paper

ALMA Detection of Interstellar Methoxymethanol (CHOCHOH)

arXiv:1712.03256 · doi:10.3847/2041-8213/aaa0c3

Abstract

We report the detection of interstellar methoxymethanol (CHOCHOH) in ALMA Bands 6 and 7 toward the MM1 core in the high-mass star-forming region NGC 6334I at ~0.1" - 1" spatial resolution. A column density of 4(2) x cm at = 200 K is derived toward MM1, ~34 times less abundant than methanol (CHOH), and significantly higher than predicted by astrochemical models. Probable formation and destruction pathways are discussed, primarily through the reaction of the CHOH photodissociation products, the methoxy (CHO) and hydroxymethyl (CHOH) radicals. Finally, we comment on the implications of these mechanisms on gas-phase vs grain-surface routes operative in the region, and the possibility of electron-induced dissociation of CHOH rather than photodissociation.

Accepted in Astrophysical Journal Letters

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