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UV irradiation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ices: production of alcohols, quinones, and ethersPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water ice were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation under astrophysical conditions, and the products were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Peripheral carbon atoms were oxidized, producing aromatic alcohols, ketones, and ethers, and reduced, producing partially hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, molecules that account for the interstellar 3.4-micrometer emission feature. These classes of compounds are all present in carbonaceous meteorites. Hydrogen and deuterium atoms exchange readily between the PAHs and the ice, which may explain the deuterium enrichments found in certain meteoritic molecules. This work has important implications for extraterrestrial organics in biogenesis.
Document ID
20040142060
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Bernstein, M. P.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field CA United States)
Sandford, S. A.
Allamandola, L. J.
Gillette, J. S.
Clemett, S. J.
Zare, R. N.
Date Acquired
August 22, 2013
Publication Date
February 19, 1999
Publication Information
Publication: Science
Volume: 283
Issue: 5405
ISSN: 0036-8075
Subject Category
Exobiology
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other
Keywords
NASA Center ARC
NASA Discipline Exobiology

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