Can gas phase reactions produce complex oxygen-containing molecules in dense interstellar clouds? - A revision of some important radiative association rate coefficients

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (55) References (34) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Can Gas Phase Reactions Produce Complex Oxygen-containing Molecules in Dense Interstellar Clouds? A Revision of Some Important Radiative Association Rate Coefficients Herbst, Eric Abstract In light of new laboratory measurements and theoretical techniques, previously suggested gas phase syntheses of dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3), ethyl alcohol (C2H5OH), and acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) in dense interstellar clouds have been reexamined. Several radiative association rate coefficients leading to the precursor ions to these species are now calculated to be significantly smaller than previous estimates. On the other hand, a new and rapid synthesis of the precursor ion to acetaldehyde appears to be viable. The diminution in the values of selected radiative association rate coefficients raises the possibility that normal gas phase syntheses under ambient dense cloud conditions may not account fully for the observed abundances of ethyl alcohol and, especially, dimethyl ether. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: February 1987 DOI: 10.1086/165026 Bibcode: 1987ApJ...313..867H Keywords: Association Reactions; Interstellar Chemistry; Molecular Clouds; Reaction Kinetics; Vapor Phases; Acetaldehyde; Ethers; Ethyl Alcohol; Methyl Compounds; Oxygen; Astrophysics; INTERSTELLAR: MOLECULES; MOLECULAR PROCESSES full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (2)