ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
O e iew o he complex chemis y in
s a less and p es ella co es
Saman ha Scibelli
Jansky Fellow, NRAO
Cha lo es ille, Vi ginia, USA
A Complex Molecula Uni e se
Known In e s ella Molecules C ea ed wi h ASTROMOL 2021.9.1
bmcgui 2.gi hub.io/as omol
McGui e 2022 ApJS 259, 30
2 A oms
CH
CN
CH+
OH
CO
H2
SiO
CS
SO
SiS
NS
C2
NO
HCl
NaCl
AlCl
KCl
AlF
PN
SiC
CP
NH
SiN
SO+
CO+
HF
N2
CF+
PO
O2
AlO
CN-
OH+
SH+
HCl+
SH
TiO
A H+
NS+
HeH+
VO
PO+
SiP
FeC
3 A oms
H2O
HCO+
HCN
OCS
HNC
H2S
N2H+
C2H
SO2
HCO
HNO
HCS+
HOC+
SiC2
C2S
C3
CO2
CH2
C2O
MgNC
NH2
NaCN
N2O
MgCN
H3+
SiCN
AlNC
SiNC
HCP
CCP
AlOH
H2O+
H2Cl+
KCN
FeCN
HO2
TiO2
CCN
SiCSi
S2H
HCS
HSC
NCO
CaNC
NCS
MgC2
HSO
CaC2
4 A oms
NH3
H2CO
HNCO
H2CS
C2H2
C3N
HNCS
HOCO+
C3O
l-C3H
HCNH+
H3O+
C3S
c-C3H
HC2N
H2CN
SiC3
CH3
C3N-
PH3
HCNO
HOCN
HSCN
HOOH
l-C3H+
HMgNC
HCCO
CNCN
HONO
MgCCH
HCCS
HNCN
H2NC
HCCS+
CH3+
HCNS
HOCS+
HNSO
5 A oms
HC3N
HCOOH
CH2NH
NH2CN
H2CCO
C4H
SiH4
c-C3H2
CH2CN
C5
SiC4
H2CCC
CH4
HCCNC
HNCCC
H2COH+
C4H-
CNCHO
HNCNH
CH3O
NH3D+
H2NCO+
NCCNH+
CH3Cl
MgC3N
HC3O+
NH2OH
HC3S+
H2CCS
C4S
CHOSH
HCSCN
HC3O
NaCCCN
MgC3N+
C2H3+
NCCHS
6 A oms
CH3OH
CH3CN
NH2CHO
CH3SH
C2H4
C5H
CH3NC
HC2CHO
H2C4
C5S
HC3NH+
C5N
HC4H
HC4N
c-H2C3O
CH2CNH
C5N-
HNCHCN
SiH3CN
MgC4H
CH3CO+
H2CCCS
CH2CCH
HCSCCH
C5O
HCCNCH+
C5H+
c-C5H
HC4S
HMgCCCN
MgC4H+
H2C3H+
HOCOOH
H2C3N
H2CNCN
7 A oms
CH3CHO
CH3CCH
CH3NH2
CH2CHCN
HC5N
C6H
c-C2H4O
CH2CHOH
C6H-
CH3NCO
HC5O
HOCH2CN
HC4NC
HC3HNH
c-C3HCCH
MgC5N
CH2C3N
l-H2C5
NC4NH+
MgC5N+
8 A oms
HCOOCH3
CH3C3N
C7H
CH3COOH
H2C6
CH2OHCHO
HC6H
CH2CHCHO
CH2CCHCN
NH2CH2CN
CH3CHNH
CH3SiH3
NH2CONH2
HCCCH2CN
CH2CHCCH
MgC6H
C2H3NH2
HOCHCHOH
HCCCHCCC
C7N-
CH3CHCO
MgC6H+
9 A oms
CH3OCH3
CH3CH2OH
CH3CH2CN
HC7N
CH3C4H
C8H
CH3CONH2
C8H-
CH2CHCH3
CH3CH2SH
HC7O
CH3NHCHO
H2CCCHCCH
HCCCHCHCN
H2CCHC3N
10 A oms
CH3COCH3
HOCH2CH2OH
CH3CH2CHO
CH3C5N
CH3CHCH2O
CH3OCH2OH
H2CCCHC3N
C6H4
C2H5NCO
HC7NH+
CH3CHCHCN
CH2CCH3CN
CH2CHCH2CN
NH2COCH2OH
CH3CH2CCH
11 A oms
HC9N
CH3C6H
C2H5OCHO
CH3COOCH3
CH3COCH2OH
C5H6
NH2CH2CH2OH
CH2CCHC4H
C10H-
C4H5CN
12 A oms
C6H6
n-C3H7CN
i-C3H7CN
C2H5OCH3
1-C5H5CN
2-C5H5CN
n-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-C4H8
13+ A oms
C6H5CN
HC11N
1-C5H5CCH
2-C5H5CCH
c-C5H4CCH2
CH3OCH2CH2OH
c-C6H5CCH
1-C10H7CN
2-C10H7CN
C9H8
2-C9H7CN
C60
C60+
C70
307 Molecules
Las Upda ed: 31 Dec 2024
McGui e 2022
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
A Complex Molecula Uni e se
Known In e s ella Molecules C ea ed wi h ASTROMOL 2021.9.1
bmcgui 2.gi hub.io/as omol
McGui e 2022 ApJS 259, 30
2 A oms
CH
CN
CH+
OH
CO
H2
SiO
CS
SO
SiS
NS
C2
NO
HCl
NaCl
AlCl
KCl
AlF
PN
SiC
CP
NH
SiN
SO+
CO+
HF
N2
CF+
PO
O2
AlO
CN-
OH+
SH+
HCl+
SH
TiO
A H+
NS+
HeH+
VO
PO+
SiP
FeC
3 A oms
H2O
HCO+
HCN
OCS
HNC
H2S
N2H+
C2H
SO2
HCO
HNO
HCS+
HOC+
SiC2
C2S
C3
CO2
CH2
C2O
MgNC
NH2
NaCN
N2O
MgCN
H3+
SiCN
AlNC
SiNC
HCP
CCP
AlOH
H2O+
H2Cl+
KCN
FeCN
HO2
TiO2
CCN
SiCSi
S2H
HCS
HSC
NCO
CaNC
NCS
MgC2
HSO
CaC2
4 A oms
NH3
H2CO
HNCO
H2CS
C2H2
C3N
HNCS
HOCO+
C3O
l-C3H
HCNH+
H3O+
C3S
c-C3H
HC2N
H2CN
SiC3
CH3
C3N-
PH3
HCNO
HOCN
HSCN
HOOH
l-C3H+
HMgNC
HCCO
CNCN
HONO
MgCCH
HCCS
HNCN
H2NC
HCCS+
CH3+
HCNS
HOCS+
HNSO
5 A oms
HC3N
HCOOH
CH2NH
NH2CN
H2CCO
C4H
SiH4
c-C3H2
CH2CN
C5
SiC4
H2CCC
CH4
