A model for gas phase chemistry in interstellar clouds. I - The basic model, library of chemical reactions, and chemistry among C, N, and O compounds

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A time-dependent gas phase chemical model of the chemistry in interstellar clouds is presented which uses a comprehensive library consisting of over 1400 reactions for 137 species. Specified constant density, temperature, and radiation field intensity are used to generate the evolution with time of these species for 10/sup 7/ years in four model clouds to simulate the outer and inner components of zeta Oph and of Orion. No a priori assumptions are made concerning production and loss mechanisms, and the algorithm decides which are the major processes from an extensive list of potential production and loss mechanisms for each species. The C, N, and O families of chemical species are discussed in detail with particular emphasis on production and loss processes, and on the interrelationships among the chemistries of these families. A number of diagrams are used to illustrate the chemistry in interstellar clouds resulting from the models. The utility of the model is that it allows for easy testing of schemes for the chemistry and chemical evolution in interstellar clouds.