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Carbynes in meteorites - Detection, low-temperature origin, and implications for interstellar moleculesThe presence, origin and implications of carbynes in meteorites are investigated. A sample of the Allende meteorite was pyrolyzed at temperatures from 25 to 750 C and examined by solid probe time-of-flight mass spectrometry and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Fragments released upon heating at 250 to 330 C are found to be composed of macromolecules containing triply bonded carbon units and cyanoacetylenes, as well as some methyl- and phenylacetylenes. Although carbynes are well known to form from the condensation of carbon vapors above 2600 K or by shock greater than 600 kbar, which would be unlikely in Allende, it is found that carbynes rather than graphite are formed metastably by the disproportionation of CO at low temperatures when chromite is present as a catalyst. Results imply that metastable formation mechanisms may be the principal source of interstellar polycyanoacetylenes and meteoritic and terrestrial carbynes.
Document ID
19800065677
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hayatsu, R.
(Argonne National Lab. IL, United States)
Scott, R. G.
(Argonne National Lab. IL, United States)
Studier, M. H.
(Argonne National Laboratory Argonne, Ill., United States)
Lewis, R. S.
(Argonne National Lab. IL, United States)
Anders, E.
(Chicago, University Chicago, Ill., United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
September 26, 1980
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 209
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
80A49847
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-14-001-010
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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