Understanding the Fragmentation of Corannulene and Sumanene Cations in Space

Recent research has focused on the photofragmentation of two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), corannulene (C₂₀H₁₀) and sumanene (C₂₁H₁₂), which have implications for astrophysics. These compounds are significant due to their presence in the interstellar medium and their role in the formation of smaller hydrocarbons through fragmentation processes.

The study, conducted by P. Sundararajan and colleagues, investigates how these PAH cations behave when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) photons. The findings reveal that the fragmentation pathways for corannulene and sumanene differ due to their structural variations, particularly the arrangement of pentagon rings within their carbon skeletons. Despite these differences, both compounds produce similar low-mass cations, which could be relevant for astronomical detection.

This research is particularly timely, coinciding with advancements in observational technology, such as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which enhances the ability to detect aromatic infrared bands (AIBs) in the mid-infrared spectra of various cosmic sources. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the fragmentation mechanisms of larger PAHs, as they contribute to the chemical complexity of the universe and the formation of smaller, potentially life-sustaining molecules.

The full research can be accessed through the arXiv repository under the title "Photofragmentation of Corannulene (C₂₀H₁₀) and Sumanene (C₂₁H₁₂) cations in gas phase and its Astrophysical implications" by P. Sundararajan et al. arXiv:2408.13072.