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Versatile CO2 Transformations into Complex Products: A One-pot Two-step Strategy
Published on: November 9, 2019
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Methanetriol─Formation of an Impossible Molecule
Joshua H Marks1,2, Xilin Bai3, Anatoliy A Nikolayev4
1Department of Chemistry, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, United States.
Journal of the American Chemical Society
|April 17, 2024
Summary
Researchers synthesized and detected methanetriol (CH(OH)3), an elusive atmospheric intermediate, for the first time. This breakthrough enhances understanding of atmospheric oxidation chemistry and related molecules.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Physical Organic Chemistry
Background:
- Orthocarboxylic acids are vital reactive intermediates in atmospheric aerosol cycles.
- Free orthocarboxylic acids are elusive due to short lifetimes and dehydration to carboxylic acids.
- Methanetriol (CH(OH)3), the simplest orthocarboxylic acid, has never been experimentally detected.
Purpose of the Study:
- To achieve the first synthesis and experimental detection of methanetriol.
- To investigate the stability and chemical properties of methanetriol.
- To advance the understanding of atmospheric oxidation chemistry.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of methanetriol in low-temperature ices (methanol and oxygen) under energetic irradiation.
- Gas-phase identification using isomer-selective photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry.
- Confirmation through isotopic substitution studies and photoionization fragment detection, supported by electronic structure calculations.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis and first-time detection of methanetriol (CH(OH)3).
- Demonstrated gas-phase stability of methanetriol, with a significant barrier to unimolecular decomposition.
- Identification of related molecules like hydroxyperoxymethane and hydroxyperoxymethanol.
Conclusions:
- Methanetriol is a stable molecule, contrary to previous predictions.
- This work provides fundamental insights into the chemistry and bonding of methanetriol and related atmospheric oxidants.
- The findings contribute to a better understanding of atmospheric aerosol cycles and oxidation processes.
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