HCCNC
HNCCC
H2COH+
C4H-
CNCHO
HNCNH
CH3O
NH3D+
H2NCO+
NCCNH+
CH3Cl
MgC3N
HC3O+
NH2OH
HC3S+
H2CCS
C4S
CHOSH
HCSCN
HC3O
NaCCCN
MgC3N+
C2H3+
NCCHS
6 A oms
CH3OH
CH3CN
NH2CHO
CH3SH
C2H4
C5H
CH3NC
HC2CHO
H2C4
C5S
HC3NH+
C5N
HC4H
HC4N
c-H2C3O
CH2CNH
C5N-
HNCHCN
SiH3CN
MgC4H
CH3CO+
H2CCCS
CH2CCH
HCSCCH
C5O
HCCNCH+
C5H+
c-C5H
HC4S
HMgCCCN
MgC4H+
H2C3H+
HOCOOH
H2C3N
H2CNCN
7 A oms
CH3CHO
CH3CCH
CH3NH2
CH2CHCN
HC5N
C6H
c-C2H4O
CH2CHOH
C6H-
CH3NCO
HC5O
HOCH2CN
HC4NC
HC3HNH
c-C3HCCH
MgC5N
CH2C3N
l-H2C5
NC4NH+
MgC5N+
8 A oms
HCOOCH3
CH3C3N
C7H
CH3COOH
H2C6
CH2OHCHO
HC6H
CH2CHCHO
CH2CCHCN
NH2CH2CN
CH3CHNH
CH3SiH3
NH2CONH2
HCCCH2CN
CH2CHCCH
MgC6H
C2H3NH2
HOCHCHOH
HCCCHCCC
C7N-
CH3CHCO
MgC6H+
9 A oms
CH3OCH3
CH3CH2OH
CH3CH2CN
HC7N
CH3C4H
C8H
CH3CONH2
C8H-
CH2CHCH3
CH3CH2SH
HC7O
CH3NHCHO
H2CCCHCCH
HCCCHCHCN
H2CCHC3N
10 A oms
CH3COCH3
HOCH2CH2OH
CH3CH2CHO
CH3C5N
CH3CHCH2O
CH3OCH2OH
H2CCCHC3N
C6H4
C2H5NCO
HC7NH+
CH3CHCHCN
CH2CCH3CN
CH2CHCH2CN
NH2COCH2OH
CH3CH2CCH
11 A oms
HC9N
CH3C6H
C2H5OCHO
CH3COOCH3
CH3COCH2OH
C5H6
NH2CH2CH2OH
CH2CCHC4H
C10H-
C4H5CN
12 A oms
C6H6
n-C3H7CN
i-C3H7CN
C2H5OCH3
1-C5H5CN
2-C5H5CN
n-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-C4H8
13+ A oms
C6H5CN
HC11N
1-C5H5CCH
2-C5H5CCH
c-C5H4CCH2
CH3OCH2CH2OH
c-C6H5CCH
1-C10H7CN
2-C10H7CN
C9H8
2-C9H7CN
C60
C60+
C70
307 Molecules
Las Upda ed: 31 Dec 2024
McGui e 2022
Ace aldehyde
CH3CHO
Me hanol
CH3OH
In e s ella
“Complex” O ganic Molecules
“COMs” o “iCOMs”
•Con ains a leas 6 o mo e a oms
•Con ains a leas one ca bon a om
He bs & an Dishoeck 2009; Cecca elli e al. 2017
Ace one
(CH3)2CO
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
A Complex Molecula Uni e se
Known In e s ella Molecules C ea ed wi h ASTROMOL 2021.9.1
bmcgui 2.gi hub.io/as omol
McGui e 2022 ApJS 259, 30
2 A oms
CH
CN
CH+
OH
CO
H2
SiO
CS
SO
SiS
NS
C2
NO
HCl
NaCl
AlCl
KCl
AlF
PN
SiC
CP
NH
SiN
SO+
CO+
HF
N2
CF+
PO
O2
AlO
CN-
OH+
SH+
HCl+
SH
TiO
A H+
NS+
HeH+
VO
PO+
SiP
FeC
3 A oms
H2O
HCO+
HCN
OCS
HNC
H2S
N2H+
C2H
SO2
HCO
HNO
HCS+
HOC+
SiC2
C2S
C3
CO2
CH2
C2O
MgNC
NH2
NaCN
N2O
MgCN
H3+
SiCN
AlNC
SiNC
HCP
CCP
AlOH
H2O+
H2Cl+
KCN
FeCN
HO2
TiO2
CCN
SiCSi
S2H
HCS
HSC
NCO
CaNC
NCS
MgC2
HSO
CaC2
4 A oms
NH3
H2CO
HNCO
H2CS
C2H2
C3N
HNCS
HOCO+
C3O
l-C3H
HCNH+
H3O+
C3S
c-C3H
HC2N
H2CN
SiC3
CH3
C3N-
PH3
HCNO
HOCN
HSCN
HOOH
l-C3H+
HMgNC
HCCO
CNCN
HONO
MgCCH
HCCS
HNCN
H2NC
HCCS+
CH3+
HCNS
HOCS+
HNSO
5 A oms
HC3N
HCOOH
CH2NH
NH2CN
H2CCO
C4H
SiH4
c-C3H2
CH2CN
C5
SiC4
H2CCC
CH4
HCCNC
HNCCC
H2COH+
C4H-
CNCHO
HNCNH
CH3O
NH3D+
H2NCO+
NCCNH+
CH3Cl
MgC3N
HC3O+
NH2OH
HC3S+
H2CCS
C4S
CHOSH
HCSCN
HC3O
NaCCCN
MgC3N+
C2H3+
NCCHS
6 A oms
CH3OH
CH3CN
NH2CHO
CH3SH
C2H4
C5H
CH3NC
HC2CHO
H2C4
C5S
HC3NH+
C5N
HC4H
HC4N
c-H2C3O
CH2CNH
C5N-
HNCHCN
SiH3CN
MgC4H
CH3CO+
H2CCCS
CH2CCH
HCSCCH
C5O
HCCNCH+
C5H+
c-C5H
HC4S
HMgCCCN
MgC4H+
H2C3H+
HOCOOH
H2C3N
H2CNCN
7 A oms
CH3CHO
CH3CCH
CH3NH2
CH2CHCN
HC5N
C6H
c-C2H4O
CH2CHOH
C6H-
CH3NCO
HC5O
HOCH2CN
HC4NC
HC3HNH
c-C3HCCH
MgC5N
CH2C3N
l-H2C5
NC4NH+
MgC5N+
8 A oms
HCOOCH3
CH3C3N
C7H
CH3COOH
H2C6
CH2OHCHO
HC6H
CH2CHCHO
CH2CCHCN
NH2CH2CN
CH3CHNH
CH3SiH3
NH2CONH2
HCCCH2CN
CH2CHCCH
MgC6H
C2H3NH2
HOCHCHOH
HCCCHCCC
C7N-
CH3CHCO
MgC6H+
9 A oms
CH3OCH3
CH3CH2OH
CH3CH2CN
HC7N
CH3C4H
C8H
CH3CONH2
C8H-
CH2CHCH3
CH3CH2SH
HC7O
