Chemistry of star-forming regions

The space between stars is not empty but contains gas-phase and particulate matter under varying conditions. Neutral matter is found mainly in large regions of the interstellar medium known as "clouds", the largest of which, termed "giant molecular clouds", are essentially molecular in nature. Stars and planetary systems form inside these giant clouds when portions collapse and heat up. The details of the collapse can be followed by observation of the chemical changes in the molecular composition of the gas and dust particles. Moreover, an understanding of the chemical processes yields much information on the time scales and histories of the assorted stages. Among the most recent additions to our chemical knowledge of star formation are a deeper understanding of isotopic fractionation, especially involving deuterium, and a realization that the role of neutral-neutral reactions is more salient than once thought possible.