Spectroscopic Investigation of the High-Pressure Behavior of Aliphatic Hydrocarbon: Implications for Planetary Processes

Basu, Abhisek; Mookherjee, Mainak; Schiffert, Christina; Haberl, Bianca; Boehler, Reinhard

doi:10.1021/acsearthspacechem.0c00259

Spectroscopic Investigation of the High-Pressure Behavior of Aliphatic Hydrocarbon: Implications for Planetary Processes

Journal Article · Wed Feb 10 00:00:00 EST 2021 · ACS Earth and Space Chemistry

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acsearthspacechem.0c00259· OSTI ID:1766401

^[1]; ^[1]; Schiffert, Christina ^[1]; ^[2]; Boehler, Reinhard ^[2]

Florida State Univ., Tallahassee, FL (United States)
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Octadecane (C₁₈H₃₈) is an aliphatic hydrocarbon that is abundant in carbonaceous chondritic meteorites. It is debated whether these hydrocarbons found in the meteorite are pristine or are a result of subsequent modifications as these meteorites are delivered to the Earth. It is well-known that meteorites are often subjected to extreme pressures and temperatures upon entering the Earth’s atmosphere. To explore the behavior of octadecane at high pressures, that is, how its molecular structure responds to compression, we use a diamond anvil cell in conjunction with Raman spectroscopy. Here, we find that at room temperatures, upon compression to ~5 GPa, a linear-chain octadecane molecule transforms into a bent-chain configuration. Similar transitions from linear to a bent configuration in other hydrocarbons have been documented. We find a linear correlation between the transition pressure from linear to bent configuration, and the chain length of the alkane, that is, longer chain lengths, is likely to be less stable in the linear configuration under compression. These kinks in the bent-chain configuration are likely sites for the dissociation of the longer chain hydrocarbons to smaller hydrocarbons. The octadecane sample examined in this study did not undergo any additional transition to the highest pressure (~18 GPa) explored in this study.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: National Science Foundation (NSF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

OSTI ID:: 1766401

Journal Information:: ACS Earth and Space Chemistry, Journal Name: ACS Earth and Space Chemistry Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 5; ISSN 2472-3452

Publisher:: American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Spectroscopic Investigation of the High-Pressure Behavior of Aliphatic Hydrocarbon: Implications for Planetary Processes

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