Low-temperature formation of pyridine and (iso)quinoline via neutral–neutral reactions

Yang, Zhenghai; He, Chao; Goettl, Shane J.; Mebel, Alexander M.; Velloso, Paulo F. G.; Alves, Márcio O.; Galvão, Breno R. L.; Loison, Jean-Christophe; Hickson, Kevin M.; Dobrijevic, Michel; Li, Xiaohu; Kaiser, Ralf I.

doi:10.1038/s41550-024-02267-y

Title: Low-temperature formation of pyridine and (iso)quinoline via neutral–neutral reactions

Journal Article · 13 May 2024 · Nature Astronomy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550-024-02267-y · OSTI ID:2447449

^[1]; He, Chao ^[2];

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^[5]; Dobrijevic, Michel ^[6];

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University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (United States); University of Hawaii
University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (United States)
Florida International University, Miami, FL (United States)
Centro Federal de Educação Tecnológica de Minas Gerais, CEFET-MG, Belo Horizonte (Brazil)
Université de Bordeaux, Talence (France)
Université de Bordeaux, Pessac (France)
Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi (China)

Aromatic molecules represent fundamental building blocks in prebiotic chemistry and are contemplated as vital precursors to DNA and RNA nitrogen bases. However, despite the identification of some 300 molecules in extraterrestrial environments, the pathways to pyridine (C₅H₅N), pyridinyl (C₅H₄N•), and (iso)quinoline (C₉H₇N) – the simplest represen-tative of mono and bicyclic aromatic molecule carrying nitrogen – are elusive. Here, we afford compelling evidence on the gas-phase formation of methylene amidogen (H₂CN•) and cyanomethyl (H₂CCN•) radicals via molecular beam studies and electronic structure calcula-tions. The modeling of the chemistries of Taurus Molecular Cloud (TMC-1) and Titan’s atmosphere contemplates a complex chain of reactions synthesizing pyridine, pyridinyl, and (iso)quinoline from H₂CN• and H₂CCN• at levels of up to 75%. Furthermore, this study affords unique entry points to precursors of DNA and RNA nitrogen bases in hydrocarbon-rich extraterrestrial environments thus changing the way we think about the origin of prebiotic molecules in our Galaxy.

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Research Organization:: University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Grant/Contract Number:: FG02-03ER15411

OSTI ID:: 2447449

Journal Information:: Nature Astronomy, Journal Name: Nature Astronomy Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 8; ISSN 2397-3366

Publisher:: Springer NatureCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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