The Role of Hydrogen Cyanide in Chemical Evolution
Abstract
Two major research areas are investigated: The
electrosynthesis of hydrogen cyanide; and the role of
cyanocomplexes in the free - radical oligomerization of
hydrogen cyanide.
The electric discharge production of hydrogen
cyanide from a simulated primitive atmosphere composed
of methane, nitrogen and water vapor was investigated.
The radiation chemical yield (G) of formation of HCN was determined to be 0.26. A free radical mechanism
was proposed to account for the observed chemical
changes. Computer simulations of the reaction
mechanism could effectively model the early stages of
electrolysis of the gas mixture, and permitted the
estimation of the rate of electrosynthesis of hydrogen
cyanide under various atmospheric conditions .
The possible role of cyanocomplexes of transition
elements on the free- radical oligomerization of
hydrogen cyanide was investigated. Aqueous, oxygenfree,
dilute solutions of hydrogen cyanide and hexacyanoferrate(II) or (III) were submitted to various
doses of gamma irradiation. The presence of either
cyanocomplex led to a significant decrease in the rate
of decomposition of hydrogen cyanide. The major
products were ammonia and carbon dioxide . Computer
simulations of these systems permitted the elucidation
of the reaction mechanism and the derivation of rates
of reactions of free- radicals with the cyanocomplexes.
The results obtained provide an insight into the possible
role of cyanocomplexes of transition elements in
chemical evolution.