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Carbon Chain Formation under Simulated Circumstellar Conditions
Di Wu1, Yunkai Li1, Haotian Ying1
1State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|February 16, 2026
Summary
Laboratory experiments reveal that rapid radical reactions of C2nH with unsaturated hydrocarbons drive the formation of long-chain polyynes, crucial carbon-chain molecules in interstellar chemistry. This study simulates interstellar molecule formation, including fullerenes.
Area of Science:
- Astrochemistry
- Laboratory Astrophysics
- Mass Spectrometry
Background:
- Carbon-chain molecules are vital precursors and indicators in interstellar chemistry.
- The formation mechanisms of carbon chains and the role of radicals (•CnH) in circumstellar envelopes (CSEs) are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation pathways of interstellar carbon-chain molecules.
- To elucidate the role of radicals in the growth of chemical complexity in CSEs.
- To simulate interstellar molecule formation, including long-chain polyynes and fullerenes, in a laboratory setting.
Main Methods:
- Development and application of an ultrahigh temperature pyrolysis photoionization/electron ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UT-Py-PI/EI-TOFMS).
- Laboratory astrophysics simulation experiments to study molecule formation.
Main Results:
- Detection of various long-chain polyyne molecules, indicating rapid radical reactions (•C2nH with unsaturated hydrocarbons) are key to their growth.
- Successful simulation of carbon-chain molecule formation in AGB star envelopes.
- Reproduction of other interstellar molecules, such as fullerenes, in laboratory experiments.
Conclusions:
- Rapid radical reactions are confirmed as a primary mechanism for long-chain polyyne growth in CSEs.
- Laboratory simulations provide valuable insights into the formation processes of interstellar molecules.
- The study supports the role of carbon chains in understanding interstellar physical conditions and chemical evolution.
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