Aromatic and heteroatom-containing organic compounds in the lunar samples

The data concerning the indigenous organic compounds in the lunar samples has been consistent. The Apollo 11 sample appeared to be moderately contaminated, and most investigators found known terrestrial artifacts in these samples. The Apollo 12 data indicated that perhaps benzene and toluene were indigenous to the Moon at concentrations below 100 parts per billion. Other, more complex organic molecules (in particular of aromatic structure) might also be present, but in concentrations below 1 ppb. In general, the structural types reported have been relatively simple; perhaps indicating that what little organic chemistry occurs on the lunar surface can best be described as reactions between individual atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.