NEXAFS : a unique tool to follow the photochemistry of small organic molecules in condensed water

Soft X-ray induced chemistry of simple organic molecules as carbon monoxide (CO), methanol (CH₃OH) and glycine (NH₃CH₂COOH) in water and nitric acid hydrate has been investigated with NEXAFS spectroscopy. In the pure species, extremely high survival rates are observed, a consequence of the back reactions allowed in the condensed phase. When mixed with water, the survival rates are considerably reduced by reaction with the hydroxyl radical (OH). The formation of CO₂ is also enhanced at the expense of CO, the main byproduct in the photolysis of the pure species. Finally, it is shown that water plays no role in the destruction of the amino acid.