GLYCOLALDEHYDE FORMATION VIA THE DIMERIZATION OF THE FORMYL RADICAL

Journal Article · Sun Nov 10 04:00:00 EST 2013 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/777/2/90· OSTI ID:22270657

Woods, Paul M.; Viti, Serena ^[1]; Slater, Ben; Raza, Zamaan; Brown, Wendy A.

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1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT (United Kingdom)

Glycolaldehyde, the simplest monosaccharide sugar, has recently been detected in low- and high-mass star-forming cores. Following our previous investigation into glycolaldehyde formation, we now consider a further mechanism for the formation of glycolaldehyde that involves the dimerization of the formyl radical, HCO. Quantum mechanical investigation of the HCO dimerization process upon an ice surface is predicted to be barrierless and therefore fast. In an astrophysical context, we show that this mechanism can be very efficient in star-forming cores. It is limited by the availability of the formyl radical, but models suggest that only very small amounts of CO are required to be converted to HCO to meet the observational constraints.

• OSTI ID: 22270657
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 777; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ASTRONOMY
ASTROPHYSICS
CARBON MONOXIDE
COSMOCHEMISTRY
DIMERIZATION
FORMYL RADICALS
LIMITING VALUES
MOLECULES
MONOSACCHARIDES
QUANTUM MECHANICS
SACCHAROSE
STARS