Star-forming cores known as "hot cores" are particularly rich in so-called complex organic molecules; the Galactic Center source Sagittarius B2(N) has historically been the go-to source for microwave detections of new or unusual chemical species, partly due to its enormous column density of material. Many of the molecules detected toward Sgr B2(N) are rotationally "hot", with excitation temperatures well above 100 K, indicating that at least some of them have a direct origin in the ice mantles that form on interstellar dust grains and which are sublimated during the warm-up of a star-forming core.<br/><br/>The ongoing detection of new molecules with the ALMA telescope presents its own challenges to astrochemical kinetics models, requiring ever more complex reaction networks. Meanwhile, the detection of certain complex molecules at very low temperatures has required a re-think of the fundamental mathematical treatments we use to simulate grain-surface and ice chemistry in space.<br/><br/>I will provide a modeler's perspective on the challenges and recent successes in explaining the presence of an ever increasing menagerie of interstellar molecules. I will also identify areas in which astrochemical kinetics models are presently lacking, including in the treatment of inorganic and metallic species.

Modeling new and unusual chemical species in star-forming regions

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.