CH3NHCHO
H2CCCHCCH
HCCCHCHCN
H2CCHC3N
10 A oms
CH3COCH3
HOCH2CH2OH
CH3CH2CHO
CH3C5N
CH3CHCH2O
CH3OCH2OH
H2CCCHC3N
C6H4
C2H5NCO
HC7NH+
CH3CHCHCN
CH2CCH3CN
CH2CHCH2CN
NH2COCH2OH
CH3CH2CCH
11 A oms
HC9N
CH3C6H
C2H5OCHO
CH3COOCH3
CH3COCH2OH
C5H6
NH2CH2CH2OH
CH2CCHC4H
C10H-
C4H5CN
12 A oms
C6H6
n-C3H7CN
i-C3H7CN
C2H5OCH3
1-C5H5CN
2-C5H5CN
n-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-C4H8
13+ A oms
C6H5CN
HC11N
1-C5H5CCH
2-C5H5CCH
c-C5H4CCH2
CH3OCH2CH2OH
c-C6H5CCH
1-C10H7CN
2-C10H7CN
C9H8
2-C9H7CN
C60
C60+
C70
307 Molecules
Las Upda ed: 31 Dec 2024
McGui e 2022
In e s ella
“Complex” O ganic Molecules
“COMs” o “iCOMs”
•Con ains a leas 6 o mo e a oms
•Con ains a leas one ca bon a om
He bs & an Dishoeck 2009; Cecca elli e al. 2017
P ecu so “P ebio,c” Species
(“CHNOPS”)
•Belie ed o be in ol ed in he
p ocesses leading o he o igin o li e
PO
Amino Ace oni ile
HCN
SO2
E.g., Ba oss e al., 2020, Sasselo e al., 2020,
K ij e al., 2022
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
A Complex Molecula Uni e se
Known In e s ella Molecules C ea ed wi h ASTROMOL 2021.9.1
bmcgui 2.gi hub.io/as omol
McGui e 2022 ApJS 259, 30
2 A oms
CH
CN
CH+
OH
CO
H2
SiO
CS
SO
SiS
NS
C2
NO
HCl
NaCl
AlCl
KCl
AlF
PN
SiC
CP
NH
SiN
SO+
CO+
HF
N2
CF+
PO
O2
AlO
CN-
OH+
SH+
HCl+
SH
TiO
A H+
NS+
HeH+
VO
PO+
SiP
FeC
3 A oms
H2O
HCO+
HCN
OCS
HNC
H2S
N2H+
C2H
SO2
HCO
HNO
HCS+
HOC+
SiC2
C2S
C3
CO2
CH2
C2O
MgNC
NH2
NaCN
N2O
MgCN
H3+
SiCN
AlNC
SiNC
HCP
CCP
AlOH
H2O+
H2Cl+
KCN
FeCN
HO2
TiO2
CCN
SiCSi
S2H
HCS
HSC
NCO
CaNC
NCS
MgC2
HSO
CaC2
4 A oms
NH3
H2CO
HNCO
H2CS
C2H2
C3N
HNCS
HOCO+
C3O
l-C3H
HCNH+
H3O+
C3S
c-C3H
HC2N
H2CN
SiC3
CH3
C3N-
PH3
HCNO
HOCN
HSCN
HOOH
l-C3H+
HMgNC
HCCO
CNCN
HONO
MgCCH
HCCS
HNCN
H2NC
HCCS+
CH3+
HCNS
HOCS+
HNSO
5 A oms
HC3N
HCOOH
CH2NH
NH2CN
H2CCO
C4H
SiH4
c-C3H2
CH2CN
C5
SiC4
H2CCC
CH4
HCCNC
HNCCC
H2COH+
C4H-
CNCHO
HNCNH
CH3O
NH3D+
H2NCO+
NCCNH+
CH3Cl
MgC3N
HC3O+
NH2OH
HC3S+
H2CCS
C4S
CHOSH
HCSCN
HC3O
NaCCCN
MgC3N+
C2H3+
NCCHS
6 A oms
CH3OH
CH3CN
NH2CHO
CH3SH
C2H4
C5H
CH3NC
HC2CHO
H2C4
C5S
HC3NH+
C5N
HC4H
HC4N
c-H2C3O
CH2CNH
C5N-
HNCHCN
SiH3CN
MgC4H
CH3CO+
H2CCCS
CH2CCH
HCSCCH
C5O
HCCNCH+
C5H+
c-C5H
HC4S
HMgCCCN
MgC4H+
H2C3H+
HOCOOH
H2C3N
H2CNCN
7 A oms
CH3CHO
CH3CCH
CH3NH2
CH2CHCN
HC5N
C6H
c-C2H4O
CH2CHOH
C6H-
CH3NCO
HC5O
HOCH2CN
HC4NC
HC3HNH
c-C3HCCH
MgC5N
CH2C3N
l-H2C5
NC4NH+
MgC5N+
8 A oms
HCOOCH3
CH3C3N
C7H
CH3COOH
H2C6
CH2OHCHO
HC6H
CH2CHCHO
CH2CCHCN
NH2CH2CN
CH3CHNH
CH3SiH3
NH2CONH2
HCCCH2CN
CH2CHCCH
MgC6H
C2H3NH2
HOCHCHOH
HCCCHCCC
C7N-
CH3CHCO
MgC6H+
9 A oms
CH3OCH3
CH3CH2OH
CH3CH2CN
HC7N
CH3C4H
C8H
CH3CONH2
C8H-
CH2CHCH3
CH3CH2SH
HC7O
CH3NHCHO
H2CCCHCCH
HCCCHCHCN
H2CCHC3N
10 A oms
CH3COCH3
HOCH2CH2OH
CH3CH2CHO
CH3C5N
CH3CHCH2O
CH3OCH2OH
H2CCCHC3N
C6H4
C2H5NCO
HC7NH+
CH3CHCHCN
CH2CCH3CN
CH2CHCH2CN
NH2COCH2OH
CH3CH2CCH
11 A oms
HC9N
CH3C6H
C2H5OCHO
CH3COOCH3
CH3COCH2OH
C5H6
NH2CH2CH2OH
CH2CCHC4H
C10H-
C4H5CN
12 A oms
C6H6
n-C3H7CN
i-C3H7CN
C2H5OCH3
1-C5H5CN
2-C5H5CN
n-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-C4H8
13+ A oms
C6H5CN
HC11N
1-C5H5CCH
2-C5H5CCH
c-C5H4CCH2
CH3OCH2CH2OH
c-C6H5CCH
1-C10H7CN
2-C10H7CN
C9H8
2-C9H7CN
C60
C60+
C70
307 Molecules
Las Upda ed: 31 Dec 2024
McGui e 2022
New complex molecules
added equen ly!
Dime hyl sulfide!
