Atom addition reactions in interstellar ice : new pathways towards molecular complexity in space -

Abstract

This thesis presents detailed laboratory based research on solid-state atom and radical addition reactions aimed to increase our understanding of the chemistry that occurs in interstellar ices. The focus here is on the chemistry of nitrogen-bearing species as well as on the formation of molecules of astrobiological importance. An attempt to provide a link between the formation of the simplest nitrogen-bearing molecules and simplest amino acids is made. In addition to amino-acid formation routes, the simplest representatives of two other classes of prebiotic compounds - aldoses (polyhydroxy aldehydes) and polyols - with their corresponding formation routes are presented.