Why is benzonitrile studied in astronomical environments?

Label:chem

Topic
Benzonitrile, along with other polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like 1- and 2-cyano-naphthalene, are observed in cold molecular clouds, but their abundances differ significantly from current astrochemical models. This suggests a need for more understanding of their formation and destruction pathways.
Answer
Benzonitrile is studied to understand the interplay of bottom-up growth and top-down destruction processes of (polycyclic) aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in astronomical environments such as the interstellar medium or (exo)planetary atmospheres, particularly because its observed molecular abundances do not align with current astrochemical models.
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