title: Photochemical reactions in interstellar grains photolysis of CO, NH3, and H2O.
abstract: A simulation of the organic layer accreted onto interstellar dust particles was prepared by slow deposition of a CO:NH2:H2O gas mixture on an Al block at 10 K, with concomitant irradiation with vacuum UV.  The residues were analyzed by GC-MS, HPLC, and near IR; a reaction pathway leading from NH3 to complex alcohol, fatty acid, and amide products in 27 stages is postulated.  The astronomical relevance and significance of the observations are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180-3590, USA.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Agarwal
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schutte
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Ferris
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connor
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Van de Bult
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baas
mesh_terms: D000641:Ammonia / Q000737:chemistry*; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D019443:Cosmic Dust / Q000032:analysis*; D019418:Evolution, Chemical; D005118:Extraterrestrial Environment; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000138:chemical synthesis; D007259:Infrared Rays; D019110:Meteoroids; D000069497:Origin of Life; D010777:Photochemistry; D010782:Photolysis; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D019443:Cosmic Dust; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D014867:Water; D000641:Ammonia; D002248:Carbon Monoxide