First detection of C${}_2$H${}_5$NCO in the ISM and search of other isocyanates towards the G+0.693-0.027 molecular cloud

Abstract

Little is known about the chemistry of isocyanates (compounds with the functional group R-N=C=O) in the interstellar medium, as only four of them have been detected so far: isocyanate radical (NCO), isocyanic acid (HNCO), N-protonated isocyanic acid (H${}_2$NCO${}^{+}$) and methyl isocyanate (CH${}_3$NCO). The molecular cloud G+0.693-0.027, located in the Galactic Centre, represents an excellent candidate to search for new isocyanates since it exhibits high abundances of the simplest ones, HNCO and CH${}_3$NCO. After CH${}_3$NCO, the next complex isocyanates are ethyl isocyanate (C${}_2$H${}_5$NCO) and vinyl isocyanate (C${}_2$H${}_3$NCO). Their detection in the ISM would enhance our understanding of the formation of these compounds in space. We have detected C${}_2$H${}_5$NCO and H${}_2$NCO${}^{+}$ towards G+0.693-0.027 (the former for the first time in the interstellar medium) with molecular abundances of (4.7$-$7.3)$\times$10${}^{-11}$ and (1.0$-$1.5)$\times$10${}^{-11}$, respectively. A ratio CH${}_3$NCO / C${}_2$H${}_5$NCO = 8$\pm$1 is obtained; therefore the relative abundance determined for HNCO:CH${}_3$NCO:C${}_2$H${}_5$NCO is 1:1/55:1/447, which implies a decrease by more than one order of magnitude going progressively from HNCO to CH${}_3$NCO and to C${}_2$H${}_5$NCO. This is similar to what has been found for e.g. alcohols and thiols and suggests that C${}_2$H${}_5$NCO is likely formed on the surface of dust grains. In addition, we have obtained column density ratios of HNCO / NCO > 269, HNCO / H${}_2$NCO${}^{+}$ $\sim$ 2100 and C${}_2$H${}_3$NCO / C${}_2$H${}_5$NCO~<~4. A comparison of the Methyl~/~Ethyl ratios for isocyanates (-NCO), alcohols (-OH), formiates (HCOO-), nitriles (-CN) and thiols (-SH) is performed and shows that ethyl-derivatives may be formed more efficiently for the N-bearing molecules than for the O- and S-bearing molecules.

5 pages, 5 figures; accepted in A&A