Cool Stars 14 - Submitted Abstract # 286
This version created on 05 October 2006

Benzene formation in the inner regions of protoplanetary disks


Paul Woods, JPL
Karen Willacy, JPL

Benzene (C6H6) formation in the inner 3 AU of a protoplanetary disk can be 
efficient, and results in high abundances of benzene throughout the 
midplane region. The formation mechanism is different to that found in 
interstellar clouds and in protoplanetary nebulae, and proceeds mainly 
through the reaction between allene (C3H4) and its ion. This has 
implications for PAH formation, although the lifetime of benzene in the 
solar protoplanetary nebula is too short for the benzene detected in 
Jupiter and Saturn to be primordial.

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