Hydrogen‐Atom Tunneling Could Contribute to H₂ Formation in Space

Abstract

Cosmic cat.: Tunneling effects in the reaction between hydrogen atoms and benzene have been studied with a new direct dynamics implementation of harmonic quantum transition-state theory. In certain regions of interstellar space, tunneling could facilitate H chemisorption on polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, thereby catalyzing HD and H2 formation.