CH3SCH3
Sanz-No o e al., 2025
(see Sanz-No o & San And és pos e s! )
High-mass G+0.69 Cloud
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
A Complex Molecula Uni e se
Known In e s ella Molecules C ea ed wi h ASTROMOL 2021.9.1
bmcgui 2.gi hub.io/as omol
McGui e 2022 ApJS 259, 30
2 A oms
CH
CN
CH+
OH
CO
H2
SiO
CS
SO
SiS
NS
C2
NO
HCl
NaCl
AlCl
KCl
AlF
PN
SiC
CP
NH
SiN
SO+
CO+
HF
N2
CF+
PO
O2
AlO
CN-
OH+
SH+
HCl+
SH
TiO
A H+
NS+
HeH+
VO
PO+
SiP
FeC
3 A oms
H2O
HCO+
HCN
OCS
HNC
H2S
N2H+
C2H
SO2
HCO
HNO
HCS+
HOC+
SiC2
C2S
C3
CO2
CH2
C2O
MgNC
NH2
NaCN
N2O
MgCN
H3+
SiCN
AlNC
SiNC
HCP
CCP
AlOH
H2O+
H2Cl+
KCN
FeCN
HO2
TiO2
CCN
SiCSi
S2H
HCS
HSC
NCO
CaNC
NCS
MgC2
HSO
CaC2
4 A oms
NH3
H2CO
HNCO
H2CS
C2H2
C3N
HNCS
HOCO+
C3O
l-C3H
HCNH+
H3O+
C3S
c-C3H
HC2N
H2CN
SiC3
CH3
C3N-
PH3
HCNO
HOCN
HSCN
HOOH
l-C3H+
HMgNC
HCCO
CNCN
HONO
MgCCH
HCCS
HNCN
H2NC
HCCS+
CH3+
HCNS
HOCS+
HNSO
5 A oms
HC3N
HCOOH
CH2NH
NH2CN
H2CCO
C4H
SiH4
c-C3H2
CH2CN
C5
SiC4
H2CCC
CH4
HCCNC
HNCCC
H2COH+
C4H-
CNCHO
HNCNH
CH3O
NH3D+
H2NCO+
NCCNH+
CH3Cl
MgC3N
HC3O+
NH2OH
HC3S+
H2CCS
C4S
CHOSH
HCSCN
HC3O
NaCCCN
MgC3N+
C2H3+
NCCHS
6 A oms
CH3OH
CH3CN
NH2CHO
CH3SH
C2H4
C5H
CH3NC
HC2CHO
H2C4
C5S
HC3NH+
C5N
HC4H
HC4N
c-H2C3O
CH2CNH
C5N-
HNCHCN
SiH3CN
MgC4H
CH3CO+
H2CCCS
CH2CCH
HCSCCH
C5O
HCCNCH+
C5H+
c-C5H
HC4S
HMgCCCN
MgC4H+
H2C3H+
HOCOOH
H2C3N
H2CNCN
7 A oms
CH3CHO
CH3CCH
CH3NH2
CH2CHCN
HC5N
C6H
c-C2H4O
CH2CHOH
C6H-
CH3NCO
HC5O
HOCH2CN
HC4NC
HC3HNH
c-C3HCCH
MgC5N
CH2C3N
l-H2C5
NC4NH+
MgC5N+
8 A oms
HCOOCH3
CH3C3N
C7H
CH3COOH
H2C6
CH2OHCHO
HC6H
CH2CHCHO
CH2CCHCN
NH2CH2CN
CH3CHNH
CH3SiH3
NH2CONH2
HCCCH2CN
CH2CHCCH
MgC6H
C2H3NH2
HOCHCHOH
HCCCHCCC
C7N-
CH3CHCO
MgC6H+
9 A oms
CH3OCH3
CH3CH2OH
CH3CH2CN
HC7N
CH3C4H
C8H
CH3CONH2
C8H-
CH2CHCH3
CH3CH2SH
HC7O
CH3NHCHO
H2CCCHCCH
HCCCHCHCN
H2CCHC3N
10 A oms
CH3COCH3
HOCH2CH2OH
CH3CH2CHO
CH3C5N
CH3CHCH2O
CH3OCH2OH
H2CCCHC3N
C6H4
C2H5NCO
HC7NH+
CH3CHCHCN
CH2CCH3CN
CH2CHCH2CN
NH2COCH2OH
CH3CH2CCH
11 A oms
HC9N
CH3C6H
C2H5OCHO
CH3COOCH3
CH3COCH2OH
C5H6
NH2CH2CH2OH
CH2CCHC4H
C10H-
C4H5CN
12 A oms
C6H6
n-C3H7CN
i-C3H7CN
C2H5OCH3
1-C5H5CN
2-C5H5CN
n-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-C4H8
13+ A oms
C6H5CN
HC11N
1-C5H5CCH
2-C5H5CCH
c-C5H4CCH2
CH3OCH2CH2OH
c-C6H5CCH
1-C10H7CN
2-C10H7CN
C9H8
2-C9H7CN
C60
C60+
C70
307 Molecules
Las Upda ed: 31 Dec 2024
McGui e 2022
New complex molecules
added equen ly!
Cyclop opene hione! c-C3H2S
Remijan e al., 2025
Low-mass
TMC-1 Cloud
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
A Complex Molecula Uni e se
Known In e s ella Molecules C ea ed wi h ASTROMOL 2021.9.1
bmcgui 2.gi hub.io/as omol
McGui e 2022 ApJS 259, 30
2 A oms
CH
CN
CH+
OH
CO
H2
SiO
CS
SO
SiS
NS
C2
NO
HCl
NaCl
AlCl
KCl
AlF
PN
SiC
CP
NH
SiN
SO+
CO+
HF
N2
CF+
PO
O2
AlO
CN-
OH+
SH+
HCl+
SH
TiO
A H+
NS+
HeH+
VO
PO+
SiP
FeC
3 A oms
H2O
HCO+
HCN
OCS
HNC
H2S
N2H+
C2H
SO2
HCO
HNO
HCS+
HOC+
SiC2
C2S
C3
CO2
CH2
C2O
MgNC
NH2
NaCN
N2O
MgCN
H3+
SiCN
AlNC
SiNC
HCP
CCP
AlOH
H2O+
H2Cl+
KCN
FeCN
HO2
TiO2
CCN
SiCSi
S2H
HCS
HSC
NCO
CaNC
NCS
MgC2
HSO
CaC2
4 A oms
NH3
H2CO
HNCO
H2CS
C2H2
C3N
HNCS
HOCO+
C3O
l-C3H
HCNH+
H3O+
C3S
c-C3H
HC2N
H2CN
SiC3
CH3
C3N-
PH3
HCNO
HOCN
HSCN
HOOH
l-C3H+
HMgNC
HCCO
CNCN
HONO
MgCCH
HCCS
HNCN
H2NC
HCCS+
CH3+
HCNS
HOCS+
HNSO
5 A oms
HC3N
HCOOH
CH2NH
NH2CN
H2CCO
C4H
SiH4
c-C3H2
CH2CN
C5
SiC4
H2CCC
CH4
HCCNC
HNCCC
H2COH+
C4H-
CNCHO
HNCNH
CH3O
NH3D+
H2NCO+
NCCNH+
CH3Cl
MgC3N
HC3O+
NH2OH
HC3S+
H2CCS
C4S
CHOSH
HCSCN
HC3O
NaCCCN
MgC3N+
C2H3+
NCCHS
6 A oms
CH3OH
CH3CN
NH2CHO
CH3SH
C2H4
C5H
CH3NC
HC2CHO
H2C4
C5S
HC3NH+
C5N
HC4H
HC4N
c-H2C3O
CH2CNH
C5N-
HNCHCN
SiH3CN
MgC4H
CH3CO+
H2CCCS
CH2CCH
HCSCCH
C5O
HCCNCH+
C5H+
c-C5H
HC4S
HMgCCCN
MgC4H+
H2C3H+
HOCOOH
H2C3N
H2CNCN
7 A oms
CH3CHO
CH3CCH
CH3NH2
CH2CHCN
HC5N
C6H
c-C2H4O
CH2CHOH
C6H-
CH3NCO
HC5O
HOCH2CN
HC4NC
HC3HNH
c-C3HCCH
MgC5N
CH2C3N
l-H2C5
NC4NH+
MgC5N+
8 A oms
HCOOCH3
CH3C3N
C7H
CH3COOH
H2C6
CH2OHCHO
HC6H
CH2CHCHO
CH2CCHCN
NH2CH2CN
CH3CHNH
CH3SiH3
NH2CONH2
HCCCH2CN
CH2CHCCH
MgC6H
C2H3NH2
HOCHCHOH
HCCCHCCC
C7N-
CH3CHCO
MgC6H+
9 A oms
CH3OCH3
CH3CH2OH
CH3CH2CN
HC7N
CH3C4H
C8H
CH3CONH2
C8H-
CH2CHCH3
CH3CH2SH
HC7O
CH3NHCHO
H2CCCHCCH
HCCCHCHCN
H2CCHC3N
10 A oms
CH3COCH3
HOCH2CH2OH
CH3CH2CHO
CH3C5N
CH3CHCH2O
CH3OCH2OH
H2CCCHC3N
C6H4
C2H5NCO
HC7NH+
CH3CHCHCN
CH2CCH3CN
CH2CHCH2CN
NH2COCH2OH
CH3CH2CCH
11 A oms
HC9N
CH3C6H
C2H5OCHO
CH3COOCH3
CH3COCH2OH
C5H6
