Experimental evidence for the role of the pi(CO)* orbital in electron transfer to gas phase acetic acid CH3CO2H: effects of molecular orientation.
Electron transfer from K atoms to oriented acetic acid molecules produces acetate ions (and K(+)) when the CO(2)H end of the molecule is attacked. The electron enters the pi(CO)(*) orbital and the donor atom distorts the molecule to allow migration to the sigma(OH)(*) orbital, thereby breaking the bond.
Brooks
Philip R
PR
Department of Chemistry and Rice Quantum Institute, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77251, USA. brooks@python.rice.edu
D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D004583:Electrons; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D005740:Gases; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; D019342:Acetic Acid