Scientific Achievement
Acetonitrile, one of the most stable nitriles, can be converted to a graphitic polymer at room temperature using pressure rather than high temperature catalysis.
Significance and Impact
Pressure-induced chemical transformations open new reaction pathways that lead to the formation of unique products.
Research Details
– Reactions usually happen on the C≡N triple bond while the C-H bond is very inert and can only be activated by a very strong base or a metal catalyst.
– Applying the pressure at room temperature, the hydrogen atom transfer takes place from the carbon to nitrogen atom along the hydrogen bond to form a dimmer, 1D chain, and 2D nanoribbon.
H. Zheng, K. Li, G. Cody, C.A. Tulk, X. Dong G. Gao, J.J. Molaison, Z. Liu, M. Feygenson, W. Yang, I.N. Ivanov, L.Basile, J-C. Idrobo, M. Guthrie, Ho-k. Mao, “Polymerization of Acetonitrile via a Hydrogen Transfer Reaction from CH3 to CN under Extreme Conditions,” Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., 55, 1 (2016). DOI: 10.1002/anie.201606198
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