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On the formation of pyridine in the interstellar medium

Journal Article · · Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. PCCP (Print)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1039/c5cp02960k· OSTI ID:1602916
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [3];  [4];  [4];  [4]
  1. Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (United States); University of Hawaii at Manoa
  2. Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (United States)
  3. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
  4. National Dong Hwa Univ., Shoufeng (Taiwan)
+ Show Author Affiliations
Nitrogen-substituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (NPAHs) have been proposed to play a key role in the astrochemical evolution of the interstellar medium, but the formation mechanism of even their simplest building block – the aromatic pyridine molecule – has remained elusive for decades. Here we reveal a potential pathway to a facile pyridine (C5H5N)) synthesis via the reaction of the cyano vinyl (C2H2CN) radical with vinyl cyanide (C2H3CN) in high temperature environments simulating conditions in carbon-rich circumstellar envelopes of Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars like IRC+10216. Since this reaction is barrier-less, pyridine can also be synthesized via this bimolecular reaction in cold molecular clouds such as in TMC-1. The synchronized aromatization of precursors readily available in the interstellar medium leading to nitrogen incorporation into the aromatic rings would open up a novel route to pyridine derivatives such as vitamin B3 and pyrimidine bases as detected in carbonaceous chondrites like Murchison.
Research Organization:
Univ. of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231; FG02-03ER15411
OSTI ID:
1602916
Journal Information:
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. PCCP (Print), Journal Name: Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics. PCCP (Print) Journal Issue: 47 Vol. 17; ISSN 1463-9076; ISSN PPCPFQ
Publisher:
Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY