Tags: Planet.
Basic hydrocarbons are ubiquitous in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn. The parent molecule methane (CH4) undergoes photochemical reactions which convert it to chain molecules such as acetylene (C2H2) ethylene (C2H4) and ethane (C2H6). The atmosphere of Saturn’s largest moon Titan contains higher mass hydrocarbon ions such as C3H3+ C3H5+ and C5H5+.