Abiotic formation of nitrile precursors to amino acids and nucleobases in interstellar ice analogues

Chemical Science 2026 Open access

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Authors: Jia Long Wang, Shiori Inada, Chaojiang Zhang, Joshua H. Marks, Zesen Wang, Alexandre Bergantini, Mason McAnally, André Eckhardt, Ralf I. Kaiser
DOI: 10.1039/d5sc08569a
Cited by: 2
References: 81

Abstract

NHCN) were identified utilizing vacuum ultraviolet photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and quadrupole mass spectrometry. These results suggest that previously astronomically undetected diazene, ammonium cyanide, and methyl cyanamide represent suitable targets for future astronomical searches. Furthermore, our findings provide fundamental insights into the non-equilibrium formation pathways leading to nitrogen-bearing molecules including complex nitriles in HCN-rich interstellar ices, thereby advancing our understanding of the abiotic origins of amino acids and nucleobases in extraterrestrial environments.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies Astro and Planetary Science Origins and Evolution of Life

Publication details

Journal / source
Chemical Science
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Volume
17
Issue
10
Pages
4966–4977
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN