1999/02/19 by Max P. Bernstein, Scott A. Sandford, L. J. Allamandola +3 · 1 citation
Physics and Astronomy · Chemistry · #Astro and Planetary Science #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Molecular Spectroscopy and Structure
paper · doi:10.1126/science.283.5405.1135
openalex publication_date 1999/02/19 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/31
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water ice were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation under astrophysical conditions, and the products were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Peripheral carbon atoms were oxidized, producing aromatic alcohols, ketones, and ethers, and reduced, producing partially hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, molecules that account for the interstellar 3.4-micrometer emission feature. These classes of compounds are all present in carbonaceous meteorites. Hydrogen and deuterium atoms exchange readily between the PAHs and the ice, which may explain the deuterium enrichments found in certain meteoritic molecules. This work has important implications for extraterrestrial organics in biogenesis.