The irradiation of 1:1 mixture of ammonia:carbon dioxide ice at 30 K using 1 kev electrons

In this Letter the results of an experimental investigation of 1 keV electron irradiation of a 1:1 ice mixture of NH3:CO2 at 30 K was made under ultrahigh vacuum (10−9 mbar) conditions. Molecular products formed within the ice were detected and monitored using FTIR spectroscopy. The formation of ammonium ions ( NH 4 + ), cyanate ions (OCN−), CO was observed leading to the synthesis of ammonium carbamate (NH4NH2CO2). The consequences of these results for prebiotic chemistry in the interstellar medium and star forming regions are discussed.