organic chemistry Archives

𝛼-phase of methanol ice. Dashed lines represent the OH· · · O hydrogen bonds forming methanol chains. Arrows represent the motion of O-H stretching when neighbouring chains are in-phase (a) or in counter-phase (b). -- astro-ph.IM

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

Physical Properties of Methanol (CH3OH) Ice As A Function of Temperature: Density, Infrared Band Strengths, and Crystallization

by Keith CowingAugust 14, 2023August 14, 2023

The presence of methanol among the common ice components in interstellar clouds and protostellar envelopes has been confirmed by the James Webb Space Telescope. Methanol is often detected in the […]

The reaction network around CH3OCH3 (The same result in Figure 2). Color for each node shows the relative energy. Squared node: EQ, circle: TS, and diamond: DC. -- astro-ph.GA

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

The Automated Reaction-Pathway Search reveals the Energetically Favorable Synthesis of Interstellar CH3OCH3 and HCOOCH3

by Keith CowingAugust 11, 2023August 11, 2023

Recent astronomical observations have shown that interstellar complex organic molecules (COMs) exist even in cold environments (∼10 K), while various interstellar COMs have conventionally been detected in the hot gas […]

A.1: Moment 0 maps of selected O-COMs in the representative source G19.88-0.53. Contours and beams are the same as those in Fig. 1. We chose the strongest and unblended (or less blended) line in the upper tuning to make moment 0 map of each species, of which the quantum numbers and the upper energy level are indicated by white bold text at the bottom of each panel. The images are integrated over the FWHM with respect to the line center. -- astro-ph.GA

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Status Report

CoCCoA: Complex Chemistry In Hot Cores With ALMA. Selected Oxygen-bearing Species

by Keith CowingAugust 9, 2023August 9, 2023

Complex organic molecules (COMs) have been observed to be abundant in the gas phase toward protostars. Deep line surveys have been carried out only for a limited number of well-known […]

Summary of C atom chemistry in a molecular cloud. Different chemical processes in the gas phase22 and on the grains are represented as a function of the 4 temperature. In the first stage (T 30 K fast C diffusion may promote the growth of C chain and formation of COMs. -- astro-ph.GA

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

Surface Diffusion of Carbon Atoms as a Driver of Interstellar Organic Chemistry

by Keith CowingAugust 8, 2023August 8, 2023

Many interstellar complex organic molecules (COMs) are believed to be produced on the surfaces of icy grains at low temperatures. Atomic carbon is considered responsible for the skeletal evolution processes, […]

Occam’s razor-based deconvolution of the subset of signals associated to CnHmO species as detected by the DFMS on 3 August 2015.

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Missions & Hardware, Status Report

Oxygen-bearing Organic Molecules In Comet 67P’s Dusty Coma: First Evidence For Abundant Heterocycles

by Keith CowingAugust 3, 2023August 3, 2023

The puzzling complexity of terrestrial biomolecules is driving the search for complex organic molecules in the Interstellar Medium (ISM) and serves as a motivation for many in situ studies of […]

Scientists believe the near-shore environment is where most organic carbon is buried.

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

Nature’s Kitchen: How A Chemical Reaction Used By Cooks Helped Create Life On Earth

by Keith CowingAugust 2, 2023August 2, 2023

A chemical process used in the browning of food to give it its distinct smell and taste is probably happening deep in the oceans, where it helped create the conditions […]

An illustration of the catastrophic collision and gravitation reaccumulation model. (1) The Ryugu progenitor planetesimal forms via the accretion of silicate dust and water-rich ice. (2) aqueous alteration leads to the alteration of the silicate dust and the formation of new minerals. Organic matter accreted within the ice is also altered to form new OM. (3) an impactor collides with the planetesimal reducing the body to debris. (4) the debris reaccumulates due to gravity and forms a rubble pile asteroid. (5) Rotation imparted by the impact and from the YORP effect leads to the generation of a spinning top-shaped asteroid and its movement into a near-Earth orbit. Credit for the image of Ryugu belongs with JAXA. -- Life

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Meteorites & Asteroids, Press Release

Organic Matter In The Asteroid Ryugu: What We Know So Far

by Keith CowingJuly 31, 2023July 31, 2023

Simple Summary: Organic matter is an integral part of all living things on our planet, but abiotic (not relating to life) organic matter can be found throughout the Solar System […]

