University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Italy (http://www.chem.uniroma1.it/~gianturc)
The Research Group is coordinated by Professor Franco A. Gianturco and is involved in the theoretical and computational simulation of a variety of molecular / chemical processes which are of direct interest for the unravelling ,at the nanoscopic level, of astrophysical events that involve molecules , neutral and ionized, electrons and photons. In particular, the group is directly studying the following mechanisms that could provide a better understanding of the formation of increasingly larger Polycondensed Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) starting with expected cornerstones like benzene and benzyne molecules that are forming metastable anionic states leading to ring-opening reactions.
A further class of compounds that are also connected with the formation of metastable and stable anions are the linear carbon chains terminated by either H or N, that have been recently observed in the Interstellar medium: C6H-, C4H-, C8H-, NC4N-, etc. They are all object of analysis and simulation by the Rome group in order to isolate the most likely paths leading electron attachment.
Finally, the study of chemical reactions in the early Universe, and the role played by the chemistry of Lithium-containing species, is also one of the topics regarding the Chemical Cosmos which are pursued by the Rome research group.
For further information about the group and its activitie, please check its website (http://www.chem.uniroma1.it/~gianturc)
