In the molecular cloud of Taurus, one of the stellar “infant” regions closest to the ground, scientists discovered two formations containing nitrile groups – and. These molecules were found thanks to data collected during Quijote-observations on the Yebes telescope in Spain. The discovery indicates the presence of complex chemical processes in the interstellar space, which can shed light on the origin of life.
Nitriles, such as Malnitril, are the predecessors of Purine and Pyrimidines, which are part of the RNA and DNA. This adds an important detail to understanding how molecules can be formed, key to life, in space conditions. Previously, molecular clouds were considered inert, but today scientists see in them active “laboratories” that can synthesize prebiological molecules.
The stability of the nitrile compounds is due to their strong triple connection between the atoms of the carbon and nitrogen, which makes them resistant to destruction. In space conditions, where the temperature is low and energy for reactions is small, chemical processes depend on the speed and probability of their occurrence, and not on the stability of products. This contributes to the frequent formation of nitriles, despite their chemical complexity.
Researchers suggest that Malnitril and Maleonitril arose as a result of interaction with active particles called radicals in conditions of cold interstellar cloud. However, despite the successes in modeling the ways of formation of maleonitril, the exact process of the formation of the Little Nitril in such conditions is still a mystery.
Modern models of astrochemistry have not yet been in time for the discovery of new molecules. This complicates the understanding of the mechanisms of their formation, since many recently discovered substances are not included in the basic chemical networks. Nevertheless, the growing database of these molecules helps scientists build a theoretical basis for solving riddles of the origin of life in the Universe.
The opening of the molecular cloud of Taurus hints that such chemical processes can occur in other molecular clouds throughout the galaxy.