http://arxiv.org/abs/1906.06508
Complex organic molecules (COMs) have been detected in the gas-phase in cold and lightless molecular cores. Recent solid-state laboratory experiments have provided strong evidence that COMs can be formed on icy grains through ‘non-energetic’ processes. In this contribution, we show that propanal and 1-propanol can be formed in this way at the low temperature of 10 K. Propanal has already been detected in space. 1-propanol is an astrobiologically relevant molecule, as it is a primary alcohol, and has not been astronomically detected. Propanal is the major product formed in the C2H2 + CO + H experiment, and 1-propanol is detected in the subsequent propanal + H experiment. The results are published in Qasim et al. (2019c). ALMA observations towards IRAS 16293-2422B are discussed and provide a 1-propanol:propanal upper limit of < 0.35 – 0.55, which are complemented by computationally-derived activation barriers in addition to the performed laboratory experiments.
D. Qasim, G. Fedoseev, K. Chuang, et. al.
Tue, 18 Jun 19
58/73
Comments: Proceedings IAU Symposium No. 350, 2019, Laboratory Astrophysics: from Observations to Interpretation