| 1. |
- Ahn, Chi Woo, et al.
(author)
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Direct Observation of a Transiently Formed Isomer During lodoform Photolysis in Solution by Time-Resolved X-ray Liquidography
- 2018
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In: The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1948-7185. ; 9:3, s. 647-653
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Photolysis of iodoform (CHI3) in solution has been extensively studied, but its reaction mechanism remains elusive. In particular, iso-iodoform (iso-CHI2-I) is formed as a product of the photolysis reaction, but its detailed structure is not known, and whether it is a major intermediate species has been controversial. Here, by using time-resolved X-ray liquidography, we determined the reaction mechanism of CHI3 photodissociation in cyclohexane as well as the structure of iso-CHI2-I. Both iso-CHI2-I and CHI2 radical were found to be formed within 100 ps with a branching ratio of 40:60. Iodine radicals (I), formed during the course of CHI3 photolysis, recombine nongeminately with either CHI2 or I. Based on our structural analysis, the I-I distance and the C-I-I angle of iso-CHI2-I were determined to be 2.922 +/- 0.004 angstrom and 133.9 +/- 0.8 degrees, respectively.
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| 2. |
- Van Driel, Tim B., et al.
(author)
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Atomistic characterization of the active-site solvation dynamics of a model photocatalyst
- 2016
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The interactions between the reactive excited state of molecular photocatalysts and surrounding solvent dictate reaction mechanisms and pathways, but are not readily accessible to conventional optical spectroscopic techniques. Here we report an investigation of the structural and solvation dynamics following excitation of a model photocatalytic molecular system [Ir 2 (dimen) 4 ] 2+, where dimen is para-diisocyanomenthane. The time-dependent structural changes in this model photocatalyst, as well as the changes in the solvation shell structure, have been measured with ultrafast diffuse X-ray scattering and simulated with Born-Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics. Both methods provide direct access to the solute-solvent pair distribution function, enabling the solvation dynamics around the catalytically active iridium sites to be robustly characterized. Our results provide evidence for the coordination of the iridium atoms by the acetonitrile solvent and demonstrate the viability of using diffuse X-ray scattering at free-electron laser sources for studying the dynamics of photocatalysis.
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