Complex Organic Interstellar Molecules

2009/08/20 by Eric Herbst, E. F. van Dishoeck, Ewine F. van Dishoeck · 1,723 citations
Chemistry · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Chemical Physics Studies #Astrobiology #Astrochemistry #Astronomy #Astrophysics #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Chemical physics #Cosmic dust #Cosmochemistry #Galaxy #Interstellar cloud #Interstellar ice #Interstellar medium #Milky Way #Molecular Spectroscopy and Structure #Molecular cloud #Molecule #Organic molecules #Physics #Stars

paper · doi:10.1146/annurev-astro-082708-101654

published in Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics 47(1), 427-480 (Annual Reviews)

openalex publication_date 2009/08/20 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

Of the over 150 different molecular species detected in the interstellar and circumstellar media, approximately 50 contain 6 or more atoms. These molecules, labeled complex by astronomers if not by chemists, all contain the element carbon and so can be called organic. In the interstellar medium, complex molecules are detected in the denser sources only. Although, with one exception, complex molecules have only been detected in the gas phase, there is strong evidence that they can be formed in ice mantles on interstellar grains. The nature of the gaseous complex species depends dramatically on the source where they are found: in cold, dense regions they tend to be unsaturated (hydrogen-poor) and exotic, whereas in young stellar objects, they tend to be quite saturated (hydrogen-rich) and terrestrial in nature. Based on both their spectra and chemistry, complex molecules are excellent probes of the physical conditions and history of the sources where they reside. Because they are detected in young stellar objects, complex molecules are expected to be common ingredients for new planetary systems. In this review, we discuss both the observation and chemistry of complex molecules in assorted interstellar regions in the Milky Way.

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Related

• Chemistry in the Interstellar Medium
• Observations of complex organic molecules in the gas phase of the interstellar medium
• Overview of complex organic molecule observations in protostellar systems
• The molecular universe
• Observations of non complex organic molecules in the gas phase of the interstellar medium