiser RI. Interstellar Enolization-Acetaldehyde (CH 3 CHO) and Vinyl Alcohol (H 2 CCH(OH)) as a Case Study. Chemphyschem 2021; 22:1229-1236. [PMID: 33913232 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202100111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Owing to the unique conditions in cold molecular clouds, enols-the thermodynamically less stable tautomers of aldehydes and ketones-do not undergo tautomerization to their more stable tautomers in the gas phase because they cannot overcome tautomerization barriers at the low temperatures. Laboratory studies of interstellar analog ices have demonstrated the formation of several keto-enol tautomer pairs in astrochemically relevant ice mixtures over the last years. However, so far only one of them, acetaldehyde-vinyl alcohol, has been detected in deep space. Due to their reactivity with electrophiles, enols can play a crucial role in our understanding of the molecular complexity in the interstellar medium and in comets and meteorites. To study the enolization of aldehydes in interstellar ices by interaction with galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), we irradiated acetaldehyde ices with energetic electrons as proxies of secondary electrons generated in the track of GCRs while penetrating interstellar ices. The results indicate that GCRs can induce enolization of acetaldehyde and that intra- as well as intermolecular processes are relevant. Therefore, enols should be ubiquitous in the interstellar medium and could be searched for using radio telescopes such as ALMA. Once enols are detected and abundances are established, they can serve as tracers for the non-equilibrium chemistry in interstellar ices thus eventually constraining fundamental reaction mechanisms deep inside interstellar ices.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Fabian Kleimeier
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
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20
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Zhu C, Bergantini A, Singh SK, Kaiser RI, Eckhardt AK, Schreiner PR, Huang YS, Sun BJ, Chang AHH. Formation of phosphine imide (HN[double bond, length as m-dash]PH 3) and its phosphinous amide (H 2N-PH 2) isomer. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:4958-4961. [PMID: 33876063 DOI: 10.1039/d0cc08411e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We present the first formation of the previously elusive phosphine imide (HN[double bond, length as m-dash]PH3) along with its phosphinous amide (H2N-PH2) isomer via exposure of phosphine (PH3) and ammonia (NH3) ices to ionizing radiation. Our approach may be extended to prepare, separate, and detect highly reactive compounds such as intermediates of Wittig reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA and W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Alexandre Bergantini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA and W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Santosh K Singh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA and W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA and W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
| | - André K Eckhardt
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Giessen 35392, Germany.
| | - Peter R Schreiner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, Giessen 35392, Germany.
| | - Ya-Syuan Huang
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, Hualien 974, Taiwan.
| | - Bing-Jian Sun
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, Hualien 974, Taiwan.
| | - Agnes H H Chang
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, Hualien 974, Taiwan.
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21
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Turner AM, Chandra S, Fortenberry RC, Kaiser RI. A Photoionization Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometric Study on the Detection of Ethynamine (HCCNH 2 ) and 2H-Azirine (c-H 2 CCHN). Chemphyschem 2021; 22:985-994. [PMID: 33797172 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202100064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Ices of acetylene (C2 H2 ) and ammonia (NH3 ) were irradiated with energetic electrons to simulate interstellar ices processed by galactic cosmic rays in order to investigate the formation of C2 H3 N isomers. Supported by quantum chemical calculations, experiments detected product molecules as they sublime from the ices using photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReTOF-MS). Isotopically-labeled ices confirmed the C2 H3 N assignments while photon energies of 8.81 eV, 9.80 eV, and 10.49 eV were utilized to discriminate isomers based on their known ionization energies. Results indicate the formation of ethynamine (HCCNH2 ) and 2H-azirine (c-H2 CCHN) in the irradiated C2 H2 :NH3 ices, and the energetics of their formation mechanisms are discussed. These findings suggest that these two isomers can form in interstellar ices and, upon sublimation during the hot core phase, could be detected using radio astronomy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.,W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Sankhabrata Chandra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.,W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Ryan C Fortenberry
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, Mississippi, 38677-1848, USA
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.,W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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22
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A vacuum ultraviolet photoionization study on the isomerization, decomposition, and molecular mass growth processes in solid nitromethane (CH3NO2). Chem Phys Lett 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cplett.2021.138343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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23
