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Flowers AM, Brown A, Klobukowski M. An investigation into transition states of cyclic tetra-atomic silicon and germanium interstellar dust compounds: Si xC 4-x, Ge xC 4-x, and Ge xSi 4-x ( x ∈ {1,2,3}). Phys Chem Chem Phys 2024. [PMID: 39041061 DOI: 10.1039/d4cp02150a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Presented in this work is a thorough determination of the transition states between the different isomers of cyclic tetra-atomic silicon carbide, germanium carbide, and germanium silicide clusters. Through use of density functional theory (B3LYP-D3BJ, M06-2X, ωB97X-D4, and B2GP-PLYP) in conjunction with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set, transition state structures and their barrier heights are determined for the interconversions between the various isomers for the family of tetra-atomic SiC, GeC, and GeSi compounds. SiC dust grains are known to be prevalent in interstellar dust, and among this group, so far only diamond-shaped (d-)SiC3 has been detected in the interstellar medium (ISM). Determining which other structures might be detectable not only depends on their intrinsic spectroscopic features, but whether or not they are likely to exist as isomers in interstellar environments. By examining the energy barrier heights for transitions between isomers, we determined that many of these structures are unlikely to exhibit interconversion in the ISM, outside of hotter circumstellar environments. Although Boltzmann population ratios at approximate circumstellar temperatures suggest the presence of higher energy minima, it is likely that once interconversion happens, as molecules travel away from a star and cool, they will get kinetically trapped in the potential energy well they inhabit, making how the ratios freeze out dependent on the time and pathways the molecules take to cool down. As such, many of these higher energy minima may still be good candidates for detection including (rhomboidal) r-SiC3, r-GeC3, r-GeSi3, (trapezoidal) t-Si2C2, r-Ge2C2, and d-Si3C.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mackenzie Flowers
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada.
| | - Alex Brown
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada.
| | - Mariusz Klobukowski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G2, Canada.
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2
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Xiong L, Zhang L, Zhao B, Jiang B. Six-dimensional quantum dynamics of an Eley-Rideal reaction between gaseous and adsorbed hydrogen atoms on Cu(111). Faraday Discuss 2024. [PMID: 38757528 DOI: 10.1039/d3fd00163f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
In the form of direct abstraction of a surface adsorbate by a gaseous projectile, the Eley-Rideal (ER) reaction at the gas-surface interface manifests interesting dynamics. Unfortunately, high-dimensional quantum dynamical (QD) studies for ER reactions remain very challenging, which demands a large configuration space and the coordinate transformation of wavefunctions. Here, we report the first six-dimensional (6D) fully coupled quantum scattering method for studying the ER reaction between gas phase H(D) atoms and adsorbed D(H) atoms on a rigid Cu(111) surface. Reaction probabilities and product rovibrational state distributions obtained by this 6D model are found to be quite different from those obtained by reduced-dimensional QD models, demonstrating the high-dimensional nature of the ER reaction. Using two distinct potential energy surfaces (PESs), we further discuss the influence of the PES on the calculated product vibrational and rotational state distributions, in comparison with experimental results. The lateral corrugation and the exothermicity of the PES are found to play a critical role in controlling the energy disposal in the ER reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longlong Xiong
- Department of Chemical Physics, Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Chemistry and Energy Catalysis of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Chemical Physics, Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Chemistry and Energy Catalysis of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
| | - Bin Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China.
