Complex organic molecules
I am studying astronomy and came across the following term in the astrochemistry course called 'complex organic molecules' or also written as COMs. My question is: What is exactly meant with these molecules? Is it just a molecule with more than one carbon atom?
organic-chemistry
asked 6 hours ago
DaniDani
1364
New contributor
Dani is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
I am studying astronomy and came across the following term in the astrochemistry course called 'complex organic molecules' or also written as COMs. My question is: What is exactly meant with these molecules? Is it just a molecule with more than one carbon atom?
organic-chemistry
asked 6 hours ago
DaniDani
1364
New contributor
Dani is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
This Wikipedia may be helpful.
– Mathew Mahindaratne
6 hours ago
add a comment |
I am studying astronomy and came across the following term in the astrochemistry course called 'complex organic molecules' or also written as COMs. My question is: What is exactly meant with these molecules? Is it just a molecule with more than one carbon atom?
organic-chemistry
asked 6 hours ago
DaniDani
1364
New contributor
Dani is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
I am studying astronomy and came across the following term in the astrochemistry course called 'complex organic molecules' or also written as COMs. My question is: What is exactly meant with these molecules? Is it just a molecule with more than one carbon atom?
organic-chemistry
organic-chemistry
asked 6 hours ago
DaniDani
1364
New contributor
Dani is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 6 hours ago
DaniDani
1364
New contributor
Dani is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 6 hours ago
DaniDani
1364
New contributor
Dani is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 6 hours ago
DaniDani
1364
asked 6 hours ago
DaniDani
1364
1364
New contributor
Dani is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Dani is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Dani is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
1
This Wikipedia may be helpful.
– Mathew Mahindaratne
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1
This Wikipedia may be helpful.
– Mathew Mahindaratne
6 hours ago
1
1
This Wikipedia may be helpful.
– Mathew Mahindaratne
6 hours ago
This Wikipedia may be helpful.
– Mathew Mahindaratne
6 hours ago
add a comment |
1 Answer
1
active
oldest
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tl;dr: two different definitions. Astronomy: multiple carbon atoms in molecule. Chemistry: polymer
Interestingly enough, after reading about COMs here, as well as reading the Wikipedia page and the corresponding arXiv paper, it seems like chemists and astronomers have different definitions of what a complex organic molecule should be!
As far as I knew, in chemistry complex organic molecules were long polymers, such as proteins, which were composed of thousands upon thousands of amino acid units. In the astronomy paper, however, they cite other types of molecules.
$ce{CH3OH,
CH3CHO, HCOOCH3 and CH3OCH3}$, all cited as "complex" (haha) organic molecules in the paper, would appear to chemists as relatively simple molecules. (I read the paper, because it piqued my interest that something like a protein could be found in space). I then read the Springer article.
The term “complex organic molecules” is used differently in astronomy and chemistry. In astronomy, complex organic molecules are molecules with multiple carbon atoms such as benzene and acetic acid. These molecules have been detected in interstellar space with radio telescopes. In chemistry, “complex organic molecules” refer to polymer-like molecules such as proteins.
answered 5 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
955420
5
I think the term is highly context dependent. In space molecules are pretty complex in that environment. Some chemists would argue that polymers are complex (others would disagree as they are big but repetitive so don't contain much complexity) Others (like me) would argue that molecules like taxol are complex because it has 4-fused different-sized rings in its core and 10 stereo centres and I don't have enough atoms in my modelling kit to come close to building it.
– matt_black
5 hours ago
@matt_black just looked at taxol: wow that structure is intense (and it also looks so poisonous)
– JavaScriptCoder
5 hours ago
It is poisonous, but it is far more poisonous to cancer cells than people hence its use in cancer treatments.
– matt_black
4 hours ago
6
Don't even think about asking astronomers to define "metals" if this upsets you!
– Chris H
4 hours ago
1
@ChrisH oh gosh I can just imagine talking to them. "Hey, supernovae make heavy metals like xenon!" Me: :facepalms:
– JavaScriptCoder
3 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
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tl;dr: two different definitions. Astronomy: multiple carbon atoms in molecule. Chemistry: polymer
Interestingly enough, after reading about COMs here, as well as reading the Wikipedia page and the corresponding arXiv paper, it seems like chemists and astronomers have different definitions of what a complex organic molecule should be!
As far as I knew, in chemistry complex organic molecules were long polymers, such as proteins, which were composed of thousands upon thousands of amino acid units. In the astronomy paper, however, they cite other types of molecules.
$ce{CH3OH,
CH3CHO, HCOOCH3 and CH3OCH3}$, all cited as "complex" (haha) organic molecules in the paper, would appear to chemists as relatively simple molecules. (I read the paper, because it piqued my interest that something like a protein could be found in space). I then read the Springer article.