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Turner AM, Kaiser RI. Exploiting Photoionization Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry to Explore Molecular Mass Growth Processes to Complex Organic Molecules in Interstellar and Solar System Ice Analogs. Acc Chem Res 2020; 53:2791-2805. [PMID: 33258604 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.0c00584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusThis Account presents recent advances in our understanding on the formation pathways of complex organic molecules (COMs) within interstellar analog ices on ice-coated interstellar nanoparticles upon interaction with ionizing radiation exploiting reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ReTOF-MS) coupled with tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) single photon ionization (PI) and resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) of the subliming molecules during the temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) phase. Laboratory simulation experiments provided compelling evidence that key classes of complex organics (aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, enols, ketones, and carboxylic acids) can be synthesized upon exposure of astrophysically relevant model ices to ionizing radiation within and throughout the ices at temperatures as low as 5 K.Molecular mass growth processes can be initiated by suprathermal or electronically excited reactants along with barrierless radical-radical recombination if both radicals hold a proper recombination geometry. Methyl (CH3), amino (NH2), hydroxyl (OH), ethyl (C2H5), vinyl (C2H3), ethynyl (C2H), formyl (HCO), hydroxycarbonyl (HOCO), hydroxymethyl (CH2OH), methoxy (CH3O), and acetyl (CH3CO) represent readily available reactants for radical-radical recombination within the ices. Reactive singlet species were found to insert without barrier into carbon-hydrogen and carbon-carbon single bonds (carbene) leading to an extension of the carbon chain and may add to carbon-carbon double bonds (carbene, atomic oxygen) forming cyclic reaction products. These galactic cosmic ray-triggered nonequilibrium pathways overcome previous obstacles of hypothesized thermal grain-surface processes and operate throughout the ice at 5 K. Our investigations discriminate between multiple structural isomers such as alcohols/ethers, aldehydes/enols, and cyclic/acyclic carbonyls. These data provide quantitative, isomer selective input parameters for a cosmic ray-dictated formation of complex organics in interstellar ices and are fully able to replicate the astronomical observations of complex organics over typical lifetimes of molecular clouds of a few 106 to 107 years. Overall, PI-ReTOF-MS revealed that the processing of astrophysically relevant ices can lead to multifaceted mixtures of organics reaching molecular weights of up to 200 amu. Further advances in laboratory techniques beyond the FTIR-QMS limit are clearly desired not only to confidently assign detection in laboratory ice analog experiments of increasingly more complex molecules of interest but also from the viewpoint of future astronomical searches in the age of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Turner
- Department of Chemistry and W.M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry and W.M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai’i at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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Kleimeier NF, Turner AM, Fortenberry RC, Kaiser RI. On the Formation of the Popcorn Flavorant 2,3-Butanedione (CH 3 COCOCH 3 ) in Acetaldehyde-Containing Interstellar Ices. Chemphyschem 2020; 21:1531-1540. [PMID: 32458552 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202000116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Acetaldehyde (CH3 CHO) is ubiquitous throughout the interstellar medium and has been observed in cold molecular clouds, star forming regions, and in meteorites such as Murchison. As the simplest methyl-bearing aldehyde, acetaldehyde constitutes a critical precursor to prebiotic molecules such as the sugar deoxyribose and amino acids via the Strecker synthesis. In this study, we reveal the first laboratory detection of 2,3-butanedione (diacetyl, CH3 COCOCH3 ) - a butter and popcorn flavorant - synthesized within acetaldehyde-based interstellar analog ices exposed to ionizing radiation at 5 K. Detailed isotopic substitution experiments combined with tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization of the subliming molecules demonstrate that 2,3-butanedione is formed predominantly via the barrier-less radical-radical reaction of two acetyl radicals (CH3 ĊO). These processes are of fundamental importance for a detailed understanding of how complex organic molecules (COMs) are synthesized in deep space thus constraining the molecular structures and complexity of molecules forming in extraterrestrial ices containing acetaldehyde through a vigorous galactic cosmic ray driven non-equilibrium chemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Fabian Kleimeier
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Manoa 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Andrew M Turner
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Manoa 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Ryan C Fortenberry
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, 322 Coulter Hall, University, MS, 38677-1848, USA
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai'i at Manoa 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
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25
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Zhu C, Eckhardt AK, Bergantini A, Singh SK, Schreiner PR, Kaiser RI. The elusive cyclotriphosphazene molecule and its Dewar benzene-type valence isomer (P 3N 3). SCIENCE ADVANCES 2020; 6:eaba6934. [PMID: 32832667 PMCID: PMC7439403 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aba6934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although the chemistry of phosphorus and nitrogen has fascinated chemists for more than 350 years, the Hückel aromatic cyclotriphosphazene (P3N3, 2) molecule-a key molecular building block in phosphorus chemistry-has remained elusive. Here, we report a facile, versatile pathway producing cyclotriphosphazene and its Dewar benzene-type isomer (P3N3, 5) in ammonia-phosphine ices at 5 K exposed to ionizing radiation. Both isomers were detected in the gas phase upon sublimation via photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry and discriminated via isomer-selective photochemistry. Our findings provide a fundamental framework to explore the preparation of inorganic, isovalent species of benzene (C6H6) by formally replacing the C─H moieties alternatingly through phosphorus and nitrogen atoms, thus advancing our perception of the chemical bonding of phosphorus systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - André K. Eckhardt
