Sulfur and hydrogen isotope anomalies in meteorite sulfonic acids

Science. 1997 Aug 22;277(5329):1072-4. doi: 10.1126/science.277.5329.1072.

Abstract

Intramolecular carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur isotope ratios were measured on a homologous series of organic sulfonic acids discovered in the Murchison meteorite. Mass-independent sulfur isotope fractionations were observed along with high deuterium/hydrogen ratios. The deuterium enrichments indicate formation of the hydrocarbon portion of these compounds in a low-temperature environment that is consistent with that of interstellar clouds. Sulfur-33 enrichments observed in methanesulfonic acid could have resulted from gas-phase ultraviolet irradiation of a precursor, carbon disulfide. The source of the sulfonic acid precursors may have been the reactive interstellar molecule carbon monosulfide.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids / chemistry*
  • Carbon / chemistry
  • Carbon Compounds, Inorganic*
  • Deuterium / analysis*
  • Hydrogen / analysis*
  • Mesylates / chemistry
  • Meteoroids*
  • Sulfides / chemistry
  • Sulfur Isotopes*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • Alkanesulfonic Acids
  • Carbon Compounds, Inorganic
  • Mesylates
  • Sulfides
  • Sulfur Isotopes
  • methanesulfonic acid
  • carbon sulfide
  • Carbon
  • Hydrogen
  • Deuterium