Around 200 molecules have been observed in the interstellar medium; almost half containing six or more atoms and considered “complex by astronomical standards. All of these complex molecules consist of at least one carbon atom and thus the term complex organic molecules (COMs) has been coined by the astrochemical community. In order to understand the formation and destruction of these COMs under the extreme conditions of star-forming regions, laboratory efforts to produce quantitative kinetic data for gas-phase reactions at low temperatures play a key role. The use of the CRESU (Cinétique de Réaction en Ecoulement Supersonique Uniforme, or Reaction Kinetics in Uniform Supersonic Flow) technique has enabled us to show that many neutral-neutral gas-phase reactions may be rapid down to the temperatures of dense interstellar clouds (10—20 K), as well as proving an exacting test for theory. Rate coefficients have been measured as low as 6 K for the reaction S(1D) + H2 and 11 K for the prototypical reaction F + H2 ® HF + H where quantum mechanical tunneling dominates at low temperatures. The technique is based upon the expansion of gases via convergent-divergent Laval nozzles to create a cold uniform supersonic flow, where strongly supersaturated conditions prevail, enabling the study of even highly condensable gases down to the temperatures prevailing in dense interstellar clouds. Recent measurements of the rate coefficients of reactions of relevance to COMs formation and destruction will be presented. Chemical kinetics under low temperature will be useful for designing and interpreting chemical experimentations in space.

Experimental gas-phase reaction kinetics studies for space chemistry

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.