The term “complex organic molecules” is used differently in astronomy and chemistry. In astronomy, complex organic molecules are molecules with multiple carbon atoms such as benzene and acetic acid. These molecules have been detected in interstellar space with radio telescopes. In chemistry, “complex organic molecules” refer to polymer-like molecules such as proteins.
answered 5 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
955420
5
I think the term is highly context dependent. In space molecules are pretty complex in that environment. Some chemists would argue that polymers are complex (others would disagree as they are big but repetitive so don't contain much complexity) Others (like me) would argue that molecules like taxol are complex because it has 4-fused different-sized rings in its core and 10 stereo centres and I don't have enough atoms in my modelling kit to come close to building it.
– matt_black
5 hours ago
@matt_black just looked at taxol: wow that structure is intense (and it also looks so poisonous)
– JavaScriptCoder
5 hours ago
It is poisonous, but it is far more poisonous to cancer cells than people hence its use in cancer treatments.
– matt_black
4 hours ago
6
Don't even think about asking astronomers to define "metals" if this upsets you!
– Chris H
4 hours ago
1
@ChrisH oh gosh I can just imagine talking to them. "Hey, supernovae make heavy metals like xenon!" Me: :facepalms:
– JavaScriptCoder
3 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
tl;dr: two different definitions. Astronomy: multiple carbon atoms in molecule. Chemistry: polymer
Interestingly enough, after reading about COMs here, as well as reading the Wikipedia page and the corresponding arXiv paper, it seems like chemists and astronomers have different definitions of what a complex organic molecule should be!
As far as I knew, in chemistry complex organic molecules were long polymers, such as proteins, which were composed of thousands upon thousands of amino acid units. In the astronomy paper, however, they cite other types of molecules.
$ce{CH3OH,
CH3CHO, HCOOCH3 and CH3OCH3}$, all cited as "complex" (haha) organic molecules in the paper, would appear to chemists as relatively simple molecules. (I read the paper, because it piqued my interest that something like a protein could be found in space). I then read the Springer article.
The term “complex organic molecules” is used differently in astronomy and chemistry. In astronomy, complex organic molecules are molecules with multiple carbon atoms such as benzene and acetic acid. These molecules have been detected in interstellar space with radio telescopes. In chemistry, “complex organic molecules” refer to polymer-like molecules such as proteins.
answered 5 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
955420
5
I think the term is highly context dependent. In space molecules are pretty complex in that environment. Some chemists would argue that polymers are complex (others would disagree as they are big but repetitive so don't contain much complexity) Others (like me) would argue that molecules like taxol are complex because it has 4-fused different-sized rings in its core and 10 stereo centres and I don't have enough atoms in my modelling kit to come close to building it.
– matt_black
5 hours ago
@matt_black just looked at taxol: wow that structure is intense (and it also looks so poisonous)
– JavaScriptCoder
5 hours ago
It is poisonous, but it is far more poisonous to cancer cells than people hence its use in cancer treatments.
– matt_black
4 hours ago
6
Don't even think about asking astronomers to define "metals" if this upsets you!
– Chris H
4 hours ago
1
@ChrisH oh gosh I can just imagine talking to them. "Hey, supernovae make heavy metals like xenon!" Me: :facepalms:
– JavaScriptCoder
3 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
tl;dr: two different definitions. Astronomy: multiple carbon atoms in molecule. Chemistry: polymer
Interestingly enough, after reading about COMs here, as well as reading the Wikipedia page and the corresponding arXiv paper, it seems like chemists and astronomers have different definitions of what a complex organic molecule should be!
As far as I knew, in chemistry complex organic molecules were long polymers, such as proteins, which were composed of thousands upon thousands of amino acid units. In the astronomy paper, however, they cite other types of molecules.
$ce{CH3OH,
CH3CHO, HCOOCH3 and CH3OCH3}$, all cited as "complex" (haha) organic molecules in the paper, would appear to chemists as relatively simple molecules. (I read the paper, because it piqued my interest that something like a protein could be found in space). I then read the Springer article.
The term “complex organic molecules” is used differently in astronomy and chemistry. In astronomy, complex organic molecules are molecules with multiple carbon atoms such as benzene and acetic acid. These molecules have been detected in interstellar space with radio telescopes. In chemistry, “complex organic molecules” refer to polymer-like molecules such as proteins.
answered 5 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
955420
tl;dr: two different definitions. Astronomy: multiple carbon atoms in molecule. Chemistry: polymer
Interestingly enough, after reading about COMs here, as well as reading the Wikipedia page and the corresponding arXiv paper, it seems like chemists and astronomers have different definitions of what a complex organic molecule should be!
