Numerical simulation of organic compounds formation in planetary atmospheres: comparison with laboratory experiments.

A numerical model of CH4 and CH4-NH3 photochemistry at 147 nm has been developed and results are directly compared with experimental simulations carried out for the same mixtures. Simulations with varying quantities of ammonia and hydrogen show how amines and nitriles can be produce in planetary atmospheres. These comparisons allow one to test schemes of reactions used in photochemical models. In particular, it is shown that the scheme of reactions of CH4 is fairly well consistent with experimental data. On the other hand, the photochemistry of NH3 should be improved.