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Interstellar AlcoholsWe have investigated the gas-phase chemistry in dense cores where ice mantles containing ethanol and other alcohols have been evaporated. Model calculations show that methanol, ethanol, propanol, and butanol drive a chemistry leading to the formation of several large ethers and esters. Of these molecules, methyl ethyl ether (CH3OC2H5) and diethyl ether (C2H5)2O attain the highest abundances and should be present in detectable quantities within cores rich in ethanol and methanol. Gas-phase reactions act to destroy evaporated ethanol and a low observed abundance of gas-phase C,H,OH does not rule out a high solid-phase abundance. Grain surface formation mechanisms and other possible gas-phase reactions driven by alcohols are discussed, as are observing strategies for the detection of these large interstellar molecules.
Document ID
19970007168
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Charnley, S. B.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Kress, M. E.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Tielens, A. G. G. M.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA United States)
Millar, T. J.
(Manchester Univ. United Kingdom)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
July 20, 1995
Publication Information
Publication: The Astrophysical Journal
Publisher: The American Astronomical Society
Volume: 448
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Report/Patent Number
NAS 1.26:203222
NASA-CR-203222
Accession Number
97N13964
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCA2-678
PROJECT: RTOP 399-20-01-30
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
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