Molecular complexity in the interstellar medium (ISM) poses one of the most intriguing challenges in astrochemistry: how can chemical reactions operate efficiently under the extreme physical conditions of space? In this Outlook, we summarize recent advances in understanding the molecular synthesis in the ISM, emphasizing the interplay between gas-phase and grain-surface chemistry. Laboratory studies, ranging from gas-phase kinetics at low temperature to the irradiation of interstellar ice analogues, demonstrate that both energetic and nonenergetic processes contribute to the formation of complex organic and prebiotic molecules. We discuss how accurate exploration of reactive potential energy surfaces by means of quantum-chemical methodologies combined with kinetic simulations provide an atomistic interpretation of the interstellar processes. Despite the advances of the past decade, interstellar chemistry remains in its infancy: reaction networks are incomplete, and quantitative predictions remain limited. This publication is licensed under You are free to share (copy and redistribute) this article in any medium or format and to adapt (remix, transform, and build upon) the material for any purpose, even commercially within the parameters below: Creative Commons (CC): This is a Creative Commons license. Attribution (BY): Credit must be given to the creator. *Disclaimer This summary highlights only some of the key features and terms of the actual license. It is not a license and has no legal value. Carefully review the actual license before using these materials. You are free to share (copy and redistribute) this article in any medium or format and to adapt (remix, transform, and build upon) the material for any purpose, even commercially within the parameters below: Creative Commons (CC): This is a Creative Commons license. Attribution (BY): Credit must be given to the creator. *Disclaimer This summary highlights only some of the key features and terms of the actual license. It is not a license and has no legal value. Carefully review the actual license before using these materials. You are free to share (copy and redistribute) this article in any medium or format and to adapt (remix, transform, and build upon) the material for any purpose, even commercially within the parameters below: Creative Commons (CC): This is a Creative Commons license. Attribution (BY): Credit must be given to the creator. *Disclaimer This summary highlights only some of the key features and terms of the actual license. It is not a license and has no legal value. Carefully review the actual license before using these materials.
Puzzarini et al. (Fri,) studied this question.