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany and Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Alexandre Bergantini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Santosh K. Singh
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Peter R. Schreiner
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany and Center for Materials Research (LaMa), Justus Liebig University, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 16, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 2545 McCarthy Mall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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26
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An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation into the Formation of Ketene (H2CCO) and Ethynol (HCCOH) in Interstellar Analog Ices. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020. [DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ab8dbc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abplanalp MJ, Frigge R, Kaiser RI. Low-temperature synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Titan's surface ices and on airless bodies. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw5841. [PMID: 31663015 PMCID: PMC6795510 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw5841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Titan's equatorial dunes represent the most monumental surface structures in our Solar System, but the chemical composition of their dark organics remains a fundamental, unsolved enigma, with solid acetylene detected near the dunes implicated as a key feedstock. Here, we reveal in laboratory simulation experiments that aromatics such as benzene, naphthalene, and phenanthrene-prospective building blocks of the organic dune material-can be efficiently synthesized via galactic cosmic ray exposure of low-temperature acetylene ices on Titan's surface, hence challenging conventional wisdom that aromatic hydrocarbons are formed solely in Titan's atmosphere. These processes are also of critical importance in unraveling the origin and chemical composition of the dark surfaces of airless bodies in the outer Solar System, where hydrocarbon precipitation from the atmosphere cannot occur. This finding notably advances our understanding of the distribution of carbon throughout our Solar System such as on Kuiper belt objects like Makemake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J. Abplanalp
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Robert Frigge
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Isenberg S, Weller S, Kargin D, Valić S, Schwederski B, Kelemen Z, Bruhn C, Krekić K, Maurer M, Feil CM, Nieger M, Gudat D, Nyulászi L, Pietschnig R. Bis-[3]Ferrocenophanes with Central >E-E'< Bonds (E, E'=P, SiH): Preparation, Properties, and Thermal Activation. ChemistryOpen 2019; 8:1235-1243. [PMID: 31592068 PMCID: PMC6769432 DOI: 10.1002/open.201900182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of bis-[3]ferrocenophanes of the general type Fe(C5H4E')2E-E(E'C5H4)2Fe (E=P, SiH and E'=PtBu, NneoPentyl, NSi(CH3)3) with an isolobal molecular framework have been prepared and characterized by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The thermal dissociation behavior with respect to homolytic fission of the central bond generating phosphorus centered radicals was investigated using EPR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Isenberg
- Institute for Chemistry and CINSaTUniversity of KasselHeinrich Plett-Straße 4034132KasselGermany
| | - Stefan Weller
- Institute for Inorganic ChemistryUniversity of StuttgartPfaffenwaldring 5570550StuttgartGermany
| | - Denis Kargin
- Institute for Chemistry and CINSaTUniversity of KasselHeinrich Plett-Straße 4034132KasselGermany
| | - Srećko Valić
- Ruđer Bošković InstituteBijenička cesta 5410000ZagrebCroatia
| | - Brigitte Schwederski
- Institute for Inorganic ChemistryUniversity of StuttgartPfaffenwaldring 5570550StuttgartGermany
| | - Zsolt Kelemen
- Institute for Chemistry and CINSaTUniversity of KasselHeinrich Plett-Straße 4034132KasselGermany
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry and MTA-BME Computation Driven Chemistry Research GroupBudapest University of Technology and EconomicsSzent Gellért tér 41111BudapestHungary
| | - Clemens Bruhn
- Institute for Chemistry and CINSaTUniversity of KasselHeinrich Plett-Straße 4034132KasselGermany
| | - Kristijan Krekić
- Institute for Chemistry and CINSaTUniversity of KasselHeinrich Plett-Straße 4034132KasselGermany
| | - Martin Maurer
- Institute for Chemistry and CINSaTUniversity of KasselHeinrich Plett-Straße 4034132KasselGermany
| | - Christoph M. Feil
- Institute for Inorganic ChemistryUniversity of StuttgartPfaffenwaldring 5570550StuttgartGermany
| | - Martin Nieger
- Department of ChemistryUniversity of HelsinkiP.O Box 55Helsinki00014Finland
| | - Dietrich Gudat
- Institute for Inorganic ChemistryUniversity of StuttgartPfaffenwaldring 5570550StuttgartGermany
| | - László Nyulászi
- Department of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry and MTA-BME Computation Driven Chemistry Research GroupBudapest University of Technology and EconomicsSzent Gellért tér 41111BudapestHungary
| | - Rudolf Pietschnig
- Institute for Chemistry and CINSaTUniversity of KasselHeinrich Plett-Straße 4034132KasselGermany
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Abplanalp MJ, Kaiser RI. On the formation of complex organic molecules in the interstellar medium: untangling the chemical complexity of carbon monoxide-hydrocarbon containing ice analogues exposed to ionizing radiation via a combined infrared and reflectron time-of-flight analysis. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:16949-16980. [PMID: 31339133 DOI: 10.1039/c9cp01793c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Recently, over 200 molecules have been detected in the interstellar medium (ISM), with about one third being complex organic molecules (COMs), molecules containing six or more atoms. Over the last few decades, astrophysical laboratory experiments have shown that several COMs are formed via interaction of ionizing radiation within ices deposited on interstellar dust particles at 10 K (H2O, CH3OH, CO, CO2, CH4, NH3). However, there is still a lack of understanding of the chemical complexity that is available through individual ice constituents. The present research investigates experimentally the synthesis of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen bearing COMs from interstellar ice analogues containing carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), ethylene (C2H4), or acetylene (C2H2) exposed to ionizing radiation. Utilizing online and in situ techniques, such as infrared spectroscopy and tunable photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReTOF-MS), specific isomers produced could be characterized. A total of 12 chemically different groups were detected corresponding to C2HnO (n = 2, 4, 6), C3HnO (n = 2, 4, 6, 8), C4HnO (n = 4, 6, 8, 10), C5HnO (n = 4, 6, 8, 10), C6HnO (n = 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14), C2HnO2 (n = 2, 4), C3HnO2 (n = 4, 6, 8), C4HnO2 (n = 4, 6, 8, 10), C5HnO2 (n = 6, 8), C6HnO2 (n = 8, 10, 12), C4HnO3 (n = 4, 6, 8), and C5HnO3 (n = 6, 8). More than half of these isomer specifically identified molecules have been identified in the ISM, and the remaining COMs detected here can be utilized to guide future astronomical observations. Of these isomers, three groups - alcohols, aldehydes, and molecules containing two of these functional groups - displayed varying degrees of unsaturation. Also, the detection of 1-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanal, and 2-methyl-propanal has significant implications as the propyl and isopropyl moieties (C3H7), which have already been detected in the ISM via propyl cyanide and isopropyl cyanide, could be detected in our laboratory studies. General reaction mechanisms for their formation are also proposed, with distinct follow-up studies being imperative to elucidate the complexity of COMs synthesized in these ices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Abplanalp
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. and Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA. and Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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30
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Turner AM, Abplanalp MJ, Bergantini A, Frigge R, Zhu C, Sun BJ, Hsiao CT, Chang AHH, Meinert C, Kaiser RI. Origin of alkylphosphonic acids in the interstellar medium. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2019; 5:eaaw4307. [PMID: 31457085 PMCID: PMC6685711 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaw4307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/27/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
For decades, the source of phosphorus incorporated into Earth's first organisms has remained a fundamental, unsolved puzzle. Although contemporary biomolecules incorporate P(+V) in their phosphate moieties, the limited bioavailability of phosphates led to the proposal that more soluble P(+III) compounds served as the initial source of phosphorus. Here, we report via laboratory simulation experiments that the three simplest alkylphosphonic acids, soluble organic phosphorus P(+III) compounds, can be efficiently generated in interstellar, phosphine-doped ices through interaction with galactic cosmic rays. This discovery opens a previously overlooked avenue into the formation of key molecules of astrobiological significance and untangles basic mechanisms of a facile synthesis of phosphorus-containing organics in extraterrestrial ices, which can be incorporated into comets and asteroids before their delivery and detection on Earth such as in the Murchison meteorite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M. Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Matthew J. Abplanalp
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Alexandre Bergantini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Robert Frigge
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Bing-Jian Sun
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Ta Hsiao
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Agnes H. H. Chang
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Cornelia Meinert
- Université Côte d’Azur, Institut de Chimie de Nice, UMR 7272 CNRS, 06108 Nice, France
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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31
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Zhao L, Prendergast MB, Kaiser RI, Xu B, Lu W, Ablikim U, Ahmed M, Oleinikov AD, Azyazov VN, Mebel AM, Howlader AH, Wnuk SF. Reactivity of the Indenyl Radical (C 9 H 7 ) with Acetylene (C 2 H 2 ) and Vinylacetylene (C 4 H 4 ). Chemphyschem 2019; 20:1437-1447. [PMID: 30938059 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201900052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The reactions of the indenyl radicals with acetylene (C2 H2 ) and vinylacetylene (C4 H4 ) is studied in a hot chemical reactor coupled to synchrotron based vacuum ultraviolet ionization mass spectrometry. These experimental results are combined with theory to reveal that the resonantly stabilized and thermodynamically most stable 1-indenyl radical (C9 H7 . ) is always formed in the pyrolysis of 1-, 2-, 6-, and 7-bromoindenes at 1500 K. The 1-indenyl radical reacts with acetylene yielding 1-ethynylindene plus atomic hydrogen, rather than adding a second acetylene molecule and leading to ring closure and formation of fluorene as observed in other reaction mechanisms such as the hydrogen abstraction acetylene addition or hydrogen abstraction vinylacetylene addition pathways. While this reaction mechanism is analogous to the bimolecular reaction between the phenyl radical (C6 H5 . ) and acetylene forming phenylacetylene (C6 H5 CCH), the 1-indenyl+acetylene→1-ethynylindene+hydrogen reaction is highly endoergic (114 kJ mol-1 ) and slow, contrary to the exoergic (-38 kJ mol-1 ) and faster phenyl+acetylene→phenylacetylene+hydrogen reaction. In a similar manner, no ring closure leading to fluorene formation was observed in the reaction of 1-indenyl radical with vinylacetylene. These experimental results are explained through rate constant calculations based on theoretically derived potential energy surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Matthew B Prendergast
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Bo Xu
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Wenchao Lu
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Utuq Ablikim
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Musahid Ahmed
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | | | | | - Alexander M Mebel
- Samara National Research University, Samara, 443086, Russia.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - A Hasan Howlader
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Stanislaw F Wnuk
