QUIJOTE Archives - Astrobiology

Integrated intensity between 5.3 and 6.5 kms−1 of different molecular transitions (colors) compared with that of C6H5CN (black contours; first contour and step are 0.75 mK kms−1 )

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

TMC-1: Probing The Onset Of Chemical Complexity In Space

by Keith CowingApril 30, 2026April 30, 2026

In recent years, the obsessive interest in the observation of TMC-1 has brought a boost in our knowledge of the chemistry of cold dark clouds. The number of molecules detected […]

cyclopropenone - WIkipedia

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

Discovery Of Linear Propadienone: Study Of The Chemistry Of Linear And Cyclic H2C3O And H2C3S In TMC-1

by Keith CowingNovember 26, 2025November 26, 2025

We report the first detection in space of propadienone, the linear isomer (l-H2C3O) of cyclopropenone (c-H2C3O).

Schematic representation of the overall suggested mechanism. Various polyynes observed in dark clouds (e.g., TMC-1) are presented in the left part of the reaction scheme. The accretion of polyynes on the surface of the grains is followed by hydrogenation of their unsaturated CC triple bonds, resulting in the formation of their semi-saturated and fully saturated counterparts. Besides CH2CHCCCHO, all of the firstgeneration products obtained by such hydrogenation have also been observed in the gas phase in TMC-1 or other dark clouds (Brown 1981; Irvine & Hjalmarson 1984; Agúndez et al. 2021; Cernicharo et al. 2001, 2020, 2021a,b, 2024; Lee et al. 2021; McGuire et al. 2017). In the right part of the reaction scheme, we present the fully saturated aliphatic organic compounds. Most of these molecules have been observed in the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. The heavy molecules whose identifications are still lacking are marked with asterisks. It should be noted that UVphotolysis and cosmic ray processing of fully saturated aliphatic compounds result in their efficient dehydrogenation. The high saturation degree of the detected aliphatic compounds hints at their partial formation through surface hydrogenation mechanisms (Altwegg et al. 2017; Schuhmann et al. 2019; Hänni et al. 2021, 2022, 2023). The image of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko is taken by ESA Rosetta on September 2, 2014. -- astro-ph.EP

Astrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Comets and Asteroids, Icy Worlds, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Interstellar, Meteorites & Asteroids, Status Report

Production of Linear Alkanes via the Solid-state Hydrogenation of Interstellar Polyynes

by Keith CowingJanuary 12, 2025January 11, 2025

Highly unsaturated carbon chains, including polyynes, have been detected in many astronomical regions and planetary systems.