Direct Observation of the Forming Process of Chemical Bonds by a Short Pulse of XFEL

Abstract

In this work, using an X-ray free electron laser, we visualize in real time the birth of a gold trimer complex that occurs via photoinduced formation of Au-Au covalent bonds by the femtosecond timeresolved X-ray solution scattering. This work demonstrates that it is possible to track in detail and in real time the structural changes that occur during a chemical reaction in solution using X-ray freeelectron lasers and advanced analysis of time-resolved solution scattering data.