High-pressure chemical reactions diamond anvil cell

Understanding energy release in terms of thermodynamic cycles ignores the important question of the time scale of reaction. The kinetics of even simple molecules under high pressure conditions is not well understood. Diamond anvil cell and shock experiments promise to provide insight into chemical reactivity under extreme conditions. 

GPa. MeOH froze at 5 GPa. An attempt to carry on the sound speed study along a 325°C isotherm was thwarted by chemical reaction toward products that may include water, ethane, methane, diamond, and perhaps formaldehyde. Nonetheless, the diamond anvil cell provides a unique opportunity to study the chemical kinetics of fluids under extremely high pressures. 

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