| | - Bin Jiang
- Department of Chemical Physics, Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Key Laboratory of Surface and Interface Chemistry and Energy Catalysis of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
- Hefei National Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230088, China
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3
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Trabelsi T, Esposito VJ, Francisco JS. Spectroscopy and Photochemistry of Aluminum-Bearing Species in the Universe. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:3045-3052. [PMID: 37831552 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusMetal-bearing molecules impact the chemical and physical environment of many astronomical sources such as the circumstellar envelopes of large asymptotic giant branch and red supergiant stars, the interstellar medium, and planetary atmospheres (e.g., ablation of ∼20 tons per day into the Earth's upper atmosphere). In recent decades, the number of successfully detected metal-containing molecules has increased via rotational spectroscopic observations, which are driven by theoretical and experimental investigations. Following formation, the ultimate fate of each species (stabilization, dissociation, etc.) is determined by its electronic structure and electronic spectroscopic properties as it encounters the pervasive radiation fields in the vacuum of space. Studying these properties can evince the possibility of detection and predict the impact each molecule has on its surrounding environment. Aluminum, one of the most abundant elements and metals, is distributed throughout the universe as a constituent of gas-phase molecules (e.g., AlO, AlOH, AlCl, etc.) as well as condensed onto solid dust grains such as Al2O3. Free gas-phase aluminum-bearing molecules are synthesized by nonthermal equilibrium processes such as shocks and pulsations near the stellar photosphere or via the reaction of molecules on the surface of dust grains. Recent investigations in our research group utilizing quantum chemical methods, such as coupled cluster (CCSD(T) and CCSD(T)-F12) and multireference configuration interaction (MRCI) with large basis sets, have explored a wide breadth of spectroscopy and photochemistry of small (triatomic and tetratomic) aluminum-bearing molecules, including Al-H, Al-C, Al-N, Al-O, Al-Si, Al-P, and Al-S bonds, among others. The ground-state spectroscopy (rotational and vibrational) of various aluminum-bearing molecules is discussed in the context of experimental and observational detection potentials. These detection potentials depend on various factors, such as the magnitude of the permanent dipole moment (PDM) and the population of states yielding transition frequencies in detectable ranges. Many aluminum-bearing molecules possess large PDMs and may be prime candidates for astronomical and laboratory detection. Within this discussion, interesting aspects of the ground-state molecular orbital configuration of OAlNO are shown to lead to an uncommon triplet ground state. Additionally, the electronic absorption spectrum of the quasi-isoenergetic ground-state isomers of AlOSO is discussed as a sensitive method for detecting this species and differentiating between the two isomers. Finally, photochemical mechanisms key to the production of AlO and AlOH in low-density regions and the destruction of AlCO and AlOC are also discussed in order to understand the radiation-induced formation and destruction of these molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarek Trabelsi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6243, United States
| | - Vincent J Esposito
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6243, United States
| | - Joseph S Francisco
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6243, United States
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104-6243, United States
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4
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Shelyapina MG, Nefedov DY, Antonenko AO, Valkovskiy GA, Yocupicio-Gaxiola RI, Petranovskii V. Nanoconfined Water in Pillared Zeolites Probed by 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15898. [PMID: 37958879 PMCID: PMC10648503 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Here, we report the results of our 1H nuclear magnetic resonance study of the dynamics of water molecules confined in zeolites (mordenite and ZSM-5 structures) with hierarchical porosity (micropores in zeolite lamella and mesopores formed by amorphous SiO2 in the inter-lamellar space). 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra show that water experiences complex behavior within the temperature range from 173 to 298 K. The temperature dependence of 1H spin-lattice relaxation evidences the presence of three processes with different activation energies: freezing (about 30 kJ/mol), fast rotation (about 10 kJ/mol), and translational motion of water molecules (23.6 and 26.0 kJ/mol for pillared mordenite and ZSM-5, respectively). For translational motion, the activation energy is markedly lower than for water in mesoporous silica or zeolites with similar mesopore size but with disordered secondary porosity. This indicates that the process of water diffusion in zeolites with hierarchical porosity is governed not only by the presence of mesopores, but also by the mutual arrangement of meso- and micropores. The translational motion of water molecules is determined mainly by zeolite micropores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina G. Shelyapina
- Faculty of Physics, Saint Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya Nab., Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia; (D.Y.N.); (A.O.A.); (G.A.V.)
| | - Denis Y. Nefedov
- Faculty of Physics, Saint Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya Nab., Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia; (D.Y.N.); (A.O.A.); (G.A.V.)
| | - Anastasiia O. Antonenko
- Faculty of Physics, Saint Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya Nab., Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia; (D.Y.N.); (A.O.A.); (G.A.V.)
