Metastable intermediates from glassy solutions .3. FTIR spectra of alpha-carbonic acid and its H-2 and C-13 isotopic forms, isolated from methanolic solution

Layers of glassy solutions of (KHCO3)-C-12 ((KDCO3)-C-12, (K2CO3)-C-13) and of excess HCl (DCl) dissolved in CH3OH (CH3OD) and in 70 wt.% glycerol-water have been deposited sequentially at 78 K in the form of droplets, and their reaction in the temperature range 78-300 K studied by FTIR spectroscopy (from 4000 to 400 cm(-1)). At ca. 20 K above the glass-transition temperature(T-g) of the solvent, a decrease in viscosity initiated coalescence of the droplets. At ca. 40 K above T-g, protonation of the hydrogen carbonate (carbonate) and formation of H2CO3 occurred in the liquid state. After pumping off the solvent, residual ice and excess HCl, amorphous (H2CO3)-C-12 ((D2CO3)-C-12, (H2CO3)-C-13) was isolated, crystallizing at ca. 190-200 K to alpha-carbonic acid. Assignments for the spectral features of alpha-H2CO3 and its isotopic forms are given. Base pressure, water content and heating rate lead to varying degrees of disorder in the crystalline phase. The cryogenic method for formation of metastable short-lived intermediates from reaction of non-volatile reactants is discussed. The intermediates can be studied in solution or as amorphous or crystalline solids.