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Computation of Atmospheric Concentrations of Molecular Clusters from ab initio Thermochemistry
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Astronomical chemistry.

William Klemperer1

  • 1Department of Chemistry, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA. klemperer@chemistry.harvard.edu

Annual Review of Physical Chemistry
|December 7, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The discovery of polar molecules in space reveals a universe far more molecular than previously thought. Understanding interstellar molecule formation requires detailed chemical kinetics, especially ion-molecule reactions.

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Area of Science:

  • Astrochemistry
  • Radio Astronomy
  • Interstellar Medium Physics

Background:

  • The interstellar medium (ISM) was once considered primarily atomic.
  • Radio astronomy has detected polar polyatomic molecules in dense ISM regions.
  • This discovery shifts our cosmic view towards a highly molecular universe.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss models of interstellar molecule formation and destruction.
  • To highlight the importance of chemical kinetics in understanding these processes.
  • To emphasize the role of ion-molecule reactions in the low-temperature ISM.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of rotational emission spectra from polar polyatomic molecules.
  • Application of detailed chemical kinetics models.
  • Utilizing radio astronomy observations to identify molecular emitters.

Main Results:

  • Confirmed the prevalence of polar polyatomic molecules in dense ISM regions.
  • Demonstrated the necessity of non-equilibrium thermodynamics for molecule formation models.
  • Observed abundant positive and negative molecular ions, serving as benchmarks for chemical kinetics.

Conclusions:

  • Interstellar chemistry is complex, requiring detailed kinetic studies.
  • Ion-molecule reactions are crucial for molecule formation in the cold ISM.
  • Larger interstellar molecules (over five atoms) are predominantly organic.