| | - Gleb A. Valkovskiy
- Faculty of Physics, Saint Petersburg State University, 7/9 Universitetskaya Nab., Saint Petersburg 199034, Russia; (D.Y.N.); (A.O.A.); (G.A.V.)
| | - Rosario I. Yocupicio-Gaxiola
- Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Guasave, Carretera a La Brecha Sin Número, Ejido Burrioncito, Guasave 81149, Sinaloa, Mexico;
| | - Vitalii Petranovskii
- Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, National Autonomous University of Mexico (CNyN, UNAM), Ensenada 22860, Baja California, Mexico;
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5
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Tang Z, Bromley ST, Hammer B. A machine learning potential for simulating infrared spectra of nanosilicate clusters. J Chem Phys 2023; 158:2895243. [PMID: 37290080 DOI: 10.1063/5.0150379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of machine learning (ML) in chemical physics has enabled the construction of interatomic potentials having the accuracy of ab initio methods and a computational cost comparable to that of classical force fields. Training an ML model requires an efficient method for the generation of training data. Here, we apply an accurate and efficient protocol to collect training data for constructing a neural network-based ML interatomic potential for nanosilicate clusters. Initial training data are taken from normal modes and farthest point sampling. Later on, the set of training data is extended via an active learning strategy in which new data are identified by the disagreement between an ensemble of ML models. The whole process is further accelerated by parallel sampling over structures. We use the ML model to run molecular dynamics simulations of nanosilicate clusters with various sizes, from which infrared spectra with anharmonicity included can be extracted. Such spectroscopic data are needed for understanding the properties of silicate dust grains in the interstellar medium and in circumstellar environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeyuan Tang
- Center for Interstellar Catalysis, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
| | - Stefan T Bromley
- Departament de Ciència de Materials i Química Física and Institut de Química Teòrica i Computatcional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, c/Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bjørk Hammer
- Center for Interstellar Catalysis, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University, Ny Munkegade 120, Aarhus C 8000, Denmark
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6
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Mariñoso Guiu J, Ghejan BA, Bernhardt TM, Bakker JM, Lang SM, Bromley ST. Cluster Beam Study of (MgSiO 3) +-Based Monomeric Silicate Species and Their Interaction with Oxygen: Implications for Interstellar Astrochemistry. ACS EARTH & SPACE CHEMISTRY 2022; 6:2465-2470. [PMID: 36303718 PMCID: PMC9589904 DOI: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.2c00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Silicates are ubiquitously found as small dust grains throughout the universe. These particles are frequently subject to high-energy processes and subsequent condensation in the interstellar medium (ISM), where they are broken up into many ultrasmall silicate fragments. These abundant molecular-sized silicates likely play an important role in astrochemistry. By approximately mimicking silicate dust grain processing occurring in the diffuse ISM by ablation/cooling of a Mg/Si source material in the presence of O2, we observed the creation of stable clusters based on discrete pyroxene monomers (MgSiO3 +), which traditionally have only been considered possible as constituents of bulk silicate materials. Our study suggests that such pyroxene monomer-based clusters could be highly abundant in the ISM from the processing of larger silicate dust grains. A detailed analysis, by infrared multiple-photon dissociation (IR-MPD) spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, reveals the structures and properties of these monomeric silicate species. We find that the clusters interact strongly with oxygen, with some stable cluster isomers having a silicate monomeric core bound to an ozone-like moiety. The general high tendency of these monomeric silicate species to strongly adsorb O2 molecules also suggests that they could be relevant to the observed and unexplained depletion of oxygen in the ISM. We further find clusters where a Mg atom is bound to the MgSiO3 monomer core. These species can be considered as the simplest initial step in monomer-initiated nucleation, indicating that small ionized pyroxenic clusters could also assist in the reformation of larger silicate dust grains in the ISM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Mariñoso Guiu
- Departament
de Ciència de Materials i Química Física &
Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, c/ Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bianca-Andreea Ghejan
- Institute
of Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Ulm
University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Thorsten M. Bernhardt
- Institute
of Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Ulm
University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Joost M. Bakker
- Radboud
University, Institute for Molecules and Materials, FELIX Laboratory, 6525 ED Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra M. Lang
- Institute
of Surface Chemistry and Catalysis, Ulm
University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 47, 89069 Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefan T. Bromley
- Departament
de Ciència de Materials i Química Física &
Institut de Química Teòrica i Computacional (IQTCUB), Universitat de Barcelona, c/ Martí i Franquès 1-11, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Institució
Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluis Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
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7
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Zamith S, Kassem A, L'Hermite JM, Joblin C. Water Attachment onto Size-Selected Cationic Pyrene Clusters. J Phys Chem A 2022; 126:3696-3707. [PMID: 35670699 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.2c02195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We report measurements of the attachment rates of water molecules onto mass-selected cationic pyrene clusters for size from n = 4 to 13 pyrene units and for different collision energies. Comparison of the attachment rates with the collision rates measured in collision-induced dissociation experiments provides access to the values of the sticking coefficient. The strong dependence of the attachment rates on size and collision energy is rationalized through a model in which we use a Langevin-type collision rate and adjust on experimental data the statistical dissociation rate of the water molecule from the cluster after attachment. This allows us to extrapolate our results to the conditions of isolation and long time scales encountered in astrophysical environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sébastien Zamith
- Laboratoire Collision Agrégats Réactivité (LCAR/IRSAMC), UMR5589, Université de Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier and CNRS, 118 Route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Ali Kassem
- Laboratoire Collision Agrégats Réactivité (LCAR/IRSAMC), UMR5589, Université de Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier and CNRS, 118 Route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, France.,Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP), UMR5277, Université de Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, CNRS, CNES, 9 avenue du Colonel Roche, F-31028 Toulouse, France
| | - Jean-Marc L'Hermite
- Laboratoire Collision Agrégats Réactivité (LCAR/IRSAMC), UMR5589, Université de Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier and CNRS, 118 Route de Narbonne, F-31062 Toulouse, France
| | - Christine Joblin
- Institut de Recherche en Astrophysique et Planétologie (IRAP), UMR5277, Université de Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, CNRS, CNES, 9 avenue du Colonel Roche, F-31028 Toulouse, France
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8
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Tracing the Primordial Chemical Life of Glycine: A Review from Quantum Chemical Simulations. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23084252. [PMID: 35457069 PMCID: PMC9030215 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23084252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycine (Gly), NH2CH2COOH, is the simplest amino acid. Although it has not been directly detected in the interstellar gas-phase medium, it has been identified in comets and meteorites, and its synthesis in these environments has been simulated in terrestrial laboratory experiments. Likewise, condensation of Gly to form peptides in scenarios resembling those present in a primordial Earth has been demonstrated experimentally. Thus, Gly is a paradigmatic system for biomolecular building blocks to investigate how they can be synthesized in astrophysical environments, transported and delivered by fragments of asteroids (meteorites, once they land on Earth) and comets (interplanetary dust particles that land on Earth) to the primitive Earth, and there react to form biopolymers as a step towards the emergence of life. Quantum chemical investigations addressing these Gly-related events have been performed, providing fundamental atomic-scale information and quantitative energetic data. However, they are spread in the literature and difficult to harmonize in a consistent way due to different computational chemistry methodologies and model systems. This review aims to collect the work done so far to characterize, at a quantum mechanical level, the chemical life of Gly, i.e., from its synthesis in the interstellar medium up to its polymerization on Earth.
