Photodissociation Dynamics of the Cyclohexyl Radical from the 3p Rydberg State at 248 nm

The photodissociation of jet-cooled cyclohexyl was studied by exciting the radicals to their 3p Rydberg state using 248 nm laser light and detecting photoproducts by photofragment translational spectroscopy. Both H-atom loss and dissociation to heavy fragment pairs are observed. The H-atom loss channel exhibits a two-component translational energy distribution. The fast photoproduct component is attributed to impulsive cleavage directly from an excited state, likely the Rydberg 3s state, forming cyclohexene. The slow component is due to statistical decomposition of hot cyclohexyl radicals that internally convert to the ground electronic state prior to H-atom loss. The fast and slow components are present in a ~0.7:1 ratio, similar to findings in other alkyl radicals. Internal conversion to the ground state also leads to ring-opening followed by dissociation to 1-buten-4-yl + ethene in comparable yield to H-loss, with the C₄H₇ fragment containing enough internal energy to dissociate further to butadiene via H-atom loss. A very minor ground-state C₅H₈ + CH₃ channel is observed, attributed predominantly to 1,3-pentadiene formation. The ground-state branching ratios agree well with RRKM calculations, which also predict C₄H₆ + C₂H₅ and C₃H₆ + C₃H₅ channels with similar yield to C₅H₈ + CH₃. If these channels were active it was at levels too low to be observed.

Photodissociation Dynamics of the Cyclohexyl Radical from the 3p Rydberg State at 248 nm

The photodissociation of jet-cooled cyclohexyl was studied by exciting the radicals to their 3p Rydberg state using 248 nm laser light and detecting photoproducts by photofragment translational spectroscopy. Both H-atom loss and dissociation to heavy fragment pairs are observed. The H-atom loss channel exhibits a two-component translational energy distribution. The fast photoproduct component is attributed to impulsive cleavage directly from an excited state, likely the Rydberg 3s state, forming cyclohexene. The slow component is due to statistical decomposition of hot cyclohexyl radicals that internally convert to the ground electronic state prior to H-atom loss. The fast and slow components are present in a ~0.7:1 ratio, similar to findings in other alkyl radicals. Internal conversion to the ground state also leads to ring-opening followed by dissociation to 1-buten-4-yl + ethene in comparable yield to H-loss, with the C₄H₇ fragment containing enough internal energy to dissociate further to butadiene via H-atom loss. A very minor ground-state C₅H₈ + CH₃ channel is observed, attributed predominantly to 1,3-pentadiene formation. The ground-state branching ratios agree well with RRKM calculations, which also predict C₄H₆ + C₂H₅ and C₃H₆ + C₃H₅ channels with similar yield to C₅H₈ + CH₃. If these channels were active it was at levels too low to be observed.

Recent advances in Minisci-type reactions and applications in organic synthesis

Abstract:: Minisci-type reactions have become widely known as reactions that involve the addition of carbon-centered radicals to basic heteroarenes followed by formal hydrogen atom loss. While the originally developed protocols for radical generation remain in active use today, in recent years by a new array of radical generation strategies allow use of a wider variety of radical precursors that often operate under milder and more benign conditions. New transformations based on free radical reactivity are now available to a synthetic chemist looking to utilize a Minisci-type reaction. Radical-generation methods based on photoredox catalysis and electrochemistry, which utilize thermal cleavage or the in situ generation of reactive radical precursors, have become popular approaches. Our review will cover the remarkably literature that has appeared on this topic in recent 5 years, from 2015-01 to 2020-01, in an attempt to provide guidance to the synthetic chemist, on both the challenges that have been overcome and applications in organic synthesis.

PT-symmetric non-Hermitian quantum many-body system using ultracold atoms in an optical lattice with controlled dissipation

We report our realization of a parity–time (PT)-symmetric non-Hermitian many-body system using cold atoms with dissipation. After developing a theoretical framework on PT-symmetric many-body systems using ultracold atoms in an optical lattice with controlled dissipation, we describe our experimental setup utilizing one-body atom loss as dissipation with special emphasis on calibration of important system parameters. We discuss loss dynamics observed experimentally.

