Study of intra and intermolecularly H-bonded molecules and aggregates trapped in cryogenic matrices

Abstract

The Hydrogen Bond, or the "Bond of Life”, is ubiquitous. Its presence is key to processes on Earth especially in water and aqueous systems, but also in the atmosphere, in mixed water/organic molecules or aggregates as well as the Interstellar Medium (ISM), where water is predominantly observed in the form of Amorphous Solid Water (ASW). This special bond is of primary importance in the organization of living organisms, and certainly played a fundamental role in the emergence of life. We have investigated the effects of selective IR (OPO laser) irradiations on Amorphous Solid Water (ASW) surface molecules.