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9
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Potapov A, Fulvio D, Krasnokutski S, Jäger C, Henning T. Formation of Complex Organic and Prebiotic Molecules in H 2O:NH 3:CO 2 Ices at Temperatures Relevant to Hot Cores, Protostellar Envelopes, and Planet-Forming Disks. J Phys Chem A 2022; 126:1627-1639. [PMID: 35245052 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpca.1c10188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Photochemistry in H2O:NH3:CO2 cosmic ice analogues was studied at temperatures of 75, 120, and 150 K, relevant to hot cores and warmer regions in protostellar envelopes and planet-forming disks. A combination of two triggers of surface chemistry in cosmic ice analogues, heat and UV irradiation, compared to using either just heat or UV irradiation, leads to a larger variety and an increased production of complex organic molecules, including potential precursors of prebiotic molecules. In addition to complex organic molecules detected in previous studies of H2O:NH3:CO2 ices, ammonium carbamate, carbamic acid, ammonium formate and formamide, we detected acetaldehyde, urea, and, tentatively, glycine, the simplest amino acid. Water ice hampers reactions at low temperature (75 K) but allows the parent molecules, CO2 and NH3, to stay in the solid state and react at higher temperatures (120 and 150 K, above their desorption temperatures). The experiments were performed on the surface of KBr substrates and amorphous silicate grains, analogs of cosmic silicate dust. The production of complex molecules on the silicate surface is decreased compared to KBr. This result suggests that the larger surface area and/or surface properties of the silicate grains play a role in controlling the chemistry, preventing it taking place to the same extent as on the flat KBr substrate. This is further evidence of the fact that cosmic dust grains play an important role in the chemistry taking place on their surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexey Potapov
- Laboratory Astrophysics Group of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Solid State Physics, Helmholtzweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Daniele Fulvio
- Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Salita Moiariello 16, 80131, Naples, Italy.,Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Serge Krasnokutski
- Laboratory Astrophysics Group of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Solid State Physics, Helmholtzweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Cornelia Jäger
- Laboratory Astrophysics Group of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Solid State Physics, Helmholtzweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany
| | - Thomas Henning
- Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany
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10
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Possible Ribose Synthesis in Carbonaceous Planetesimals. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12030404. [PMID: 35330155 PMCID: PMC8955445 DOI: 10.3390/life12030404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The origin of life might be sparked by the polymerization of the first RNA molecules in Darwinian ponds during wet-dry cycles. The key life-building block ribose was found in carbonaceous chondrites. Its exogenous delivery onto the Hadean Earth could be a crucial step toward the emergence of the RNA world. Here, we investigate the formation of ribose through a simplified version of the formose reaction inside carbonaceous chondrite parent bodies. Following up on our previous studies regarding nucleobases with the same coupled physico-chemical model, we calculate the abundance of ribose within planetesimals of different sizes and heating histories. We perform laboratory experiments using catalysts present in carbonaceous chondrites to infer the yield of ribose among all pentoses (5Cs) forming during the formose reaction. These laboratory yields are used to tune our theoretical model that can only predict the total abundance of 5Cs. We found that the calculated abundances of ribose were similar to the ones measured in carbonaceous chondrites. We discuss the possibilities of chemical decomposition and preservation of ribose and derived constraints on time and location in planetesimals. In conclusion, the aqueous formose reaction might produce most of the ribose in carbonaceous chondrites. Together with our previous studies on nucleobases, we found that life-building blocks of the RNA world could be synthesized inside parent bodies and later delivered onto the early Earth.
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11
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Ingman ER, Shepherd A, Brown WA. Using Surface Science Techniques to Investigate the Interaction of Acetonitrile with Dust Grain Analogue Surfaces : Behaviour of acetonitrile and water on a graphitic surface. JOHNSON MATTHEY TECHNOLOGY REVIEW 2021. [DOI: 10.1595/205651321x16264409352535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Surface science methodologies, such as reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and temperature programmed desorption (TPD), are ideally suited to studying the interaction of molecules with model astrophysical surfaces. Here we describe the use of RAIRS and TPD to investigate
the adsorption, interactions and thermal processing of acetonitrile and water containing model ices grown under astrophysical conditions on a graphitic dust grain analogue surface. Experiments show that acetonitrile physisorbs on the graphitic surface at all exposures. At the lowest coverages,
repulsions between the molecules lead to a decreasing desorption energy with increasing coverage. Analysis of TPD data gives monolayer desorption energies ranging from 28.8‐39.2 kJ mol−1 and an average multilayer desorption energy of 43.8 kJ mol−1.