NH2CH2CH2OH
CH2CCHC4H
C10H-
C4H5CN
12 A oms
C6H6
n-C3H7CN
i-C3H7CN
C2H5OCH3
1-C5H5CN
2-C5H5CN
n-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-CH3CH2CH2OH
i-C4H8
13+ A oms
C6H5CN
HC11N
1-C5H5CCH
2-C5H5CCH
c-C5H4CCH2
CH3OCH2CH2OH
c-C6H5CCH
1-C10H7CN
2-C10H7CN
C9H8
2-C9H7CN
C60
C60+
C70
307 Molecules
Las Upda ed: 31 Dec 2024
McGui e 2022
Today, mos new
de ec ions come om
da k clouds!
2021 2025
Pe cen age o known molecules ha we e
de ec ed o he fi s ime in ca bon s a s,
da k clouds, Line-o -sigh (LOS) clouds,
and S a Fo ming Regions (SFR)
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Rich chemis y h oughou !
NASA and he Nigh Sky Ne wo k
Molecula
Li e Cycle
The e is a ich complex
chemis y h oughou he
in e s ella medium (ISM), om
he beginning o he end s ages
o bo h low-mass and high-
mass s a o ma ion
The na al molecula cloud
en i onmen whe e s a s
begin hei li e-cycle se s
cons ain s on ini ial
condi ions ha ge influence
he la e s ages
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Rich chemis y h oughou !
Molecula
Li e Cycle
The e is a ich complex
chemis y h oughou he
in e s ella medium (ISM), om
he beginning o he end s ages
o bo h low-mass and high-
mass s a o ma ion
The na al molecula cloud
en i onmen whe e s a s
begin hei li e-cycle se s
cons ain s on ini ial
condi ions ha ge influence
he la e s ages
+Plane s,
Come s,
Me eo i es
+Disks
NASA and he Nigh Sky Ne wo k
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
(+ see Jenson & Colzi alk! + And as-Le ano szky, Gie s, & S effes pos e s!)
1. Cold and Dense: dense gas ace s such as NH3 (also a empe a u e
p obe) and N2H+ closely ma ch ha o sub-millime e con>nuum
2. Quiescen : no iolen ou?lows o ene ge>c mo>ons, “sha p”
molecula line p ofiles and close- o- he mal linewid hs
- Occasionally In all: obse a>ons o op>cally hick, sel -
abso bed asymme ic line p ofiles o species such as CS,
H2CO, HCN, o HCO+ can ace inwa d mo>on o he gas
3. Chemical depleEon: A oms and molecules in he gas-phase eeze-
ou on o he cold (~10 K) su aces o he sub-mic on dus g ains,
o ming he so-called icy g ain man les
- Leading o Iso opic F acEonaEon: sensi> e o ei he
pho on flux, o gas o g ain empe a u es, he D/H, 13C/12C,
15N/14N, and 18O/16O a>os in molecules can be used o
pinpoin when and whe e hey o med
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Caselli & Cecca elli 2012
Aikawa e al. 2001
S a less and P es ella Co e Cha ac e is ics
+ See also: Dalga no & Lepp
1984; Robe s & Milla 2000;
Caselli e al., 1999; Bacmann
e al., 2002; Ta all a e al. ,
2002, 2006; Pagani e al., 2005
C apsi e al., 2005; Lippok e
al., 2013, e c.,
CCS (g eyscale)
N2H+ (con ou s)
Adap ed om
Scibelli Thesis, 2023
S a less and P es ella Co e Classi ica ions
Dense Co e Classi ica ion
E olu iona y S ages De ini ions Examples
S a less Co e
Chemically Young
•
Low CO deple ion
•
“Ea ly-
ime” molecules (CS,
CCS, e c.) peak on co e
•
“La e- ime” molecules
(NH3, N2H+) e y weak
•Weak deu e a ed molecules
Dynamically Young
•
No e idence in kinema ics
o collapse
•
Lowe olume densi ies (n)
P es ella Co e
Chemically E ol ed
•
High CO deple ion
•
“La e- ime” molecules
(NH3, N2H+) b igh and
cen ally concen a ed
•
B igh deu e a ed
molecules
Dynamically E ol ed
•
Kinema ic collapse is
e iden (i.e., HCN, HCO+
p o iles)
•
High olume densi ies (n)
Mo e E ol ed
n ~ 3 × 105 cm−3
n ~ a ew × 106 cm−3
L1521E
L1544
n ~ a ew × 105 cm−3
L1498
Ta alla & San iago 2004
Jiménez-Se a e al., 2021
Shi ley e al., 2000
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Dense Co e Classi ica ion
E olu iona y S ages De ini ions Examples
S a less Co e
Chemically Young
•
Low CO deple ion
•
“Ea ly-
ime” molecules (CS,
CCS, e c.) peak on co e
•
“La e- ime” molecules
(NH3, N2H+) e y weak
•Weak deu e a ed molecules
Dynamically Young
•
No e idence in kinema ics
o collapse
•
Lowe olume densi ies (n)
P es ella Co e
Chemically E ol ed
•
High CO deple ion
•
“La e- ime” molecules
(NH3, N2H+) b igh and
cen ally concen a ed
•
B igh deu e a ed
molecules
Dynamically E ol ed
•
Kinema ic collapse is
e iden (i.e., HCN, HCO+
p o iles)
•
High olume densi ies (n)
Mo e E ol ed
n ~ 3 × 105 cm−3
n ~ a ew × 106 cm−3
L1521E
L1544
n ~ a ew × 105 cm−3
L1498
Ta alla & San iago 2004
Jiménez-Se a e al., 2021
Shi ley e al., 2000
Whe e do we
see complex
chemis y?
