Artist’s impression of cyanocoronene, the largest polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon identified to date. This molecule, consisting of seven interconnected benzene rings with a cyano group (C₂₄H₁₁CN), was detected in the cold, dark molecular cloud TMC-1, a region known for its rich chemistry and star-forming activity .
Credit: NSF/AUI/NSF NRAO/P. Vosteen VIA nrao
Scientists have discovered cyanocoronene (C₂₄H₁₁CN), the largest aromatic molecule ever found in space, in the cold molecular cloud TMC-1, about 440 light-years away .
The molecule was detected using the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) in West Virginia as part of the GOTHAM project. Multiple spectral lines confirmed its presence with a strong statistical significance of 17.3 sigma, leaving no doubt that cyanocoronene exists in the cloud .
Cyanocoronene has a rigid, seven-ring structure made of 24 carbon atoms and a cyano group. Scientists believe it forms when coronene reacts with CN radicals under the cold conditions of space. This shows that complex organic molecules can form even before stars are born and highlights the chemical richness of interstellar space .
Stable molecules like cyanocoronene may act as carbon reservoirs, helping to spread the essential building blocks for life to new planetary systems. This discovery provides fresh insight into the formation of organic compounds and the prebiotic chemistry of the universe .
Reference:
Wenzel, G., Gong, S., Xue, C, , McCarthy, M. C., & Zaleski, D. P. (2025) . Detection of cyanocoronene (C₂₄H₁₁CN) in the TMC-1 molecular cloud . Astrophysical Journal Letters. https://arxiv.org/abs/2504.05232
