Matrix isolation and photorearrangement of cis- and trans-1,2-ethenediol to glycolaldehyde?

Chemical Communications Pub Date: 2023-01-27 DOI: 10.1039/D2CC06331J

Abstract

1,2-Ethenediols are deemed key intermediates in prebiotic and interstellar syntheses of carbohydrates. Here we present the gas-phase synthesis of these enediols, the high-energy tautomers of glycolaldehyde, trapped in cryogenic argon matrices. Importantly, upon photolysis at λ = 180–254 nm, the enols rearrange to the simplest sugar glycolaldehyde.

Graphical abstract: Matrix isolation and photorearrangement of cis- and trans-1,2-ethenediol to glycolaldehyde
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