More than 300 molecules have been detected in the interstellar medium or circumstellar shells, showing a rich variety of chemicals. Stars in the process of forming, called protostellar objects, contain both simple and complex organic molecules, linked to their characteristics and growth stages. These stars also act as unique labs for studying chemistry in space and the origin of the basic building blocks of life.
In this presentation, I will discuss the observations and astrochemical modeling of various interstellar molecules, their formation, and evolution, and how these findings help us understand and constrain the physical properties of environments where stars are forming.
