The chemistry of metal-ions is well understood in terrestrial chemistry. However in the Interstellar medium (ISM), a lot of interesting and open questions pertaining to the role of metal-ions in assisting molecular evolution are yet to be adequately addressed. Some such prominent questions include: (a) Is it even meaningful to think of metal-ions mediating interstellar gas-phase reactions in the context of gas-phase metal depletion in the ISM? (b) How feasible are metal-ion mediated interstellar gas-phase reactions from a chemical perspective? (c) What are the possible states (viz. bare/bound to a counteranion/bonded with a water molecule) that a metal-ion may participate in interstellar gas-phase chemical reactions, (d) What astrochemical conditions favor the participation of the metal-ions in interstellar chemistey, and (e) how does metal-ion chemistry vary between terrestrial and interstellar chemistry? This presentation features an account of our computational research work attempting to answer the aforementioned questions which are overall posited to aid in the advancement of organometallic astrochemistry.

Plausible role of main group metal-ions in furthering molecular evolution in the interstellar medium

Fall 2022 abstracts, posters, and presentations will launch in mid-September.

ACS Fall 2022

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