Formation and evolution of cyclic molecules in the interstellar medium

During the last years, we have witnessed an evermore increase in the number of molecules detected in the region between stars, the interstellar medium, where new stars are born.

Of the different families of molecules to which the new astronomical detections belong, cyclic and aromatic molecules are particularly puzzling for astrochemistry.

Although they are ubiquitous in Earth-based chemistry, the positive detection of aromatic species in the interstellar medium came only a few years ago. This finding has initiated a wave of detections that reveal as many answers as pose new vital questions. For example, aromatic species are critical in the formation of prebiotic molecules.

Hence, detecting these molecules presents significant, far-reaching implications for questions beyond astronomy, such as the origin of life on our planet.In this project, we will determine the main formation routes of cyclic and aromatic molecules in the interstellar medium and the main destruction and conversion pathways that these molecules undertake once formed.

We will pursue the project using first principles computer simulations, aiming to disentangle the physical and chemical basis for the origin of these species.

Our goal is to find sources of molecular diversity in our universe, constrain the maximum chemical complexity expected in space for cyclic species, and determine how these molecules could be delivered to planets such as the Earth.