Ultrafast photoinduced C-H bond formation from two small inorganic molecules.

ABSTRACT: The formation of carbon-hydrogen (C-H) bonds via the reaction of small inorganic molecules is of great significance for understanding the fundamental transition from inorganic to organic matter, and thus the origin of life. Yet, the detailed mechanism of the C-H bond formation, particularly the time scale and molecular-level control of the dynamics, remain elusive. Here, we investigate the light-induced bimolecular reaction starting from a van der Waals molecular dimer composed of two small inorganic molecules, H₂ and CO. Employing reaction microscopy driven by a tailored two-color light field, we identify the pathways leading to C-H photobonding thereby producing HCO⁺ ions, and achieve coherent control over the reaction dynamics. Using a femtosecond pump-probe scheme

SUBMITTER: Jiang Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10987588 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature