Formation of CmSn compounds by photopolymerization of CS2 in the atmosphere of Jupiter

Toluene extracts from two (CSn)(x) photopolymers were examined with high-pe rformance liquid chromatography (HPLC), matrix-assisted laser desorption io nization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry, particle-induced x-r ay emission (PIXE), and C-12(d,p)C-13 nuclear microprobing. The extracts co ntained elemental S and at least from 17 to 20 distinct CmSn compounds with M/Z less than similar to 500 amu. Whereas H2S is the dominant S-bearing co mpound of the normal jovian atmosphere, elemental S, CS, and CS2 were obser ved at Shoemaker-Levy 9 cometary impact sites and at altitudes of the trans iently disturbed jovian atmosphere where photodissociation and photopolymer ization occur. it is uncertain whether the CS2 molecular densities were suf ficiently large for both to occur, but photopolymerization could have occur red during larger impacts of Jupiter's history. Because the known stable Cm Sn compounds are yellow, orange and deep red, they could contribute signifi cantly to the colors of the jovian clouds.