Researchers from the University of Michigan (USA) have discovered a new way to form the trihydrogen ion (H3⁺), a molecule that plays a crucial role in star formation and interstellar chemistry. It is present in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn, and is also involved in the formation of complex organic compounds in space. The discovery was published in Nature Communications (NatComms).

A Previously Unknown Pathway for Forming H3⁺

It was previously known that H3⁺ is formed when a hydrogen molecule (H2) collides with its ionized form (H2⁺). However, scientists have suggested that there are other mechanisms that explain its widespread occurrence in the Universe.

Using ultrafast laser spectroscopy and computational models, the researchers observed the formation of H3⁺ in methyl halogens and pseudohalogens, compounds capable of double ionization (the loss of two electrons at once).

The mechanism of "wandering" hydrogen

It turned out that after double ionization, the molecule does not disintegrate instantly. Instead, neutral hydrogen (H2) is released, "wandering" around the molecule until it captures another proton and turns into H3⁺.

This discovery allows us to predict which molecules can generate H3⁺ in this way, which will help in the search for new sources of this molecule in molecular clouds and other cosmic objects.

What does this mean for science?

  • New ideas about the chemistry of space - an alternative source of H3⁺ has been found, which can explain its high concentration in various regions of the Universe.
  • Search for complex organic molecules - the mechanism of "wandering" hydrogen may be associated with the processes of formation of vital compounds.
  • Development of astrochemistry - the results will help build more accurate models of the chemical evolution of space.

Now scientists will be able to more accurately predict the appearance of H3⁺ and search for it in unexplored corners of the Universe, getting closer to understanding the processes that formed our Galaxy.