London- UK– July 29, 2025 – In a groundbreaking achievement that redefines our understanding of chemistry and the cosmos, an international team of scientists has successfully synthesized a molecule long considered “impossible” to exist under normal conditions. This once-theoretical compound, created in a laboratory mimicking the extreme environments of deep space, not only offers profound new insights into interstellar chemistry but also provides the missing piece to a century-old chemical enigma.
The molecule in question is methanetetrol, a unique alcohol characterized by four hydroxyl (OH) groups bonded to a single carbon atom. For over 100 years, its theoretical existence has been debated, but its inherent instability in Earth’s atmosphere made its direct observation impossible – until now.
Researchers achieved this feat by replicating the frigid, near-vacuum conditions of interstellar clouds, combined with intense radiation. In this cosmic crucible, they observed the formation of methanetetrol. This breakthrough suggests that complex chemical reactions, previously thought unlikely, can indeed occur in the vast, icy dust clouds where stars and planets are born.
The discovery has significant implications for astrochemistry, offering a surprising pathway for how complex organic compounds – the very building blocks of life – might evolve in the universe. By proving that methanetetrol can form under these extreme cosmic conditions, scientists have opened new avenues for exploring the rich and dynamic molecular processes at play in the cosmos.
Beyond its cosmic relevance, the successful synthesis of methanetetrol resolves a century-old chemical mystery. Its observation validates long-standing theoretical predictions, fundamentally challenging conventional assumptions about molecular stability and reactivity. The team utilized powerful vacuum ultraviolet light to detect tiny amounts of the elusive molecule, noting that high-energy particles, akin to cosmic rays, triggered the necessary chemical reactions.
While methanetetrol is far too unstable to naturally persist on Earth, its creation under space-like conditions highlights that the universe is far more chemically active and capable of forming intricate structures than previously imagined. This landmark achievement not only pushes the boundaries of chemical synthesis but also deepens our understanding of the universe’s inherent capacity for complexity.
