Known Interstellar Molecules

TIP Last Update: JeffMangum - 20 Dec 2005

120 Independent Species + 7 Isomers

This wiki page lists the known interstellar molecules, with references to their discovery and laboratory frequency references (for as many as I could find). The organization of these molecules is based on one suggested by Barry Turner (although I have taken some artistic license). I have also stolen heavily from Al Wootten's molecule list web page.

Note that my intention is for this to be only a stripped-down version of astrochemistry.net. If you want much more information than that provided here, go to astrochemistry.net.


Contents


Frequency References


Stable Molecules

Inorganic Molecules

DiatomicSorted ascending Triatomic Quadratomic Quintomic
 
 
 
 
 
 
CO
H2S
 
 
CS
SO2
 
 
FeO
 
 
 
H2
H2O
NH3
HCl
 
 
HF
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PN
N2O
 
 
SiO
OCS
 
 
SiS
HNO
 
 

Organic Molecules

Alcohols Aldehydes & Ketones Acids Hydrocarbons
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Amides Esters & Ethers Organosulfur

Paraffin Derivatives Acetylene Derivatives Rings Other
 
 
 


Unstable Molecules

Radicals Ions Rings Carbon Chains Isomers
OH
H3+
C3S
HNC
NO
NS
SO
SH
SO+
 
CO+
 
NH2
 
CH
 
 
CN
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HCO
 
 
 
C2
 
 
 
 
C2H
 
 
 
 
C2O
 
 
 
 
C2S
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C3
 
 
 
 
C3H
 
 
 
 
C3N
 
 
 
 
C3O
 
 
 
 
C4
 
 
 
 
C4H
 
 
 
 
C5
 
 
 
 
C5H
 
 
 
 
C6H
 
 
 
 
C7H
 
 
 
 
C8H
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Note:

  • Molecules denoted in green are detected only in circumstellar envelopes (surrounding evolved, mass-losing, red-giant stars). No detection in the general interstellar medium has been reported.


Topic revision: r8 - 2005-12-20, JeffMangum
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