The synthesis of complex molecules in interstellar clouds

Abstract

Smith and Adams have recently proposed that radiative association reactions can proceed rapidly at the low temperatures found in interstellar clouds. We propose radiative association reactions of CH 3 + , CH 3 0 + , CH 3 CO + , CHg + , HCO + , NO + , and H 2 CN + , and several bimolecular reactions of CH 3 + , C2H2 + , and NH 3 + , which, if they occur at the low temperatures of interstellar molecular clouds, can effectively synthesize a large number of the more complex interstellar species including and HNO. New laboratory data are required in order to verify that these species can be synthesized by the proposed reactions. It appears, however, that gas-phase ion chemistry may indeed be capable of synthesizing the most complex of interstellar molecules.