Interstellar Chemistry in a Glovebox: Elusive DiatomicP≡N Exposed

摘要

What does interstellarchemistryhave in common with a recent coordination complex of the diatomicmolecule P≡N?1 PN is nearing 100years since its discovery in the lab,2 andit is one of the most common phosphorus-containing molecules detectedoutside Earth, yet its coordination chemistry remains largelyunknown. The study of phosphorus, as a rare biogenic element in outerspace, is central to reconstructing a path to its prebiotic chemistry.However, to glimpse into its primordial chemistry, scientists neednot only telescopes pointed at gas giants and exoplanets but alsothe specialized equipment and techniques available to the skilledsynthetic chemist.