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
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32
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Abplanalp MJ, Góbi S, Kaiser RI. On the formation and the isomer specific detection of methylacetylene (CH 3CCH), propene (CH 3CHCH 2), cyclopropane (c-C 3H 6), vinylacetylene (CH 2CHCCH), and 1,3-butadiene (CH 2CHCHCH 2) from interstellar methane ice analogues. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:5378-5393. [PMID: 30221272 DOI: 10.1039/c8cp03921f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pure methane (CH4) ices processed by energetic electrons under ultra-high vacuum conditions to simulate secondary electrons formed via galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) penetrating interstellar ice mantles have been shown to produce an array of complex hydrocarbons with the general formulae: CnH2n+2 (n = 4-8), CnH2n (n = 3-9), CnH2n-2 (n = 3-9), CnH2n-4 (n = 4-9), and CnH2n-6 (n = 6-7). By monitoring the in situ chemical evolution of the ice combined with temperature programmed desorption (TPD) studies and tunable single photon ionization coupled to a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer, specific isomers of C3H4, C3H6, C4H4, and C4H6 were probed. These experiments confirmed the synthesis of methylacetylene (CH3CCH), propene (CH3CHCH2), cyclopropane (c-C3H6), vinylacetylene (CH2CHCCH), 1-butyne (HCCC2H5), 2-butyne (CH3CCCH3), 1,2-butadiene (H2CCCH(CH3)), and 1,3-butadiene (CH2CHCHCH2) with yields of 2.17 ± 0.95 × 10-4, 3.7 ± 1.5 × 10-3, 1.23 ± 0.77 × 10-4, 1.28 ± 0.65 × 10-4, 4.01 ± 1.98 × 10-5, 1.97 ± 0.98 × 10-4, 1.90 ± 0.84 × 10-5, and 1.41 ± 0.72 × 10-4 molecules eV-1, respectively. Mechanistic studies exploring the formation routes of methylacetylene, propene, and vinylacetylene were also conducted, and revealed the additional formation of the 1,2,3-butatriene isomer. Several of the above isomers, methylacetylene, propene, vinylacetylene, and 1,3-butadiene, have repeatedly been shown to be important precursors in the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), but until now their interstellar synthesis has remained elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Abplanalp
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA.
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33
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Zhu C, Frigge R, Turner AM, Abplanalp MJ, Sun BJ, Chen YL, Chang AHH, Kaiser RI. A vacuum ultraviolet photoionization study on the formation of methanimine (CH 2NH) and ethylenediamine (NH 2CH 2CH 2NH 2) in low temperature interstellar model ices exposed to ionizing radiation. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2019; 21:1952-1962. [PMID: 30632569 DOI: 10.1039/c8cp06002a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Methylamine (CH3NH2) and methanimine (CH2NH) represent essential building blocks in the formation of amino acids in interstellar and cometary ices. In our study, by exploiting isomer selective detection of the reaction products via photoionization coupled with reflectron time of flight mass spectrometry (Re-TOF-MS), we elucidate the formation of methanimine and ethylenediamine (NH2CH2CH2NH2) in methylamine ices exposed to energetic electrons as a proxy for secondary electrons generated by energetic cosmic rays penetrating interstellar and cometary ices. Interestingly, the two products methanimine and ethylenediamine are isoelectronic to formaldehyde (H2CO) and ethylene glycol (HOCH2CH2OH), respectively. Their formation has been confirmed in interstellar ice analogs consisting of methanol (CH3OH) which is ioselectronic to methylamine. Both oxygen-bearing species formed in methanol have been detected in the interstellar medium (ISM), while for methanimine and ethylenediamine only methanimine has been identified so far. In comparison with the methanol ice products and our experimental findings, we predict that ethylenediamine should be detectable in these astronomical sources, where methylamine and methanimine are present.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhu
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA.
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34
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Turner AM, Bergantini A, Abplanalp MJ, Zhu C, Góbi S, Sun BJ, Chao KH, Chang AHH, Meinert C, Kaiser RI. An interstellar synthesis of phosphorus oxoacids. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3851. [PMID: 30242164 PMCID: PMC6155066 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06415-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Phosphorus signifies an essential element in molecular biology, yet given the limited solubility of phosphates on early Earth, alternative sources like meteoritic phosphides have been proposed to incorporate phosphorus into biomolecules under prebiotic terrestrial conditions. Here, we report on a previously overlooked source of prebiotic phosphorus from interstellar phosphine (PH3) that produces key phosphorus oxoacids-phosphoric acid (H3PO4), phosphonic acid (H3PO3), and pyrophosphoric acid (H4P2O7)-in interstellar analog ices exposed to ionizing radiation at temperatures as low as 5 K. Since the processed material of molecular clouds eventually enters circumstellar disks and is partially incorporated into planetesimals like proto Earth, an understanding of the facile synthesis of oxoacids is essential to untangle the origin of water-soluble prebiotic phosphorus compounds and how they might have been incorporated into organisms not only on Earth, but potentially in our universe as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Turner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Alexandre Bergantini
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Matthew J Abplanalp
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Sándor Góbi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA
| | - Bing-Jian Sun
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, 974, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Kang-Heng Chao
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, 974, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Agnes H H Chang
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, 974, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Cornelia Meinert
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Chimie de Nice, Nice, France
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA.
