Interstellar Molecules: Origin by Catalytic Reactions on Grain Surfaces?
Abstract
To determine the compound distribution formed by surface catalysis, mixtures of Co, D2, and ND3 were heated with nickel-iron or montmorillonite clay catalysts for 49-214 h at C. Compounds identified include most of the known polyatomic interstellar molecules, as well as homologous series of acetylenes, dienes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, ethers, esters, nitriles, amines, etc., and cyclic compounds such as furans and pyrroles. These homologous series are uniquely characteristic of surface catalysis. A search for the heavier members of these series, predicted to occur at 1O to IO the abundance of the lightest members, thus comprises a crucial test of this mechanism. Sitbject headings: atomic and molecular processes - comets - meteorites, meteors - molecules, interstellar - solar system
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1974
- DOI:
- 10.1086/181601
- Bibcode:
- 1974ApJ...192L.101A