Sulfur ion irradiation experiments simulating space weathering of Solar System body surfaces

Abstract

Context. Sulfur (S) is of prime interest in the context of (astro)chemical evolution and habitability. However, the origin of S-bearing organic compounds in the Solar System is still not well constrained. Aims. We carried out laboratory experiments to test whether complex organosulfur compounds can be formed when surfaces of icy Solar System bodies are subject to high-energy S ions. Methods. Non-S-bearing organic residues, formed during the processing of astrophysical H 2 O:CH 3 OH:NH 3 -bearing ice analogs, were irradiated with 105 keV-S 7+ ions at 10 K and analyzed by high-resolving FT-ICR-MS. The resulting data were comprehensively analyzed, including network analysis tools. Results. Out of several thousands of detected compounds, 16% contain at least one sulfur atom (organosulfur (CHNOS) compounds), as verified via isotopic fine structures. These residue-related organosulfur compounds are different from those formed during the S ion irradiation of ices at 10 K. Furthermore, insoluble, apolar material was formed during the sulfur irradiation of residues. Potential organosulfur precursors (CHNO molecules) were identified by means of molecular networks. Conclusions. This evidence of organosulfur compounds formed by sulfur irradiation of organic residues sheds new light onto the rich and complex scope of pristine organosulfur chemistry in the Solar System, presented in the context of current and future space missions. These results indicate that the space weathering of Solar System bodies may lead to the formation of organosulfur compounds.

Soluble organic molecules in samples of the carbonaceous asteroid (162173) Ryugu

“…The compound distribution indicates low-temperature (≲150°C) hydrothermal processing on Ryugu’s parent body ( 19 ). The high diversity of N- and S-bearing molecules in Ryugu indicates that chemical processes occurred involving N and S chemistry ( 20 , 21 ).…”

Network Analysis Reveals Spatial Clustering and Annotation of Complex Chemical Spaces: Application to Astrochemistry

“…The molecular network is clustered according to the NH 3 content (arrow “NH 3 content in ice”, NH 3 poor (blue), NH 3 medium (green), H 2 O rich (gray), and NH 3 rich (red) Figure ). The trend from NH 3 poor to NH 3 rich is intuitive but the H 2 O-rich cluster in between highlights the importance of H 2 O-mediated organic chemistry inside ices. ,, Molecules in the over-irradiation cluster (orange, additional irradiation of the resulting ice residue at 300 K ,,, ) are aligned orthogonal to the “NH 3 content gradient”, accompanied by higher DBE (double bond equivalent) and lower # O (decarboxylation/formation of unsaturated, aromatic structures , ). The same cluster gradient has been observed for component 1 as well and furthermore substructured in each component.…”

Formation, stabilization and fate of acetaldehyde and higher aldehydes in an autonomously changing prebiotic system emerging from acetylene

“…The α,β-unsaturated nature of a part of the formed aldehydes facilitates the functionalization of the formed compounds, as the addition of sulfur shows. The carbon-sulfur bond formation is a sought-after reaction in the field of the origin of life 38,39 . Early papers suggest a thioacid/thioester-based metabolism as a precursor to extant phosphate-based metabolic pathways 40,41 .…”