2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report
Expanding molecular synthesis space with laser shock waves
Project/Area Number |
22K18980
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Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)
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Allocation Type | Multi-year Fund |
Review Section |
Medium-sized Section 30:Applied physics and engineering and related fields
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Research Institution | Tohoku University |
Principal Investigator |
Sato Shunichi 東北大学, 多元物質科学研究所, 教授 (30162431)
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Project Period (FY) |
2022-06-30 – 2024-03-31
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Keywords | レーザー衝撃波 / 原子間結合 / アミノ酸 |
Outline of Final Research Achievements |
The aim was to expand the scope of application of the new molecular synthesis method by increasing the number of target atoms for the method of mechanically bonding molecules in liquids using laser shock waves. When methanol was used as a sample, the generation of new molecules through the bonding of carbon and oxygen was confirmed. Its main component, methoxymethanol, was concentrated by distillation, and an infrared absorption spectrum was successfully obtained in the liquid state. The generation of molecules through carbon-oxygen bonds was also confirmed for ethanol. The generation of four types of hemiacetals was confirmed from a mixture of methanol and ethanol. Furthermore, experiments were carried out on amines containing nitrogen, and the generation of amino acids (glycine and alanine) was confirmed as predicted in a mixture of amines and formic acid.
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Free Research Field |
光工学
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Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements |
本研究では、衝撃波の高い圧力によって分子間距離が縮まり、それらの原子同士が結合して新たな分子が生成される過程が、炭素だけでなく、酸素や窒素でも生じることを明らかにした。また、この過程では、出発分子のほとんどの部分が新たな分子に受け継がれるため、より大きな分子が生成される。従って、この高圧による分子生成過程は、隕石の衝突や惑星の形成過程でもアミノ酸を含む生体構成分子が生成され得ることを示唆しており、生命の起源の解明に新たな糸口を開くものと期待される。
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