Comprehensive computational automated search of barrierless reactions leading to the formation of benzene and other C6-membered rings

We present the systematic exploration of various potential energy surfaces for systems with C6H6–x (x = 0, 1, 2, or 3) empirical formula using an automatic search approach. The primary objective of this study is to identify reaction pathways that lead to the creation of benzene, o-benzyne, and other...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Castiñeira Reis, Marta, Martínez Núñez, Emilio, Fernández Ramos, Antonio
Format: article
Publication Date:2024
Country:España
Institution:Universidad de Santiago de Compostela (USC)
Repository:Minerva. Repositorio Institucional de la Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:minerva.usc.gal:10347/38248
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10347/38248
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:C6-membered rings
Benzene
Barrierless reactions
2307 Química física
Description
Summary:We present the systematic exploration of various potential energy surfaces for systems with C6H6–x (x = 0, 1, 2, or 3) empirical formula using an automatic search approach. The primary objective of this study is to identify reaction pathways that lead to the creation of benzene, o-benzyne, and other rings. These pathways initiate with a barrierless recombination reaction and involve subsequent isomerization reactions with submerged transition states until the final product is reached. The reported reaction profiles are consistent with the existing conditions in the interstellar medium if the hot complex formed can cool down through radiative relaxation. Recent studies on the deactivation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) support the possibility of these reactions taking place. The C6-membered rings are considered precursors of PAHs, and our focus is on identifying pathways originating from the barrierless recombination of reactive molecules known to exist in the interstellar medium, with potential implications in other environments.