- W.M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, 96822, USA.
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Frigge R, Zhu C, Turner AM, Abplanalp MJ, Sun BJ, Huang YS, Chang AHH, Kaiser RI. Synthesis of the hitherto elusive formylphosphine (HCOPH 2) in the interstellar medium - a molecule with an exotic phosphorus peptide bond. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:10152-10155. [PMID: 30132473 PMCID: PMC6340706 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc04125c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The formylphosphine (HCOPH2) molecule was detected in the gas phase via isomer selective photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReTOF-MS). Synthesized in carbon monoxide (CO)-phosphine ices (PH3) exposed to ionizing radiation, the formation mechanism involves an initial phosphorus-hydrogen bond rupture in phosphine yielding the phosphino radical (PH2) along with atomic hydrogen, addition of the suprathermal hydrogen atom to carbon monoxide leading to the formyl radical (HCO), and recombination of both radicals to formylphosphine (HCOPH2). This molecule represents the isovalent counterpart of the ubiquitous interstellar formamide (HCONH2). This study provides a fundamental framework to explore the synthesis and stability of the simplest isovalent counterpart of interstellar formamide (HCONH2) and suggests that formylphosphine (HCOPH2) should be detectable in the interstellar medium eventually providing a missing link between phosphorus-bearing complex organic molecules detected in the interstellar medium and on comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Frigge
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
| | - Cheng Zhu
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
| | - Andrew M. Turner
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
| | - Matthew J. Abplanalp
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
| | - Bing-Jian Sun
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, Hualien 974, Taiwan.
| | - Ya-Syuan Huang
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, Hualien 974, Taiwan.
| | - Agnes H. H. Chang
- Department of Chemistry, National Dong Hwa University, Shoufeng, Hualien 974, Taiwan.
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
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36
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A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study on the Formation of Interstellar Propylene Oxide (CH3CHCH2O)—A Chiral Molecule. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018. [DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/aac383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Zhu C, Frigge R, Turner AM, Kaiser RI, Sun BJ, Chen SY, Chang AHH. First identification of unstable phosphino formic acid (H 2PCOOH). Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:5716-5719. [PMID: 29774326 PMCID: PMC6340708 DOI: 10.1039/c8cc01391h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The hitherto elusive phosphino formic acid molecule (H2PCOOH) was detected for the first time in the gas phase. Theoretical calculations revealed an unexpected kinetic stability of H2PCOOH compared to the isovalent carbamic acid (H2NCOOH) although the replacement of a single nitrogen atom by phosphorus decreases the bond order from a partial double (-C[double bond, length as m-dash]N-) to a single (-C-P-) bond. This work provides a fundamental framework to explore the synthesis and stability of derivatives of carbonic acid (H2CO3), in which one or both hydroxyl groups (OH) are replaced by hydride moieties involving third row atoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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38
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Abplanalp MJ, Jones BM, Kaiser RI. Untangling the methane chemistry in interstellar and solar system ices toward ionizing radiation: a combined infrared and reflectron time-of-flight analysis. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2018; 20:5435-5468. [PMID: 28972622 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp05882a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Pure methane (CH4/CD4) ices were exposed to three ionizing radiation sources at 5.5 K under ultrahigh vacuum conditions to compare the complex hydrocarbon spectrum produced across several interstellar environments. These irradiation sources consisted of energetic electrons to simulate secondary electrons formed in the track of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), Lyman α (10.2 eV; 121.6 nm) photons simulated the internal VUV field in a dense cloud, and broadband (112.7-169.8 nm; 11.0-7.3 eV) photons which mimic the interstellar ultra-violet field. The in situ chemical evolution of the ices was monitored via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and during heating via mass spectrometry utilizing a quadrupole mass spectrometer with an electron impact ionization source (EI-QMS) and a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer with a photoionization source (PI-ReTOF-MS). The FTIR analysis detected six small hydrocarbon products from the three different irradiation sources: propane [C3H8(C3D8)], ethane [C2H6(C2D6)], the ethyl radical [C2H5(C2D5)], ethylene [C2H4(C2D4)], acetylene [C2H2(C2D2)], and the methyl radical [CH3(CD3)]. The sensitive PI-ReTOF-MS analysis identified a complex array of products with different products being detected between experiments with general formulae: CnH2n+2 (n = 4-8), CnH2n (n = 3-9), CnH2n-2 (n = 3-9), CnH2n-4 (n = 4-9), and CnH2n-6 (n = 6-7) from electron irradiation and CnH2n+2 (n = 4-8), CnH2n (n = 3-10), CnH2n-2 (n = 3-11), CnH2n-4 (n = 4-11), CnH2n-6 (n = 5-11), and CnH2n-8 (n = 6-11) from broadband photolysis and Lyman α photolysis. These experiments show that even the simplest hydrocarbon can produce important complex hydrocarbons such as C3H4 and C4H6 isomers. Distinct isomers from these groups have been shown to be important reactants in the synthesis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons like indene (C9H8) and naphthalene (C10H8) under interstellar conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Abplanalp
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, HI 96822, USA.
