Molecular study of insoluble organic matter in Kainsaz CO3 carbonaceous chondrite: Comparison with CI and CM IOM

Abstract

Kainsaz CO3 insoluble organic matter (IOM) was studied using Curie point pyrolysis, electronic paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) to determine the effect of thermal metamorphism on molecular chondritic fingerprints. Pyrolysis released a very low amount of products that consist of one- and two-ring aromatic units with methyl, dimethyl, and ethyl substituents. Moreover, Kainsaz IOM contains two orders of magnitude fewer radicals than Orgueil, Murchison, and Tagish Lake IOM. In addition, no diradicaloids were found in Kainsaz, although they are thought to constitute a specific signature for weakly organized extraterrestrial organic compounds in contrast to terrestrial ones. HRTEM reveals a very heterogeneous structure, with microporous disordered carbon, mesoporous graphitic carbons and graphite. Graphitization likely occurs and explains the differences between Kainsaz and CI or CM IOM. Heating stress experienced by Kainsaz IOM, on the parent body and/or prior its accretion, is likely responsible for the differences in molecular and structural organizations compared with those of CI and CM IOM.