Hockey EK, Vlahos K, Howard T, Palko J, Dodson LG. Weakly Bound Complex Formation between HCN and CH
3Cl: A Matrix-Isolation and Computational Study.
J Phys Chem A 2022;
126:3110-3123. [PMID:
35583384 DOI:
10.1021/acs.jpca.2c00716]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The matrix-isolated infrared spectrum of a hydrogen cyanide-methyl chloride complex was investigated in a solid argon matrix. HCN and CH3Cl were co-condensed onto a substrate held at 10 K with an excess of argon gas, and the infrared spectrum was measured using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Quantum chemical geometry optimization, harmonic frequency, and natural bonding orbital calculations indicate stabilized hydrogen- and halogen-bonded structures. The two resulting weakly bound complexes are both composed of one CH3Cl molecule bound to a (HCN)3 subunit, where the three HCN molecules are bound head-to-tail in a ring formation. Our study suggests that─in the presence of CH3Cl─the formation of (HCN)3 is promoted through complexation. Since HCN aggregates are an important precursor to prebiotic monomers (amino acids and nucleobases) and other life-bearing polymers, this study has astrophysical implications toward the search for life in space.
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