When acetonitrile is adsorbed in the presence of water ice, the desorption energy of monolayer acetonitrile shows evidence of desorption with a wide range of energies. An estimate of the desorption energy of acetonitrile from crystalline ice (CI) shows that it is increased to ~37 kJ mol−1
at the lowest exposures of acetonitrile. Amorphous water ice also traps acetonitrile on the graphite surface past its natural desorption temperature, leading to volcano and co-desorption. RAIRS data show that the C≡N vibration shifts, indicative of an interaction between the acetonitrile
and the water ice surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R. Ingman
- Department of Chemistry Arundel Building 305, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QJ UK
| | - Amber Shepherd
- Department of Chemistry Arundel Building 305, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QJ UK
| | - Wendy A. Brown
- Department of Chemistry Arundel Building 305, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9QJ UK
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12
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Barreiro-Lage D, Bolognesi P, Chiarinelli J, Richter R, Zettergren H, Stockett MH, Carlini L, Diaz-Tendero S, Avaldi L. "Smart Decomposition" of Cyclic Alanine-Alanine Dipeptide by VUV Radiation: A Seed for the Synthesis of Biologically Relevant Species. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:7379-7386. [PMID: 34324354 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c01788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A combined experimental and theoretical study shows how the interaction of VUV radiation with cyclo-(alanine-alanine), one of the 2,5-diketopiperazines (DKPs), produces reactive oxazolidinone intermediates. The theoretical simulations reveal that the interaction of these intermediates with other neutral and charged fragments, released in the molecular decomposition, leads either to the reconstruction of the cyclic dipeptide or to the formation of longer linear peptide chains. These results may explain how DKPs could have, on one hand, survived hostile chemical environments and, on the other, provided the seed for amino acid polymerization. Shedding light on the mechanisms of production of such prebiotic building blocks is of paramount importance to understanding the abiotic synthesis of relevant biologically active compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darío Barreiro-Lage
- Departamento de Química, Módulo 13, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paola Bolognesi
- Institute of Structure of Matter-CNR (ISM-CNR), Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Jacopo Chiarinelli
- Institute of Structure of Matter-CNR (ISM-CNR), Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Robert Richter
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, 34149 Basovizza, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Mark H Stockett
- Department of Physics, Stockholm University, Se-10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laura Carlini
- Institute of Structure of Matter-CNR (ISM-CNR), Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Sergio Diaz-Tendero
- Departamento de Química, Módulo 13, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Institute for Advanced Research in Chemical Science (IAdChem), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Avaldi
- Institute of Structure of Matter-CNR (ISM-CNR), Area della Ricerca di Roma 1, Via Salaria km 29.300, 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
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Fulvio D, Potapov A, He J, Henning T. Astrochemical Pathways to Complex Organic and Prebiotic Molecules: Experimental Perspectives for In Situ Solid-State Studies. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11060568. [PMID: 34204233 PMCID: PMC8235774 DOI: 10.3390/life11060568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Revised: 06/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A deep understanding of the origin of life requires the physical, chemical, and biological study of prebiotic systems and the comprehension of the mechanisms underlying their evolutionary steps. In this context, great attention is paid to the class of interstellar molecules known as "Complex Organic Molecules" (COMs), considered as possible precursors of prebiotic species. Although COMs have already been detected in different astrophysical environments (such as interstellar clouds, protostars, and protoplanetary disks) and in comets, the physical-chemical mechanisms underlying their formation are not yet fully understood. In this framework, a unique contribution comes from laboratory experiments specifically designed to mimic the conditions found in space. We present a review of experimental studies on the formation and evolution of COMs in the solid state, i.e., within ices of astrophysical interest, devoting special attention to the in situ detection and analysis techniques commonly used in laboratory astrochemistry. We discuss their main strengths and weaknesses and provide a perspective view on novel techniques, which may help in overcoming the current experimental challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Fulvio
- Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica, Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte, Salita Moiariello 16, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.H.); (T.H.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Alexey Potapov
- Laboratory Astrophysics Group of the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Institute of Solid State Physics, Helmholtzweg 3, 07743 Jena, Germany;
| | - Jiao He
- Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.H.); (T.H.)
| | - Thomas Henning
- Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Königstuhl 17, D-69117 Heidelberg, Germany; (J.H.); (T.H.)
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