Disk Chemistry*

Abstract

The chemical species in protoplanetary disks react with each other. The chemical species control part of the thermal balance in those disks. How the chemistry proceeds in the varied conditions encountered in disks relies on detailed microscopic understanding of the reactions through experiments or theoretical studies. This chapter strives to summarize and explain in simple terms the different types of chemical reactions that can lead to complex species. The first part of the chapter deals with gas-phase chemistry and the second part introduces chemical reactions occurring on grain surfaces. Several terms pertaining to astrochemistry are introduced.