Organic Compounds in the Solar System

Information about the presence of organic and carbon-containing compounds in planets and their atmospheres, in comets, and in meteorites is reviewed. Data on organic compounds present in meteorites are the most important. Numerous studies on such compounds in recent years have led to a significant advance in our knowledge about their nature. In particular, "primary" organic compounds preserved within mineral grains have been detected. These proved to be the compounds which should have been formed in maximum amounts under quasi-equilibrium conditions in the system carbon–hydrogen–oxygen. This finding is based on both theoretical and experimental data. The data concerning the presence of organic compounds in the protoplanetary cloud are used to assess the possible history of these compounds on earth. The bibliography incorporates 108 references.