In interstellar chemistry, hydrocarbon radicals are found as intermediates in larger hydrocarbon reactions.  While the exact chemistry of these reactions is unknown, a radical that has been predicted to participate in these interstellar reactions is the 2-butyn-1-yl radical.  The goal of this project was to isolate and spectroscopically characterize this radical through matrix isolation FTIR.  To do this, 1-bromo-2-butyne was pyrolyzed in the gas phase at 800 K, and the products were deposited in a low temperature argon matrix.  Vibrational spectra were obtained using FTIR, then Gaussian calculations were done and compared to the vibrational bands found in experimental spectra to establish if the 2-butyn-1-yl radical was formed.  Being able to isolate and analyze this radical in a laboratory environment serves as a benchmark for research concerning radical detection in the interstellar medium and planetary atmospheres.

Spectroscopic study of a C<sub>4</sub>H<sub>5</sub> radical: 2-butyn-1-yl

255th National Meeting (2018)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

Spectroscopic study of a C4H5 radical: 2-butyn-1-yl

Spectroscopic study of a C₄H₅ radical: 2-butyn-1-yl