Resonant dynamics of gas-phase electron-driven reactions: The coronene molecule as a prototype in planetary atmospheres and interstellar clouds

Abstract

We present in this study multichannel scattering calculations for the interaction of low-energy electrons with a fairly large aromatic molecule, the C24H12 system (coronene), that is generally considered representative of medium-size polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) postulated to be present in the interstellar medium (ISM), as well as in diffuse and dense molecular clouds. The reaction dynamics is shown to be undergoing several, well-marked, complex formation processes that provide important precursors to the ensuing evolution, including either the stabilization of the undissociated, bound negative species or fragmentation (dissociative electron attachment) paths.