Estereina

Estereina is a fictional chemical compound that appears in the novel "The Martian" by Andy Weir. In the story, the protagonist, Mark Watney, a botanist and astronaut stranded on Mars, needs to grow food to survive. He discovers that a significant amount of water, crucial for his survival and the cultivation of potatoes, is trapped in the Martian soil as a hydrate of a substance called esterene. This esterene compound has the ability to absorb and retain a substantial amount of water.

Watney's challenge is to extract this water from the esterene. He devises a method to heat the Martian soil, which causes the esterene to release its bound water in a gaseous form. This water vapor is then collected and condensed, providing Watney with the precious liquid he needs for his makeshift Martian farm. The concept of esterene, while fictional, serves as a plot device to enable the essential element of water availability in a harsh, arid environment, highlighting the ingenuity required for survival in extreme conditions. The properties attributed to esterene are critical for the narrative's plausibility regarding Watney's ability to sustain himself.