Nitriles Archives - Astrobiology

Proposed reaction network for the radiolysis of PCN:N2 ice by 40 MeV 40Ar9+ ions at 10 K. The scheme summarizes the main fragmentation, radical recombination, isomerization, and nitrogen incorporation pathways inferred from the infrared identifications and kinetic analysis. The radicals shown in the "Primary fragmentation" box are representative examples of how reactive intermediates are inferred from the experimental results and do not constitute an exhaustive list of all fragments produced during irradiation. -- [astro-ph.EP]

Formation Of Nitriles And Isonitriles By The Heavy-ion Irradiation Of Propionitrile In N2-rich Astrophysical Ices

by Keith CowingAugust 6, 2026August 7, 2026

[astro-ph.EP] Context. Nitriles are key nitrogen-bearing organic molecules in dense clouds, star-forming regions, and nitrogen-rich icy environments. Understanding their stability and chemical evolution under energetic processing is essential for understanding […]

IRAS 16293-2422 b -- European Southern Observatory

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

The Interstellar Heritage Of Comets

by Keith CowingSeptember 30, 2025September 30, 2025

Comets have similar compositions to interstellar medium ices, suggesting at least some of their molecules maybe inherited from an earlier stage of evolution.

A schematic representation of the scenario we propose here for clean, high-yield production of prebiotic feedstock. Events move around clockwise from the top left: First, the Earth has a neutral atmosphere. This is reduced following a giant impact at 4.3 Ga by oxidation of the impactor’s metal core to produce a massive H2 atmosphere with significant methane and ammonia. This atmosphere quickly cools (in

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Drawing A Line Back To The Origin Of Life On Earth

by Keith CowingApril 19, 2024April 19, 2024

Scientists in Cambridge University suggest molecules, vital to the development of life, could have formed from a process known as graphitisation. Once verified in the laboratory, it could allow us […]

A schematic representation of the scenario we propose here for clean high-yield production of prebiotic feedstock. Events move around from top left clockwise: first Earth has a neutral atmosphere; this is reduced following giant impact at 4.3 Ga by oxidation of the impactor’s metal core to produce a massive H2 atmosphere with significant methane and ammonia; This atmosphere quickly cools (in < 1 kyr) with photochemistry producing a tholin-rich haze that deposits complex nitrogen-rich organics; these organics become progressively buried and graphitized by interaction with magma, the atmosphere clears as H2 is lost to space and becomes neutral again; finally, magmatic gases interact with the graphite, and are scrubbed to produce high yields of clean HCN, HC3N and isonitriles. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrogeology, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Impact events, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report

A Surface Hydrothermal Source of Nitriles and Isonitriles

by Keith CowingMarch 24, 2024March 24, 2024

Giant impacts can generate transient hydrogen-rich atmospheres, reducing atmospheric carbon. The reduced carbon will form hazes that rain out onto the surface and can become incorporated into the crust. Once […]