Unexpected benzene oxidation in collisions with superoxide anions
Publication Name
Scientific Reports
Abstract
Superoxide anions colliding with benzene molecules at impact energies from 200 to 900 eV are reported for the first time to form massive complexes. With the aid of quantum chemistry calculations, we propose a mechanism in which a sudden double ionization of benzene and the subsequent electrostatic attraction between the dication and the anion form a stable covalently bonded C6H6O2+ molecule, that evolves towards the formation of benzene-diol conformers. These findings lend support to a model presenting a new high energy anion-driven chemistry as an alternative way to form complex molecules.
Open Access Status
This publication may be available as open access
Volume
11
Issue
1
Article Number
23125
Funding Number
PD/00193/2012
Funding Sponsor
European Cooperation in Science and Technology