Elementary Reactions and Their Role in Gas-Phase Prebiotic Chemistry

Elementary Reactions and Their Role in Gas-Phase Prebiotic Chemistry

The formation of complex organic molecules in a reactor filled with gaseous mixtures possibly reproducing the primitive terrestrial atmosphere and ocean demonstrated more than 50 years ago that inorganic synthesis of prebiotic molecules is possible, provided that some form of energy is provided to the system. After that groundbreaking experiment, gas-phase prebiotic molecules have been observed...

Prebiotic chemistry themed issue

Femtosecond lasers in gas phase chemistry.

This critical review is intended to provide an overview of the state-of-the-art in femtosecond laser technology and recent applications in ultrafast gas phase chemical dynamics. Although "femtochemistry" is not a new subject, there have been some tremendous advances in experimental techniques during the last few years. Time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy and ultrafast electron diffraction ...

Superelectrophilic chemistry in the gas phase*

Superelectrophilic chemistry in the gas phase is driven by the high intrinsic reactivity of dications. The formation of new doubly charged products proceeds via highly internally excited intermediates. Conditions for the formation of the doubly charged intermediates and a “cooling principle” in the reactivity of dications are explained. The reactivity is demonstrated with several examples.

Gas-phase radical chemistry in the troposphere.

Atmospheric free radicals are low concentration, relatively fast reacting species whose influence is felt throughout the atmosphere. Reactive radicals have a key role in maintaining a balanced atmospheric composition through their central function in controlling the oxidative capacity of the atmosphere. In this tutorial review, the chemistry of three main groups of atmospheric radicals HO(x), N...