The Formation of Formaldehyde on Interstellar Carbonaceous Grain Analogs by O/H Atom Addition

Alexey Potapov, Cornelia Jäger, Thomas Henning, Mindaugas Jonusas, Lahouari Krim
2017 Astrophysical Journal  
An understanding of possible scenarios for the formation of astrophysically relevant molecules, particularly complex organic molecules, will bring us one step closer to the understanding of our astrochemical heritage. In this context, formaldehyde is an important molecule as a precursor of methanol, which in turn is a starting point for the formation of more complex organic species. In the present experiments, for the first time, following the synthesis of CO, formaldehyde has been produced on
more » ... he surface of interstellar grain analogs, hydrogenated fullerene-like carbon grains, by O and H atom bombardment. The formation of H 2 CO is an indication for a possible methanol formation route in such systems.
doi:10.3847/1538-4357/aa85e8 fatcat:trj62wa7ijddpkf37gz2jkjorq