Effects observed with FeS: (a) aggregated and broken mineral particles that did not mineralize but still underwent recrystallization; (b) vial with both chemical gardening of FeS and malononitrile complex (with both acicular needles and nodules as a black mineral), and abiotic film growth (orange). These reference pictures were taken directly after 48 h at 90 °C. A 0.5 cm scale bar is included for reference. -- Life

Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Caves, Craters, Mountains, Subsurface, Lava Tubes, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release

Metal Catalysis Acting on Nitriles in Early Earth Hydrothermal Systems

by Keith CowingJuly 31, 2023July 31, 2023

Hydrothermal systems are areas in which heated fluids and organic molecules rush through basaltic material rich in metals and minerals. By studying malononitrile and acetonitrile, we examine the effects of […]

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Status Report

First Glycine Isomer Detected In The Interstellar Medium: Glycolamide (NH2C(O)CH2OH)

by Keith CowingJuly 24, 2023July 24, 2023

We report the first detection in the interstellar medium of a C2H5O2N isomer: syn-glycolamide (NH2C(O)CH2OH).

Purine (left) and pyrimidine (right) are stable for two weeks in a range of sulfuric acid concentrations found in the Venus clouds. We have incubated 30-40 mg of each base in 81-98% w/w D2SO4 for two weeks. After the two-week incubation, we measured 1D 13C NMR spectra (solid line spectra), at each of the tested acid concentrations, and compared them to the original 1D 13C NMR spectra collected after ~30-48 h (dashed line spectra and Figure S11). The two-week spectra and the ~30-48 h spectra look virtually identical for all tested concentrations, confirming long-term stability of the compounds in concentrated sulfuric acid solvent. From top to bottom are different concentrations (by weight) of sulfuric acid in water: 98% D2SO4/2% D2O; 94% D2SO4/6% D2O; 88% D2SO4/12% D2O; 81% D2SO4/19% D2O with DMSO-d6 as a reference and at room temperature. All peaks are consistent with the molecules being stable and the structure not being affected by the concentrated sulfuric acid solvent. For two-week stability of other compounds see Figures S12-S14. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Habitable Zones, Press Release, Venus

Stability Of Nucleic Acid Bases In Concentrated Sulfuric Acid: Implications For The Habitability Of Venus’ Clouds

by Keith CowingJuly 24, 2023July 24, 2023

What constitutes a habitable planet is a frontier to be explored and requires pushing the boundaries of our terracentric viewpoint for what we deem to be a habitable environment.

organic chemistry

Physical Properties of Methanol (CH3OH) Ice As A Function of Temperature: Density, Infrared Band Strengths, and Crystallization

The Automated Reaction-Pathway Search reveals the Energetically Favorable Synthesis of Interstellar CH3OCH3 and HCOOCH3

CoCCoA: Complex Chemistry In Hot Cores With ALMA. Selected Oxygen-bearing Species

Surface Diffusion of Carbon Atoms as a Driver of Interstellar Organic Chemistry

Oxygen-bearing Organic Molecules In Comet 67P’s Dusty Coma: First Evidence For Abundant Heterocycles

Nature’s Kitchen: How A Chemical Reaction Used By Cooks Helped Create Life On Earth

Organic Matter In The Asteroid Ryugu: What We Know So Far

Metal Catalysis Acting on Nitriles in Early Earth Hydrothermal Systems

First Glycine Isomer Detected In The Interstellar Medium: Glycolamide (NH2C(O)CH2OH)

Stability Of Nucleic Acid Bases In Concentrated Sulfuric Acid: Implications For The Habitability Of Venus’ Clouds

Early-career Graduate Students Host An Exclusive, NASA-funded Astrobiology Conference

Intimate Link Between Prebiotic Chemistry And Meteorites: Mechanisms Of Organic Molecule Formation

Microbial Mats Influence The Isotopic Composition And Provenance of Soil Organic Matter In The McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica

Beyond The Prebiotic Soup: Solid Organic Films And Protocell-Like Formation in Prebiotic Discharge Experiments

From Searching For Extraterrestrial Biosignatures To Exploring The Origins Of Life: A Prebiotic Chemistry Perspective