As far as I knew, in chemistry complex organic molecules were long polymers, such as proteins, which were composed of thousands upon thousands of amino acid units. In the astronomy paper, however, they cite other types of molecules.
$ce{CH3OH,
CH3CHO, HCOOCH3 and CH3OCH3}$, all cited as "complex" (haha) organic molecules in the paper, would appear to chemists as relatively simple molecules. (I read the paper, because it piqued my interest that something like a protein could be found in space). I then read the Springer article.
The term “complex organic molecules” is used differently in astronomy and chemistry. In astronomy, complex organic molecules are molecules with multiple carbon atoms such as benzene and acetic acid. These molecules have been detected in interstellar space with radio telescopes. In chemistry, “complex organic molecules” refer to polymer-like molecules such as proteins.
answered 5 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
955420
answered 5 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
955420
answered 5 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
955420
answered 5 hours ago
JavaScriptCoderJavaScriptCoder
955420
955420
5
I think the term is highly context dependent. In space molecules are pretty complex in that environment. Some chemists would argue that polymers are complex (others would disagree as they are big but repetitive so don't contain much complexity) Others (like me) would argue that molecules like taxol are complex because it has 4-fused different-sized rings in its core and 10 stereo centres and I don't have enough atoms in my modelling kit to come close to building it.
– matt_black
5 hours ago
@matt_black just looked at taxol: wow that structure is intense (and it also looks so poisonous)
– JavaScriptCoder
5 hours ago
It is poisonous, but it is far more poisonous to cancer cells than people hence its use in cancer treatments.
– matt_black
4 hours ago
6
Don't even think about asking astronomers to define "metals" if this upsets you!
– Chris H
4 hours ago
1
@ChrisH oh gosh I can just imagine talking to them. "Hey, supernovae make heavy metals like xenon!" Me: :facepalms:
– JavaScriptCoder
3 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
5
I think the term is highly context dependent. In space molecules are pretty complex in that environment. Some chemists would argue that polymers are complex (others would disagree as they are big but repetitive so don't contain much complexity) Others (like me) would argue that molecules like taxol are complex because it has 4-fused different-sized rings in its core and 10 stereo centres and I don't have enough atoms in my modelling kit to come close to building it.
– matt_black
5 hours ago
@matt_black just looked at taxol: wow that structure is intense (and it also looks so poisonous)
– JavaScriptCoder
5 hours ago
It is poisonous, but it is far more poisonous to cancer cells than people hence its use in cancer treatments.
– matt_black
4 hours ago
6
Don't even think about asking astronomers to define "metals" if this upsets you!
– Chris H
4 hours ago
1
@ChrisH oh gosh I can just imagine talking to them. "Hey, supernovae make heavy metals like xenon!" Me: :facepalms:
– JavaScriptCoder
3 hours ago
5
5
I think the term is highly context dependent. In space molecules are pretty complex in that environment. Some chemists would argue that polymers are complex (others would disagree as they are big but repetitive so don't contain much complexity) Others (like me) would argue that molecules like taxol are complex because it has 4-fused different-sized rings in its core and 10 stereo centres and I don't have enough atoms in my modelling kit to come close to building it.
– matt_black
5 hours ago
I think the term is highly context dependent. In space molecules are pretty complex in that environment. Some chemists would argue that polymers are complex (others would disagree as they are big but repetitive so don't contain much complexity) Others (like me) would argue that molecules like taxol are complex because it has 4-fused different-sized rings in its core and 10 stereo centres and I don't have enough atoms in my modelling kit to come close to building it.
– matt_black
5 hours ago
@matt_black just looked at taxol: wow that structure is intense (and it also looks so poisonous)
– JavaScriptCoder
5 hours ago
@matt_black just looked at taxol: wow that structure is intense (and it also looks so poisonous)
– JavaScriptCoder
5 hours ago
It is poisonous, but it is far more poisonous to cancer cells than people hence its use in cancer treatments.
– matt_black
4 hours ago
It is poisonous, but it is far more poisonous to cancer cells than people hence its use in cancer treatments.
– matt_black
4 hours ago
6
6
Don't even think about asking astronomers to define "metals" if this upsets you!
– Chris H
4 hours ago
Don't even think about asking astronomers to define "metals" if this upsets you!
– Chris H
4 hours ago
1
1
@ChrisH oh gosh I can just imagine talking to them. "Hey, supernovae make heavy metals like xenon!" Me: :facepalms:
– JavaScriptCoder
3 hours ago
@ChrisH oh gosh I can just imagine talking to them. "Hey, supernovae make heavy metals like xenon!" Me: :facepalms:
– JavaScriptCoder
3 hours ago
|
show 2 more comments
Dani is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Dani is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Dani is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Dani is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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1
This Wikipedia may be helpful.
– Mathew Mahindaratne
6 hours ago