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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
11:34
Scattering And Absorption of Light in Planetary Regoliths
Published on: July 1, 2019
Establishing a molecular relationship between chondritic and cometary organic solids
George D Cody1, Emily Heying, Conel M O Alexander
1Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5251 Broad Branch Road NW, Washington, DC 20015, USA. gcody@ciw.edu
Summary
Chondritic insoluble organic matter (IOM) shares molecular similarities with formaldehyde polymers. This suggests extraterrestrial organics, including those in meteorites and comets, may originate from formaldehyde polymerization. Nanospherules in polymers resemble meteorite nanoglobules.
Area of Science:
- Astrochemistry
- Organic Geochemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Insoluble organic matter (IOM) in meteorites provides clues to early solar system chemistry.
- Understanding the origins of extraterrestrial organic compounds is crucial for astrobiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify functional groups in Murchison meteorite IOM.
- To investigate the potential of formaldehyde polymerization as a source for extraterrestrial organic matter.
- To compare experimental formaldehyde polymers with extraterrestrial organic solids.
Main Methods:
- Multidimensional solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
- Carbon X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy.
- Experimental polymerization of formaldehyde.
Main Results:
- Murchison IOM contains substituted aromatics, furan/pyran moieties, branched aliphatics, and carbonyl groups.
- Aqueous formaldehyde polymer exhibits significant structural similarity to chondritic IOM.
- Formaldehyde polymer shares functional groups with comet and interplanetary dust organic solids.
- Experimental polymers display nanospherules comparable to meteorite nanoglobules.
Conclusions:
- Chondritic IOM and cometary refractory organics are likely derived from formaldehyde polymers.
- Formaldehyde polymerization is a plausible pathway for generating extraterrestrial organic matter.
- Variations in organic functional groups reflect processing histories of extraterrestrial materials.
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