Abstract
We have investigated the stability of gas-phase formaldehyde oligomers and its implications for cometary science. Our experiments indicate that when a formaldehyde-methanol solution is vaporized in the mass spectrometer, high molecular mass POM species (45, 61, 75, 91, 105, 121, 135, 151, 165 amu) exist in the gas phase in the temperature range 473 K to 773 K. These laboratory results complement our previous experiments using a formaldehyde-water solution and indicate that formaldehyde oligomers are stable in the gas phase up to at least 6 monomeric units in length. Methanol is important in the end-capping process of the oligomers, leading to increased stability and a richer mass spectrum when compared to the formaldehyde-water solution. The results are consistent with mass spectra obtained by the Giotto PICCA instrument exhibiting alternating 14–16 amu mass peaks.
Published Version
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