Work

Cryogenic Bottom-up Formation of the Benzene Cation from Acetylene in Helium Nanodroplets

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: product as the benzene radical cation. This is consistent with quantum-chemical calculations that predict a reaction pathway that is barrierless in both steps. These results establish a low-temperature route to the formation of the first aromatic ring in very cold condensed phases, which may impact our understanding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formation in the interstellar medium.

Source: Journal of the American Chemical Society

DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6c04278

Authors: Florian Foitzik, Vincent Richardson, Colombe Maurice, Gabriel Schöpfer, Milan Ončák, Elisabeth Gruber

Institutions: Universität Innsbruck, University of Liverpool, Université Paris-Saclay

Language: English

Topic: Quantum, superfluid, helium dynamics

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500

Funders: University of Liverpool, European Cooperation in Science and Technology, Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, Austrian Science Fund