The astrochemistry of H+3
Abstract
The reactions of the molecular ion H3+ are pivotal to the chemistry of dense interstellar clouds. Produced by the cosmic-ray ionizati on of molecular hydrogen, H3+ reacts with a variety of a toms and molecules to produce species that are precursors to many of the detect ed molecules in dense clouds. For example, the reaction of H3+ with atomic O leads, eventually, to the production of water, while the re action with HD leads to the production of a wide variety of deuterated isotopom ers. In this article, the chemistry of H3+ and the produc ts derived from it are discussed in the larger context of interstellar chemistr y.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy, physics and chemistry of H<SUP>+</SUP><SUB>3</SUB>
- Pub Date:
- September 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1098/rsta.2000.0665
- Bibcode:
- 2000RSPTA.358.2523H