aldehydes Archives - Astrobiology

Potential energy profiles for the three abstraction channels in the CH3CH2OH + F reaction. All energies are ZPVE corrected. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

Astrochemistry: A Gas-phase “Top-down” Chemical Link Between Aldehydes And Alcohols

by Keith CowingFebruary 7, 2026February 7, 2026

Alcohols and aldehydes represent two key classes of interstellar complex organic molecules (COMs). This work seeks to better understand their possible chemical connections, with a focus on such molecules in […]

The most stable structures of formaldehyde, thioformaldehyde, and their corresponding radicals as precursors, along with the monohydric alcohols and thiol analogues. -- Red, white, grey, and yellow balls represent Oxygen, Hydrogen, Carbon, and Sulfur atoms, respectively. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

Binding Energy Distributions Of Alcohols, Thiols, And Their Precursors On Interstellar Water Ice Surfaces

by Keith CowingSeptember 4, 2025September 4, 2025

Binding energy (BE) is a critical parameter in astrochemical modeling, governing the retention of species on interstellar dust grains and their subsequent chemical evolution.

Acetaldehyde integrated intensity maps at Band 7 (left) and Band 4 (right). The synthesized beam is shown in the bottom left corner. The contour levels are (5,10) × sigma (σ=0.07 Jy/beam km/s) and the contour derived from the Band 7 data is overlaid on the Band 4 map for comparison. Green dots mark the AA peak positions determined from a 2-D Gaussian fitting of the map in the left panel. Velocity vectors representing the proper motion of source I and n are shown as gray arrows. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Press Release

The Robust Detection And Spatial Distribution Of Acetaldehyde In Orion KL: ALMA Observations And Chemical Modeling

by Keith CowingMarch 27, 2025March 27, 2025

Despite the organic molecule inventory detected in Orion KL, acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) — one of the most ubiquitous interstellar aldehydes — has not been firmly identified with mm-wave interferometry.

L- lactaldehyde -- Wikipedia

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

Interstellar Formation of Lactaldehyde, A Key Intermediate in the Methylglyoxal Pathway

by Keith CowingDecember 31, 2024December 31, 2024

Aldehydes are ubiquitous in star-forming regions and carbonaceous chondrites, serving as essential intermediates in metabolic pathways and molecular mass growth processes to vital biomolecules necessary for the origins of life.

A close-up of Apollo 17 lunar core sample 73001 being taken out of its drive tube for the first time since it was collected by Apollo astronauts in December 1972 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Credits: NASA/Robert Markowitz

Artemis & Lunar Exploration, Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Exploration Gear & Tech, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Missions & Hardware, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Sample Return, Status Report

Sample Return Contamination? Soluble Organic Compounds and Cyanide in Apollo 17 Lunar Samples: Origins and Curation Effects

by Keith CowingJune 9, 2024June 9, 2024

We analyzed twelve Apollo 17 samples through the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) program to determine the abundances of a variety of compound classes, including amino acids, aldehydes, ketones, […]