title: Theoretical investigation of the isomerization of trans-HCOH to H2CO: an example of a water-catalyzed reaction.
abstract: A concerted hydrogen atom transfer mechanism has been elucidated for the isomerization of trans-HCOH to H(2)CO using a variety of ab initio and density functional theory methods. This work places specific emphasis on the role water molecules can play as a catalyst for this reaction and the mechanism by which this is achieved. This is of particular importance in the context of molecular ices in the interstellar medium because the presence of water in this reaction reduces the activation energy by at least 80%, which is accompanied by a significant enhancement of the reaction rate, at ≤300 K.
authors: Laboratoire de Physique des Lasers, Atomes et Molécules (PhLAM), UMR CNRS 8523, Université Lille 1, Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex 59655, France.
authors: Phillip S
authors: PS
authors: Peters
authors: Denis
authors: D
authors: Duflot
authors: Alexandre
authors: A
authors: Faure
authors: Claudine
authors: C
authors: Kahane
authors: Cecilia
authors: C
authors: Ceccarelli
authors: Laurent
authors: L
authors: Wiesenfeld
authors: Céline
authors: C
authors: Toubin