S a less and P es ella Co e Classi ica ions
Adap ed om
Scibelli Thesis, 2023
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
h p://www.esa.in /spaceinimages/Images/2001/05/As obiology
Complex Chemis y in S a less and P es ella Co es
Key ques ion: Wha is he ‘limi ’ o chemical complexi y a his
ea lies s age o s a o ma ion and how widesp ead is i ?
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
h p://www.esa.in /spaceinimages/Images/2001/05/As obiology
Complex Chemis y in S a less and P es ella Co es
Key ques ion: How do la ge molecules o m and ge des oyed in
such cold (10K) and isola ed en i onmen s, and wha ole do
ex e nal ac o s such as adia ion play?
Key ques ion: Wha is he ‘limi ’ o chemical complexi y a his
ea lies s age o s a o ma ion and how widesp ead is i ?
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
h p://www.esa.in /spaceinimages/Images/2001/05/As obiology
Complex Chemis y in S a less and P es ella Co es
Key ques ion: Wha is he deg ee o inhe i ance? Do he o ganic
molecules syn hesized in cold s a less and p es ella co es con ibu e o
he chemical e olu7on needed o he eme gence o li e on Ea h?
Key ques ion: Wha is he ‘limi ’ o chemical complexi y a his
ea lies s age o s a o ma ion and how widesp ead is i ?
Key ques ion: How do la ge molecules o m and ge des oyed in
such cold (10K) and isola ed en i onmen s, and wha ole do
ex e nal ac o s such as adia ion play?
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
I. Labo a o y s udies + Compu a ional Chemis y
II. Theo e ical Models
III. Obse a ions
E.g., Ca l, T. e al., 2023 (+see Mazu ek and Ca l alks!)
E.g., Riedel, W. e al., 2023 (+see Riedel alk!)
E.g., San os, J. e al., 2022, 2024 (+ see San os alk!);
K uczkiewicz e al., 2024 (+ see K uczkiewicz alk!)
-Tell us wha molecules o obse e and can iden i y new species!
-P o ide insigh in o he eac ion ne wo ks (ge binding ene gies,
collisional a es, eac ion a es, e c.,)
-Tell us abou he likely chemical o ma ion pa hways
-Tell us i ha molecule is p esen in an objec and how much
o i is along ou line-o -sigh
See Re iews: Caselli & Cecca elli 2012; Jø gensen e al. 2020;
Öbe g & Be gin e al. 2021; Cecca elli e al., 2023 (PPVII)
The h ee ‘pilla s’ o as ochemis y allow us o
s udy COMs in s a less and p es ella co es, and can
help answe ou key ques ions:
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Deu e a ed Me hyl Me cap an (CH2DSH)!
Bunn e al., 2025
I. Labo a o y s udies + Compu a ional Chemis y
II. Theo e ical Models
III. Obse a ions
E.g., Ca l, T. e al., 2023 (+see Mazu ek and Ca l alks!)
E.g., Riedel, W. e al., 2023 (+see Riedel alk!)
E.g., San os, J. e al., 2022, 2024 (+ see San os alk!);
K uczkiewicz e al., 2024 (+ see K uczkiewicz alk!)
-Tell us wha molecules o obse e and can iden i y new species!
-P o ide insigh in o he eac ion ne wo ks (ge binding ene gies,
collisional a es, eac ion a es, e c.,)
-Tell us abou he likely chemical o ma ion pa hways
-Tell us i ha molecule is p esen in an objec and how much
o i is along ou line-o -sigh
See Re iews: Caselli & Cecca elli 2012; Jø gensen e al. 2020;
Öbe g & Be gin e al. 2021; Cecca elli e al., 2023 (PPVII)
The h ee ‘pilla s’ o as ochemis y allow us o
s udy COMs in s a less and p es ella co es, and can
help answe ou key ques ions:
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Adap ed om Jø gensen e al. 2020
Chemical models p edic
abundances o COMs which can be
cons ained wi h obse a8ons, e.g.,
Vasyunin e al., 2017
CH3OCH3
Co e: L1544
I. Labo a o y s udies + Compu a ional Chemis y
II. Theo e ical Models
III. Obse a ions
E.g., Ca l, T. e al., 2023 (+see Mazu ek and Ca l alks!)
E.g., Riedel, W. e al., 2023 (+see Riedel alk!)
E.g., San os, J. e al., 2022, 2024 (+ see San os alk!);
K uczkiewicz e al., 2024 (+ see K uczkiewicz alk!)
-Tell us wha molecules o obse e and can iden i y new species!
-P o ide insigh in o he eac ion ne wo ks (ge binding ene gies,
collisional a es, eac ion a es, e c.,)
-Tell us abou he likely chemical o ma ion pa hways
-Tell us i ha molecule is p esen in an objec and how much
o i is along ou line-o -sigh
See Re iews: Caselli & Cecca elli 2012; Jø gensen e al. 2020;
Öbe g & Be gin e al. 2021; Cecca elli e al., 2023 (PPVII)
The h ee ‘pilla s’ o as ochemis y allow us o
s udy COMs in s a less and p es ella co es, and can
help answe ou key ques ions:
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Bi hplace o low-mass s a s
(M ≤ a ew M¤)
Dense (104 - 105 cm-3) & cold (≤ 10K )
Bi hplace o low-mass s a s
(M ≤ a ew M¤)
Dense (104 - 105 cm-3) & cold (≤ 10K )
S a less Co e B68
Visible ligh Image
I. Labo a o y s udies + Compu a ional Chemis y
II. Theo e ical Models
III. Obse a ions
E.g., Ca l, T. e al., 2023 (+see Mazu ek and Ca l alks!)
E.g., Riedel, W. e al., 2023 (+see Riedel alk!)
E.g., San os, J. e al., 2022, 2024 (+ see San os alk!);
K uczkiewicz e al., 2024 (+ see K uczkiewicz alk!)
-Tell us wha molecules o obse e and can iden i y new species!
-P o ide insigh in o he eac ion ne wo ks (ge binding ene gies,
collisional a es, eac ion a es, e c.,)
-Tell us abou he likely chemical o ma ion pa hways
-Tell us i ha molecule is p esen in an objec and how much
o i is along ou line-o -sigh
See Re iews: Caselli & Cecca elli 2012; Jø gensen e al. 2020;
Öbe g & Be gin e al. 2021; Cecca elli e al., 2023 (PPVII)
The h ee ‘pilla s’ o as ochemis y allow us o
s udy COMs in s a less and p es ella co es, and can
help answe ou key ques ions:
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
780
752 747 709
715
768
746
739
615
627
642
B5
NGC1333
B1-E
543
491
504
413
479
414
317
355
67
54
B1
339
321
326
264
344
398 256
231 130
L1455
IC348
657
658
656
799
800
Pe 6 L1451
HPZ6
Pe seus Molecula Cloud
~ 300 pc
The P e alence o COMs in S a less and P es ella Co es
B7
B10
B211
B213
B218
B216
17 14
13
12
10
11
9
76
8
5
2
4
27
30
33
32
21
28
24
26 20
16
15
39
37
35
36
29
31
22
Tau us Molecula Cloud L1495-B218
~ 135 pc
Obse a(ons wi h he A izona Radio Obse a o y (ARO) 12 m show COMs
a e p e alen in > 60 ‘ ypical’ s a less and p es ella co es – me hanol
(CH3OH) ound in 100% & ace aldehyde (CH3CHO) ound in > 50%!
