Cold Organic Chemistry
This project explores organic reactions under cold, low-energy, and high-radiation conditions to uncover mechanisms like quantum-mechanical tunneling that may explain the formation of complex organic molecules in space.
Projectdetails
Introduction
This proposal ventures into organic chemical reactions under not-so-common conditions, namely in the cold, at insufficient energies, and under the action of hard radiation. As many organic molecules have been discovered in space or brought to earth in meteorites, they must have formed under such conditions through hitherto largely undisclosed mechanisms.
Key Hypotheses
One key hypothesis is that quantum-mechanical tunneling (QMT) and novel reactions with exceptionally low barriers are at work. Hence, one of the key objectives is to uncover how QMT, where reactions occur through and not over barriers, controls chemical reactivity and selectivity.
Research Goals
A second goal is the examination of cryogenic reactions of hydroxycarbenes or enols with carbonyl compounds. Our methods include:
- Organic synthesis of starting materials (also isotopically labelled) and products.
- Infrared as well as ultraviolet/visible matrix-isolation spectroscopy.
- Ab initio computations of structures, spectra, and potential energy surfaces.
- QMT rate calculations.
Isotope-Selective Reactions
We will examine isotope-selective reactions of competing QMT reactions that can be made selective through strategic isotope incorporation. QMT also offers new ways to activate carbon dioxide and even to catalyze reactions.
Proposed Synthesis
We propose a unifying synthesis of carbohydrates and alpha-amino acids through a common mechanistic scenario, namely a newly discovered hetero-carbonyl-ene reaction of carbenes or enols in the gas phase.
Exploration of Non-Equilibrium Chemistry
Finally, chemistry far from thermodynamic equilibrium is explored by probing the activation and reaction of highly stable molecules under irradiation with energetic electrons, thereby mimicking conditions of the interstellar medium exposed to galactic cosmic rays. This should shed light on the formation of larger “complex organic molecules” found in this medium and often considered as building blocks for life.
Financiële details & Tijdlijn
Financiële details
Subsidiebedrag | € 2.493.529 |
Totale projectbegroting | € 2.493.529 |
Tijdlijn
Startdatum | 1-9-2022 |
Einddatum | 31-8-2027 |
Subsidiejaar | 2022 |
Partners & Locaties
Projectpartners
- JUSTUS-LIEBIG-UNIVERSITAET GIESSENpenvoerder
Land(en)
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Chemical Transformations in the Inter-Stellar Medium: Photochemical Processes
This project aims to develop new theoretical tools in quantum chemistry to model the dynamics of large excited molecules in the interstellar medium, enhancing our understanding of its unique chemistry.
LIght for controlling Reactive Interactions in COld molecules
The LIRICO project aims to control chemical reactions in ultracold molecules using high-finesse optical cavities, enabling advanced quantum applications and novel molecular quantum technologies.
Investigating Quantum Stereodynamics in COld REactive Scattering
This project aims to achieve fully-controlled molecular reactions at the quantum level by combining advanced techniques for precise manipulation and detection of reactants and products.
Ultracold polyatomic molecules for controlled chemistry and precision physics
This project aims to explore ultracold polyatomic molecules for advanced quantum simulations and precision measurements, enhancing our understanding of chemistry and physics through novel cooling techniques.
the Onset of Prebiotic chEmistry iN Space
The OPENS project aims to identify prebiotic molecules in the interstellar medium to enhance understanding of life's origins on Earth and the potential for life elsewhere in the universe.