Optical properties of poly-HCN and their astronomical applications

Abstract

Can. J. Chem. 72, 678 (1994). Matthews (1992) has proposed that HCN "polymer" is ubiquitous in the solar system. We apply vacuum deposition and spectroscopic techniques previously used on synthetic organic heteropolymers (tholins), kerogens, and meteoritic organic residues to the measurement of the optical constants of poly-HCN in the wavelength range 0.05-40 pm. These measurements allow quantitative comparison with spectrophotometry of organic-rich bodies in the outer solar system. In a specific test of Matthews' hypothesis, poly-HCN fails to match the optical constants of the haze of the Saturnian moon, Titan, in the visible and near-infrared, derived from astronomical observations and standard models of the Titan atmosphere. In contrast, a tholin produced from a simulated Titan atmosphere matches within the probable errors. Poly-HCN is much more N-rich than Titan tholin. [Traduit par la rCdaction]

The surface of (136108) Haumea (2003 EL61), the largest carbon-depleted object in the trans-Neptunian belt

“…In this paper, we also attempt to reporduce data with models by considering the following minor components, CH 4 , poly-HCN, NH 3 , Ammonia Hydrate, Kaolinite, and Ortho-Pyroxene, for which we use the optical constants from Grundy et al (2002), Khare et al (1994), Sill et al 1980), Brown et al (1988), Clark et al (1981), and Brunetto et al (2007), respectively. …”

Analytic Solutions for the Antigreenhouse Effect: Titan and the Early Earth

“…First, Titan's haze is opaque in the ultraviolet but fairly transparent in the visible compared to other abiotic organics (Khare et al 1984, 1994, Sagan et al 1992. Thus organics produced on the early Earth are likely to have values of optical properties such that more of the visible radiation is blocked corresponding to larger values of γ .…”

Prebiotic-chemistry inspired polymer coatings for biomedical and material science applications

“…Matthew's and Ferris' separate studies of HCN polymerization chemistry, as well as Sagan's and Khare's study of tholins, also involved the facile production of complex, highly colored organic polymers. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15] They have also been considered as a potential source of amino acids, nucleobases and peptides on earth and appear to be common throughout our solar system. For example, these materials have been proposed to be the source of the distinctive orange, redbrown and black colors of comets and the atmosphere of planets and moons such as Saturn, Jupiter and Titan and carbonaceous meteorites, indicating their abundance in our solar system and the universe, respectively.…”

“…For example, these materials have been proposed to be the source of the distinctive orange, redbrown and black colors of comets and the atmosphere of planets and moons such as Saturn, Jupiter and Titan and carbonaceous meteorites, indicating their abundance in our solar system and the universe, respectively. 10,[14][15][16] However, the focus of prebiotic chemistry has always been on understanding the chemical origin of life and thus has remained highly fundamental research. 4 The application of prebiotic chemistry and specifically prebiotic polymers to material science has not been reported.…”