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HACA's Heritage: A Free‐Radical Pathway to Phenanthrene in Circumstellar Envelopes of Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars

Journal Article · · Angewandte Chemie
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [4]
  1. Department of Chemistry University of Hawai'i at Manoa Honolulu HI 96822 USA
  2. Chemical Sciences Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Berkeley CA 94720 USA
  3. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Florida International University Miami FL 33199 USA
  4. Department of Physics Samara National Research University Samara 443086 Russian Federation
Abstract

The hydrogen‐abstraction/acetylene‐addition (HACA) mechanism has been central for the last decades in attempting to rationalize the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as detected in carbonaceous meteorites such as in Murchison. Nevertheless, the basic reaction mechanisms leading to the formation of even the simplest tricyclic PAHs like anthracene and phenanthrene are still elusive. Here, by exploring the previously unknown chemistry of the ortho ‐biphenylyl radical with acetylene, we deliver compelling evidence on the efficient synthesis of phenanthrene in carbon‐rich circumstellar environments. However, the lack of formation of the anthracene isomer implies that HACA alone cannot be responsible for the formation of PAHs in extreme environments. Considering the overall picture, alternative pathways such as vinylacetylene‐mediated reactions are required to play a crucial role in the synthesis of complex PAHs in circumstellar envelopes of dying carbon‐rich stars.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
NONE; FG02-04ER15570; FG02-03ER15411; AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
1377931
Journal Information:
Angewandte Chemie, Journal Name: Angewandte Chemie Journal Issue: 16 Vol. 129; ISSN 0044-8249
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
Germany
Language:
English

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HACA's Heritage: A Free-Radical Pathway to Phenanthrene in Circumstellar Envelopes of Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars
Journal Article · Wed Mar 22 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Angewandte Chemie (International Edition) · OSTI ID:1464146

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