Scibelli & Shi ley 2020
3mm
Scibelli e al., 2024
A izona 12m Dish
He schel co e ca alog: Ma sh e al. 2016
NH3 obse a ions: Seo e al., 2015
Wi hin he las 5 yea s, we now know ha complex molecules in s a less and p es ella co es a e no unique o only a
hand ul o objec s, he e is a p e alence o COMs in o he mo e ‘ ypical’ co es in low-mass en i onmen s! LaJanzi e al.
2020; Scibelli & Shi ley 2020; Scibelli e al., 2021; Jiménez-Se a e al. 2021; Megías e al. 2023; Scibelli e al., 2024; Taniguchi e al., 2025;
Scibelli e al., in e iew; S effes e al., in p ep; +O ion co es (ALMASOP Team) Liu+, in p ep; Hsu+ in p ep
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
He schel co e ca alogs: Pezzu o e al. 2021
NH3 obse a ions: Rosolowsky e al. 2008
780
752 747 709
715
768
746
739
615
627
642
B5
NGC1333
B1-E
543
491
504
413
479
414
317
355
67
54
B1
339
321
326
264
344
398 256
231 130
L1455
IC348
657
658
656
799
800
Pe 6 L1451
HPZ6
Pe seus Molecula Cloud
~ 300 pc
The P e alence o COMs in S a less and P es ella Co es
He schel co e ca alogs: Pezzu o e al. 2021
NH3 obse a ions: Rosolowsky e al. 2008
Scibelli e al., 2024
Yebes 40m Dish
7mm
De ec ion Pe cen ages: 80 %
60 %
93 % 34 % 27 %
+ Yebes 40m Obse a>ons w/ 18.5 GHz o ins an aneous
bandwid h allowed o he de ec>on o o he COMs!
Wi hin he las 5 yea s, we now know ha complex molecules in s a less and p es ella co es a e no unique o only a
hand ul o objec s, he e is a p e alence o COMs in o he mo e ‘ ypical’ co es in low-mass en i onmen s! LaJanzi e al.
2020; Scibelli & Shi ley 2020; Scibelli e al., 2021; Jiménez-Se a e al. 2021; Megías e al. 2023; Scibelli e al., 2024; Taniguchi e al., 2025;
Scibelli e al., in e iew; S effes e al., in p ep; +O ion co es (ALMASOP Team) Liu+, in p ep; Hsu+ in p ep
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Scibelli e al., 2024
Boo h e al., 2021; E ans e al., 2025 (see E ans pos e !)
CH3OH is a good ace molecule o
compa e abundances agains because
i o ms on he g ains and belie ed o
su i e he disk o ma ion p ocess
Seeded Chemical
Complexi y
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Pueng hese obse aEons oge he , we plo COM
abundances wi h espec o me hanol ac oss
diffe en s ages o low-mass s a o maEon
à
Seeded Chemical
Complexi y
Pueng hese obse aEons oge he , we plo COM
abundances wi h espec o me hanol ac oss
diffe en s ages o low-mass s a o maEon
à
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
+ Megías e al. 2023, Nagy e al. 2019; Scibelli e al.
2021, Scibelli & Shi ley 2020, Jiménez-Se a e al.
2016, 2021, Vas el e al. 2014; La anzi e al. 2020,
Bacmann e al. 2012; Yoshida e al. 2019, Yan g e al.
2021, G aninge e al. 2016; Be gne e al. 2017, an
Gelde e al. 2020; Naza i e al. 2021, Calcu e al.
2018; Jø gensen e al. 2018. Walsh e al. 2016;
Loomis e al. 2018; Fa e e al. 2018, Bi e &
Bockelée-Mo an 2019, Hänni e al. 2023 Scibelli e al., 2024
Seeded Chemical
Complexi y
+ Megías e al. 2023, Nagy e al. 2019; Scibelli e al.
2021, Scibelli & Shi ley 2020, Jiménez-Se a e al.
2016, 2021, Vas el e al. 2014; La anzi e al. 2020,
Bacmann e al. 2012; Yoshida e al. 2019, Yan g e al.
2021, G aninge e al. 2016; Be gne e al. 2017, an
Gelde e al. 2020; Naza i e al. 2021, Calcu e al.
2018; Jø gensen e al. 2018. Walsh e al. 2016;
Loomis e al. 2018; Fa e e al. 2018, Bi e &
Bockelée-Mo an 2019, Hänni e al. 2023 Scibelli e al., 2024
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
+V883 O i; Jeong e al., 2025
Pueng hese obse aEons oge he , we plo COM
abundances wi h espec o me hanol ac oss
diffe en s ages o low-mass s a o maEon
à
Seeded Chemical
Complexi y
Simila i>es in abundances ac oss s ages and
en i onmen s p o ides e idence ha a leas
some o he COMS obse ed in la e s ages o
s a and plane o ma>on we e inhe i ed om
he cold p es ella co e phase
+V883 O i; Jeong e al., 2025
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Pueng hese obse aEons oge he , we plo COM
abundances wi h espec o me hanol ac oss
diffe en s ages o low-mass s a o maEon
à
+ Megías e al. 2023, Nagy e al. 2019; Scibelli e al.
2021, Scibelli & Shi ley 2020, Jiménez-Se a e al.
2016, 2021, Vas el e al. 2014; La anzi e al. 2020,
Bacmann e al. 2012; Yoshida e al. 2019, Yan g e al.
2021, G aninge e al. 2016; Be gne e al. 2017, an
Gelde e al. 2020; Naza i e al. 2021, Calcu e al.
2018; Jø gensen e al. 2018. Walsh e al. 2016;
Loomis e al. 2018; Fa e e al. 2018, Bi e &
Bockelée-Mo an 2019, Hänni e al. 2023 Scibelli e al., 2024
Seeded Chemical
Complexi y
A nice ‘global iew’… bu i is s>ll unclea i
mo e subs an>al diffe ences in abundances
om co e o co e a e due o:
-SpaEal a iaEons
-Diffe en chemical condiEons/p ocesses
-Diffe en e oluEon his o ies
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
+V883 O i; Jeong e al., 2025
+ Megías e al. 2023, Nagy e al. 2019; Scibelli e al.
2021, Scibelli & Shi ley 2020, Jiménez-Se a e al.
2016, 2021, Vas el e al. 2014; La anzi e al. 2020,
Bacmann e al. 2012; Yoshida e al. 2019, Yan g e al.
2021, G aninge e al. 2016; Be gne e al. 2017, an
Gelde e al. 2020; Naza i e al. 2021, Calcu e al.
2018; Jø gensen e al. 2018. Walsh e al. 2016;
Loomis e al. 2018; Fa e e al. 2018, Bi e &
Bockelée-Mo an 2019, Hänni e al. 2023 Scibelli e al., 2024
Pueng hese obse aEons oge he , we plo COM
abundances wi h espec o me hanol ac oss
diffe en s ages o low-mass s a o maEon
à
Spa ial Dis ibu ion o COMs
CH3OH de ec ed a
as low as A ~ 3-4 mag!
