Astrochemistry

Introduction

What molecules have chemists detected in interstellar space?

A recent count puts the number of distinct molecules detected in interstellar space at around 150. The list includes small diatomic molecules that are common on Earth (e.g., CO, N2, O2), high-energy diatomic radicals that have exceedingly short lifetimes on Earth (e.g., HO·, HC·), and all the way up to organic compounds like acetone, ethylene glycol, and benzene.

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