Journal Article

PUBDB-2021-05142

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png New potential candidates for astronomical searches discovered in the electrical discharge of the PAH naphthalene and acetonitrile

Loru, D.Extern*DESY* ; Steber, A.CFEL*MPG*DESY* ; Schnell, M. (Corresponding author)CFEL*DESY* ; Rijs, A. ; Rap, D. B. ; Lemmens, A.Extern* ; Thunnissen, J. M. M.

2022
Academic Press Orlando, Fla.

This record in other databases:    

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.jms.2022.111629  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2021-05142

Abstract: The formation and dissociation mechanisms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as well as their reactivity with other interstellar molecules are elusive. In this work, we have investigated the electrical discharge chemistry of the PAH naphthalene and acetonitrile, a molecule known to be present in interstellar environments, using a combination of mass-selective IR-UV ion dip spectroscopy with the free electron laser FELIX in the mid-IR frequency region (550 – 1800 cm$^{-1}$), and quantum chemical calculations. In addition to the species known to be produced in the electrical discharge of pure naphthalene, –CH$_3$ and –CN substituted unsaturated hydrocarbons have been identified. Most of them, in particular those containing a nitrogen atom in the molecular framework, such as benzo[7]annulene‐6‐carbonitrile, have a substantial dipole moment and, therefore, can be considered as potential candidates for astronomical searches. Among the species observed, the two isomers 1- and 2-cyanonaphthalene, which have been recently detected in the TMC-1, have been unambiguously identified in our experiment, thus highlighting the use of electrical discharge sources as a valuable tool to produce astronomically relevant species.

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. Spectroscopy of molecular processes (FS-SMP)

Research Program(s):

1. 631 - Matter – Dynamics, Mechanisms and Control (POF4-631) (POF4-631)
2. ASTROROT - Unraveling interstellar chemistry with broadband microwave spectroscopy and next-generation telescope arrays (638027) (638027)

Experiment(s):

1. No specific instrument

Appears in the scientific report 2022

---

Database coverage:
; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

---