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Góbi S, Crandall PB, Maksyutenko P, Förstel M, Kaiser RI. Accessing the Nitromethane (CH3NO2) Potential Energy Surface in Methanol (CH3OH)–Nitrogen Monoxide (NO) Ices Exposed to Ionizing Radiation: An FTIR and PI-ReTOF-MS Investigation. J Phys Chem A 2018; 122:2329-2343. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.7b12235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Góbi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Parker B. Crandall
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Pavlo Maksyutenko
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Marko Förstel
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
- W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawai‘i at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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Turner AM, Abplanalp MJ, Blair TJ, Dayuha R, Kaiser RI. An Infrared Spectroscopic Study Toward the Formation of Alkylphosphonic Acids and Their Precursors in Extraterrestrial Environments. THE ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL. SUPPLEMENT SERIES 2018; 234:6. [PMID: 30842689 PMCID: PMC6398957 DOI: 10.3847/1538-4365/aa9183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The only known phosphorus-containing organic compounds of extraterrestrial origin, alkylphosphonic acids, were discovered in the Murchison meteorite and have accelerated the hypothesis that reduced oxidation states of phosphorus were delivered to early Earth and served as a prebiotic source of phosphorus. While previous studies looking into the formation of these alkylphosphonic acids have focused on the iron-nickel phosphide mineral schreibersite and phosphorous acid as a source of phosphorus, this work utilizes phosphine (PH3), which has been discovered in the circumstellar envelope of IRC +10216, in the atmosphere of Jupiter and Saturn, and believed to be the phosphorus carrier in comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Phosphine ices prepared with interstellar molecules such as carbon dioxide, water, and methane were subjected to electron irradiation, which simulates the secondary electrons produced from galactic cosmic rays penetrating the ice, and probed using infrared spectroscopy to understand the possible formation of alkylphosphonic acids and their precursors on interstellar icy grains that could become incorporated into meteorites such as Murchison. We present the first study and results on the possible synthesis of alkylphosphonic acids produced from phosphine-mixed ices under interstellar conditions. All functional groups of alkylphosphonic acids were detected through infrared spectroscopically, suggesting that this class of molecules can be formed in interstellar ices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Turner
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
| | - Matthew J Abplanalp
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
| | - Tyler J Blair
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
| | - Remwilyn Dayuha
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
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41
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Tsegaw YA, Góbi S, Förstel M, Maksyutenko P, Sander W, Kaiser RI. Formation of Hydroxylamine in Low-Temperature Interstellar Model Ices. J Phys Chem A 2017; 121:7477-7493. [PMID: 28892389 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.7b07500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yetsedaw A. Tsegaw
- Lehrstuhl
für Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Wolfram Sander
- Lehrstuhl
für Organische Chemie II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany
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On the Formation of the C2H6O Isomers Ethanol (C2H5OH) and Dimethyl Ether (CH3OCH3) in Star-forming Regions. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017. [DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/aa7062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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43
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Góbi S, Bergantini A, Turner AM, Kaiser RI. Electron Radiolysis of Ammonium Perchlorate: A Reflectron Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometric Study. J Phys Chem A 2017; 121:3879-3890. [PMID: 28445648 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.7b01862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sándor Góbi
- Department
of Chemistry and ‡W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Alexandre Bergantini
- Department
of Chemistry and ‡W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Andrew M. Turner
- Department
of Chemistry and ‡W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Ralf I. Kaiser
- Department
of Chemistry and ‡W. M. Keck Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Ma̅noa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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Tarczay G, Förstel M, Góbi S, Maksyutenko P, Kaiser RI. Synthesis of the Smallest Member of the Silylketene Family: H 3 SiC(H)=C=O. Chemphyschem 2017; 18:882-889. [PMID: 28129476 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201601422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Exploiting photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (PI-ReTOF-MS) combined with electronic structure calculations, it is shown that the hitherto elusive silylketene molecule (H3 SiC(H)=C=O)-the isovalent counterpart of the well-known methylketene molecule-is forming via interaction of energetic electrons with low-temperature silane-carbon monoxide ices. In combination with the infrared spectroscopically detected triplet dicarbon monoxide reactant, electronic structure calculations suggest that dicarbon monoxide reacts with silane via a de facto insertion of the terminal carbon atom into a silicon-hydrogen single bond. This is followed by non-adiabatic reaction dynamics triggered by the heavy silicon atom intersystem crossing from the triplet to the singlet manifold, eventually leading to the formation of silylketene. The non-equilibrium nature of the elementary reactions within the exposed ices results in an exciting and novel chemistry which cannot be explored via traditional preparative chemistry. Since the replacement of hydrogen in silane can introduce side groups such as silyl or alkyl, the reaction of triplet dicarbon monoxide with silane represents the parent system for a previously disregarded reaction class revealing an elegant path to access the largely reactive group of silylketenes.
