CHEMOUT: CHEMical complexity in star-forming regions of the OUTer Galaxy. V. Chemical composition gradients as a function of the galactocentric radius

Abstract

The outer Galaxy is characterized by a lower metallicity than regions near the Sun, suggesting differences in the formation and survival of molecules in star-forming regions. To understand chemical evolution across the Milky Way, deriving molecular abundances in star-forming regions in the outer Galaxy is essential for refining models of sub-Solar metallicity environments. We analyzed IRAM 30 m observations at 3 and 2 mm toward 35 sources at Galactocentric distances of 9$-$24 kpc, within the "CHEMical complexity in star-forming regions of the outer Galaxy" (CHEMOUT) project. We focused on species with the highest detection rates (i.e., HCN, HCO${}^{+}$, c-C${}_3$H${}_2$, H${}^{13}$CO${}^{+}$, HCO, SO) and searched for trends in column densities, abundances, and line widths with Galactocentric distance. Abundances for H${}_2$CO and CH${}_3$OH were updated using H${}_2$ column densities from new NIKA2 dust maps. Fractional abundances relative to H${}_2$ of most species (HCN, HCO${}^{+}$, c-C${}_3$H${}_2$, HCO, H${}_2$CO, CH${}_3$OH) scale at most with the elemental carbon abundance ([C/H]) up to $\sim$24 kpc. SO shows a steeper gradient than sulfur abundance ([S/H]), while H${}^{13}$CO${}^{+}$ shows a shallower gradient than [${}^{13}$C/H]. Gas turbulence, inferred from line widths, decreases with Galactocentric distance, suggesting a more quiescent environment in the outer Galaxy with respect to the inner Galaxy. In the outer Galaxy, the formation efficiency of most molecules, following the parent element availability, is comparable or higher (e.g., for H${}^{13}$CO${}^{+}$) than in the local Galaxy, whereas SO forms less efficiently. These results have significant implications for chemical models of the outermost star-forming regions and for understanding molecule formation under lower metallicity conditions.

23 pages, 14 figures; accepted for publication in A&A

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