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Ions in space
Author(s) -
Petrie Simon,
Bohme Diethard Kurt
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
mass spectrometry reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.035
H-Index - 126
eISSN - 1098-2787
pISSN - 0277-7037
DOI - 10.1002/mas.20114
Subject(s) - chemistry , extraterrestrial life , reactivity (psychology) , space (punctuation) , astrobiology , ion , molecule , interstellar medium , field (mathematics) , chemical physics , nanotechnology , astrophysics , physics , organic chemistry , philosophy , alternative medicine , mathematics , medicine , linguistics , pathology , galaxy , pure mathematics , materials science
We review the detection history, observation, distribution, and reactivity of molecular ions in extraterrestrial space, with particular (though not exclusive) reference to interstellar monocations. The diversity of interstellar ion chemistry is highlighted with reaction examples, drawn from the authors' own laboratories and elsewhere, and attempt to provide an overview of this broad and increasingly divergent field. Emphasis is given to the role of ions in the synthesis of molecules, including their ability to catalyze the transformation of neutral molecules. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 26:258–280, 2007