Photolysis-induced scrambling of PAHs as a mechanism for deuterium storage

Aims. We investigate the possible role of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a sink for deuterium in the interstellar medium (ISM) and study UV photolysis as a potential underlying chemical process in the variations of the deuterium fractionation in the ISM. Methods. The UV photo-induced fragmentation of various isotopologs of deuterium-enriched, protonated anthracene and phenanthrene ions (both C14H10 isomers) was recorded in a Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer. Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy using the Free-Electron Laser for Infrared eXperiments was applied to provide IR spectra. Infrared spectra calculated using density functional theory were compared to the experimental data to identify the isomers present in the experiment. Transition-state energies and reaction rates were also calculated and related to the experimentally observed fragmentation product abundances. Results. The photofragmentation mass spectra for both UV and IRMPD photolysis only show the loss of atomic hydrogen from [D − C14H10]+, whereas [H − C14D10]+ shows a strong preference for the elimination of deuterium. Transition state calculations reveal facile 1,2-H and -D shift reactions, with associated energy barriers lower than the energy supplied by the photo-excitation process. Together with confirmation of the ground-state structures via the IR spectra, we determined that the photolytic processes of the two different PAHs are largely governed by scrambling where the H and the D atoms relocate between different peripheral C atoms. The ∼0.1 eV difference in zero-point energy between C–H and C–D bonds ultimately leads to faster H scrambling than D scrambling, and increased H atom loss compared to D atom loss. Conclusions. We conclude that scrambling is common in PAH cations under UV radiation. Upon photoexcitation of deuterium-enriched PAHs, the scrambling results in a higher probability for the aliphatic D atom to migrate to a strongly bound aromatic site, protecting it from elimination. We speculate that this could lead to increased deuteration as a PAH moves towards more exposed interstellar environments. Also, large, compact PAHs with an aliphatic C–HD group on solo sites might be responsible for the majority of aliphatic C–D stretching bands seen in astronomical spectra. An accurate photochemical model of PAHs that considers deuterium scrambling is needed to study this further.

PERIODATE OXIDATION OF PEG–600, AN ESSENTIAL PHARMACEUTICAL POLYMER

Objective: To study the kinetics of periodate oxidation of polyethylene glycol-600 (PEG-600), a familiar non-toxic polymer used in pharmaceutical and other fields of industry. Methods: Reactions were carried out in alkaline medium and measured the kinetics by iodometry. One oxygen atom loss or two electrons transfer was observed per each molecule of periodate i.e., the rate of reaction was measured periodate converts to iodate because the formed iodate species is unable to oxidize the substrate molecules. Results: Based on log (a-x) versus t plots, order w. r. t. oxidant (periodate) is unity. Reactions were found to be independent of substrate (PEG-600) concentration. A decrease in rate with an increase in alkali concentration [OH–] was found and order was inverse fractional. Temperature dependence of reaction rate was studied and then calculated the corresponding Arrhenius parameters. Conclusion: An appropriate rate law was proposed by considering the above experimental results.

Quantum gas microscopy of Rydberg macrodimers

The subnanoscale size of typical diatomic molecules hinders direct optical access to their constituents. Rydberg macrodimers—bound states of two highly excited Rydberg atoms—feature interatomic distances easily exceeding optical wavelengths. We report the direct microscopic observation and detailed characterization of such molecules in a gas of ultracold rubidium atoms in an optical lattice. The bond length of about 0.7 micrometers, comparable to the size of small bacteria, matches the diagonal distance of the lattice. By exciting pairs in the initial two-dimensional atom array, we resolved more than 50 vibrational resonances. Using our spatially resolved detection, we observed the macrodimers by correlated atom loss and demonstrated control of the molecular alignment by the choice of the vibrational state. Our results allow for rigorous testing of Rydberg interaction potentials and highlight the potential of quantum gas microscopy for molecular physics.