Real-time liquid-phase organic reaction monitoring with mid-infrared attenuated total reflectance dual frequency comb spectroscopy

We combine mid-infrared dual-comb spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance measurements to provide in-situ monitoring of a chemical reaction. The mid-infrared dual-comb spectrometer measures quantitative absorption cross-sections of mesityl oxide and diacetone alcohol in the region of 3300-2700 cm(-1) (3.0-3.7 mu m). Based on these spectra, the system is then used to monitor the hydration of mesityl oxide to diacetone alcohol from which we extract reaction kinetics values. This work shows the potential of dual comb systems to measure and monitor reactions in the condensed phase. (C) 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.