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Affiliation(s)
- György Tarczay
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA.,Permanent Address: Laboratory of Molecular Spectroscopy, Institute of Chemistry, Eötvös University, PO Box 32, H-1518, Budapest 112, Hungary
| | - Marko Förstel
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA.,Present address: Berlin Institute of Technology, IOAP, Hardenbergstrasse 36, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sándor Góbi
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Pavlo Maksyutenko
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, 96822, USA
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Tarczay G, Förstel M, Maksyutenko P, Kaiser RI. Formation of Higher Silanes in Low-Temperature Silane (SiH4) Ices. Inorg Chem 2016; 55:8776-85. [PMID: 27513820 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.6b01327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A novel approach for the synthesis and identification of higher silanes (SinH2n+2, where n ≤ 19) is presented. Thin films of (d4-)silane deposited onto a cold surface were exposed under ultra-high-vacuum conditions to energetic electrons and sampled on line and in situ via infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Gas phase products released by fractional sublimation in the warm-up phase after the irradiation were probed via a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer coupled with a tunable vacuum ultraviolet photon ionization source. The formation mechanisms of (higher) silanes were investigated by irradiating codeposited 1:1 silane (SiH4)/d4-silane (SiD4) ices, suggesting that both radical-radical recombination and radical insertion pathways contribute to the formation of disilane along with higher silanes up to nonadecasilane (Si19H40).
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Affiliation(s)
- György Tarczay
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa , Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Marko Förstel
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa , Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Pavlo Maksyutenko
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa , Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- Department of Chemistry and W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa , Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States
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Turner AM, Abplanalp MJ, Kaiser RI. PROBING THE CARBON-PHOSPHORUS BOND COUPLING IN LOW-TEMPERATURE PHOSPHINE (PH 3)-METHANE (CH 4) INTERSTELLAR ICE ANALOGUES. THE ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL 2016; 819:97. [PMID: 30842683 PMCID: PMC6398962 DOI: 10.3847/0004-637x/819/2/97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Phosphine, which has now been confirmed around the carbon-rich star IRC+10216, provides the first example of a phosphorus-containing single bond in interstellar or circumstellar media. While four compounds containing both phosphorus and carbon have been discovered, none contain a carbon-phosphorus single bond. Here, we show that this moiety is plausible from the reaction of phosphine with methane in electron-irradiated interstellar ice analogues. Fractional sublimation allows for detection of individual products at distinct temperatures using reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ReTOF) coupled with vacuum ultraviolet photoionization. This method produced phosphanes and methylphosphanes as large as P8H10 and CH3P8H9, which demonstrates that a phosphorus-carbon bond can readily form and that methylphosphanes sublime at 12-17 K higher temperatures than the non-organic phosphanes. Also, irradiated ices of phosphine with deuterated-methane untangle the reaction pathways through which these methylphosphanes were formed and identified radical recombination to be preferred over carbene/phosphinidene insertion reactions. In addition, these ReTOF results confirm that CH3PH2 and CH6P2 can form via insertion of carbene and phosphinidene and that the methylenediphosphine (PH2CH2PH2) isomer forms in the ices, although methylphosphine (CH3P2H3) is likely the more abundant isomer and that phosphanes and organophosphanes preferentially fragment via the loss of a phosphino group when photoionized. While the formation of methylphosphine is overall endoergic, the intermediates produced by interactions with energetic electrons proceed toward methylphosphine favorably and barrierlessly and provide plausible mechanisms toward hitherto unidentified interstellar compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Turner
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Matthew J Abplanalp
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
| | - Ralf I Kaiser
- W. M. Keck Research Laboratory in Astrochemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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La Cruz NL, Qasim D, Abbott-Lyon H, Pirim C, McKee AD, Orlando T, Gull M, Lindsay D, Pasek MA. The evolution of the surface of the mineral schreibersite in prebiotic chemistry. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2016; 18:20160-7. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cp00836d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate a synthesis of the meteoritic mineral schreibersite (Fe,Ni)3P, study its surface chemistry, and show prebiotic phosphorylation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danna Qasim
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Kennesaw State University
- Kennesaw
- USA
| | - Heather Abbott-Lyon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Kennesaw State University
- Kennesaw
- USA
| | - Claire Pirim
- Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers
- Atomes et Molécules (PhLAM)
- UMR 8523 CNRS
- 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq
- France
| | - Aaron D. McKee
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Atlanta
- USA
| | - Thomas Orlando
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Atlanta
- USA
| | - Maheen Gull
- School of Geosciences
- University of South Florida
- NES 204
- Tampa
- USA
| | - Danny Lindsay
- School of Geosciences
- University of South Florida
- NES 204
- Tampa
- USA
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