Astrochemistry: The building blocks of life in the universe

Abstract

This Special Issue brings together eleven articles that collectively advance our understanding of molecular formation, transformation, and survival across a broad range of astrophysical environments. The contributions investigate radiation-driven chemistry, ice-mediated processes, the evolution of complex organic molecules, and the coupled physical–chemical structure of protostellar and hot-core regions through a combination of laboratory experiments, theoretical modeling, and astronomical observations. Together, the studies demonstrate how key factors-including irradiation, temperature, elemental abundance ratios, ice composition, and dynamical structure—govern the chemistry of both simple and complex species. As a whole, this collection provides an integrated perspective on the processes that build, preserve, and observationally reveal molecular complexity throughout the interstellar medium.