Chemistry in the interstellar medium is able to form complex organic molecules (COMs) of great importance to astrobiology. Gas-phase and grain-surface chemistries are the two chemical pathways proposed to the formation of these molecules. The unprecedented sensitivity of current telescopes (e.g. ALMA) is allowing us to detect in star-forming regions a rich variety of COMs, including some families with high astrobiological interest and directly linked to the origin of life (sugars, esters, isocyanates…). In this talk, I will present our recent results searching for prebiotic COMs in the astrochemical templates for high-mass (G31.41+0.31 and W51e2) and low-mass (solar-type) star-forming regions (IRAS16293-2422). We have detected COMs (glycolaldehyde, ethylene glycol, ethyl formate, methyl isocyanate…) which are key to the synthesis of relevant macromolecules such as the DNA or aminoacids. With the help of laboratory works and new developed chemical models, I will discuss how these building blocks of life can be produced in the interstellar medium, confronting the two paradigms proposed: gas-phase and grain-surface processes.

Complex organic molecules in star-forming regions: hot cores and hot corinos

254th National Meeting (2017)

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