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arXiv · 1906.06508

Synthesis of solid-state Complex Organic Molecules through accretion of simple species at low temperatures

D. Qasim·G. Fedoseev·K. -J. Chuang·V. Taquet·T. Lamberts·J. He·S. Ioppolo·E. F. van Dishoeck·H. Linnartz
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Abstract

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.

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D. Qasim, G. Fedoseev, K. -J. Chuang, V. Taquet, T. Lamberts, J. He, S. Ioppolo, E. F. van Dishoeck, H. Linnartz. 2019-06-15. Synthesis of solid-state Complex Organic Molecules through accretion of simple species at low temperatures. https://doi.org/10.1017/s174392131900975x

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