Abstract
The formation of HCN1 and chromophores2 are two of the major unsolved problems of the atmospheric chemistry of Jupiter. The question to be dealt with is the same in each case: how can these unsaturated organic compounds be formed in the highly reducing atmosphere2 (89% H2) present on Jupiter? The photolysis of ammonia/acetylene mixtures provides an answer to this question. Here we report the formation of both HCN and chromophores along with experimental data which support the premise that this photochemical process provides a route for the formation of both substances. It is not clear whether significant amounts of HCN are also formed by lightning on Jupiter3,4.
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Ferris, J., Ishikawa, Y. HCN and chromophore formation on Jupiter. Nature 326, 777–778 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/326777a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/326777a0
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