Abstract
ABSTRACT Glycolaldehyde, the simplest sugar, is a complex organic molecule detected in many regions of the interstellar medium (ISM). Although its synthetic routes are fairly well known and consistent with many laboratory studies, queries still arise about its reactivity and its role in the complex chemistry of the ISM. This study shows the surface and bulk hydrogenation of glycolaldehyde at 10 K in order to confirm or invalidate the astrophysical models which suggest that CHOCH2OH would be a precursor of ethylene glycol through hydrogenation processes occurring on the surface of interstellar dust grains. By coupling IR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, we show that the formation of HOCH2CH2OH from CHOCH2OH + H solid state reaction occurs, supporting the existence of a chemical link between these two organics in the ISM. This work suggests that while CHO + CH2OH and CH2OH + CH2OH radical recombination would lead to CHOCH2OH and HOCH2CH2OH, respectively, the presence of H-atoms in the ISM would be a secondary source to favour ethylene glycol over glycolaldehyde. These results are in good agreement with different astronomical observations which show simultaneous detections of glycolaldehyde and ethylene glycol with an abundance ratio HOCH2CH2OH/CHOCH2OH ranged between 1 and 15.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
