Chemistry in grain aggregates: a source of complex molecules?

Details Chemistry in grain aggregates: a source of complex molecules? Chemistry in grain aggregates: a source of complex molecules?

Dec 2000

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000mnras.319..791d&link_type=abstract

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 319, Issue 3, pp. 791-796.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

9

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Scientific paper

The aggregation of grains in dense protostellar clouds brings together materials such as silicates, carbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and ices to form porous structures with high internal volume. Some physical and chemical properties of these aggregate grains are discussed in the context of the role that they may play in the formation of complex organic and organometallic compounds. One characteristic of such grains that is unique outside planetary systems is the availability of all elements and a number of their common compounds in a composite solid. In dark clouds, the chemistry inside aggregate grains will be driven by cosmic ray heating and sputtering. This occurs in an environment where the products of such reactions can be retained within the dust particle. Hot atom chemistry and secondary reactions are facilitated by the re-entrant nature of such aggregated structures, leading to the possible formation of complex organic compounds. In particular, the sputtering of Si, Mg and Fe from silicate dust is discussed, and it is shown that a variety of organometallic compounds could be expected in ices within aggregate grains. The optical depth for ultraviolet light within aggregates is large, so that materials inside such grains will be effectively shielded from ambient radiation. However, the incorporation of luminifors such as those grain components responsible for the extended red emission converts ultraviolet to visible and near-infrared radiation, and might moderate photochemistry within aggregates. It is suggested that the chemical environment within aggregates may be conducive to the formation and retention of complex molecules such as amino acids, peptides and a variety of organometallic compounds.

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