Dus
peak
CH3OH
C4H
Dus
peak
L1544 ALMA Field
Spezzano e al., 2017
Ce nicha o e al., 2023
C6H5CN
Dus
peak
TMC-1
Tau us Molecula Cloud L1495-B218
Scibelli & Shi ley 2020
(+ see also Spezzano e al., 2021, Punano a e al., 2022)
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
The e has been effo o map simple COMs (mos ly CH3OH)
in dense co es wi h single-dish adio elescopes, which show:
-Chemical diffe enEaEon, i.e., diffe ences in spaEal dis ibuEon,
column densiEes, and empe a u es be ween species
-COMs ace filamen s, a low A , as well as dense co es
(Bizzocchi e al. 2014; Soma e al. 2015; Spezzano e al., 2016, 2017,
2020, Nagy e al., 2019, Scibelli & Shi ley 2020, Punano a e al.,
2022, 2025; Ce nicha o e al., 2023)
Spa ial Dis ibu ion o COMs
CH3OH de ec ed a
as low as A ~ 3-4 mag!
Dus
peak
CH3OH
C4H
Dus
peak
L1544 ALMA Field
Spezzano e al., 2017
Ce nicha o e al., 2023
C6H5CN
Dus
peak
TMC-1
Tau us Molecula Cloud L1495-B218
Scibelli & Shi ley 2020
(+ see also Spezzano e al., 2021, Punano a e al., 2022)
S>ll unknown is he spa>al
dis ibu>on o la ge COMs
o high sensi> i y o a
a ie y o co es, pa >cula ly
p es ella ones!
ALMA Band 1 can help?
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
The e has been effo o map simple COMs (mos ly CH3OH)
in dense co es wi h single-dish adio elescopes, which show:
-Chemical diffe enEaEon, i.e., diffe ences in spaEal dis ibuEon,
column densiEes, and empe a u es be ween species
-COMs ace filamen s, a low A , as well as dense co es
(Bizzocchi e al. 2014; Soma e al. 2015; Spezzano e al., 2016, 2017,
2020, Nagy e al., 2019, Scibelli & Shi ley 2020, Punano a e al.,
2022, 2025; Ce nicha o e al., 2023)
Modeling he Radial Abundance o COMs
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Scibelli e al., 2021
Co e: L1498
Me hanol peak
Jiménez-Se a e al. 2021 (w/ MONACO code: Vasyunin & He bs 2013;
Vasyunin e al. 2017)
Ongoing chemical modeling effo s aimed a ep oducing COM
abundances in s a less and p es ella co es, in o de o dis,nguish
be ween COM o ma,on pa hways, sugges ,
-Gas-phase and g ain su ace chemis y is needed o enhance COM
abundances a cold (10 K) empe a u es
-Models wi h diffe en mechanisms o geeng molecules off g ains
in o he gas-phase (e.g., chemical deso pEon, cosmic ays) can ( o
he mos pa ) ep oduce O-bea ing COM abundances
(Vasyunin & He bs 2013; Ruaud e al., 2015; Vasyunin e al. 2017;
Shingledecke & He bs 2018; Shingledecke e al., 2018; Jin & Ga od
2020; Wakelam e al., 2021; Ga od e al., 2022; Kal āns & Silsbee 2022;
Pauli e, Ca de & He bs 2022)
Scibelli e al., 2021
Complex Chemis y in S a less and P es ella
Co es: Summa y and Impo an Takeaways
“Answe ed” “Unanswe ed”
- COMs a e p e alen
in nume ous s a less
and p es ella co es in
diffe en low-mass
molecula clouds
- Bo h gas-phase and
g ain-su ace eacIons
play a key ole (e.g.,
deso p(on and non-
diffusi e su ace
chemis y)
- S ong e idence o
sugges ha a leas
some o he o ganics
obse ed in la e s ages
was inhe i ed om he
p es ella phase
- Wha causes
a ia(ons in COM
de ec(ons and
abundances?
- Wha is he spaIal
(+kinemaIc!)
dis ibuIon o la ge
COMs in p es ella
co e(s) – can i help us
cons ain models?
- Modeling ni ogen-
bea ing COM
o maIon a his ea ly
s age is needed!
- Wha is he deg ee o
inhe i ance? How can
we es his?
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Key ques ion: Wha is he ‘limi ’ o chemical complexi y a his
ea lies s age o s a o ma ion and how widesp ead is i ?
Key ques ion: Wha is he deg ee o inhe i ance? Do he o ganic
molecules syn hesized in cold s a less and p es ella co es con ibu e o
he chemical e olu7on needed o he eme gence o li e on Ea h?
Key ques ion: How do la ge molecules o m and ge des oyed in
such cold (10K) and isola ed en i onmen s, and wha ole do ex e nal
ac o s such as adia ion play?
* ‘S a less co e’ is a gene ic 'dense co e’ ( aced by species such as NH3 and N2H+)
wi h no p o os a p esen , whe eas ‘p es ella co e’ is a e m designa ed o a
dense co e ha is dynamically e ol ed and will collapse due o g a i y and
ex e nal p essu e and o m a p o os a , p o oplane a y disk, e c.,
Complex Chemis y in S a less and P es ella
Co es: Summa y and Impo an Takeaways
Thank you o you a,en.on!
Looking o wa d o a g ea
week o science!
J
ESO “Towa ds New F on ie s” 10-14 Ma ch 2025
Con ac : sscibell@n ao.edu
Key ques ion: Wha is he ‘limi ’ o chemical complexi y a his
ea lies s age o s a o ma ion and how widesp ead is i ?
Key ques ion: Wha is he deg ee o inhe i ance? Do he o ganic
molecules syn hesized in cold s a less and p es ella co es con ibu e o
he chemical e olu7on needed o he eme gence o li e on Ea h?
Key ques ion: How do la ge molecules o m and ge des oyed in
such cold (10K) and isola ed en i onmen s, and wha ole do ex e nal
ac o s such as adia ion play?
* ‘S a less co e’ is a gene ic 'dense co e’ ( aced by species such as NH3 and N2H+)
wi h no p o os a p esen , whe eas ‘p es ella co e’ is a e m designa ed o a
dense co e ha is dynamically e ol ed and will collapse due o g a i y and
ex e nal p essu e and o m a p o os a , p o oplane a y disk, e c.,
“Answe ed” “Unanswe ed”
- COMs a e p e alen
in nume ous s a less
and p es ella co es in
diffe en low-mass
molecula clouds
- Bo h gas-phase and
g ain-su ace eacIons
play a key ole (e.g.,
deso p(on and non-
diffusi e su ace
chemis y)
- S ong e idence o
sugges ha a leas
some o he o ganics
obse ed in la e s ages
was inhe i ed om he
p es ella phase
- Wha causes
a ia(ons in COM
de ec(ons and
abundances?
- Wha is he spaIal
(+kinemaIc!)
dis ibuIon o la ge
COMs in p es ella
co e(s) – can i help us
cons ain models?
- Modeling ni ogen-
bea ing COM
o maIon a his ea ly
s age is needed!
- Wha is he deg ee o
inhe i ance? How can
we es his?
