Search

We present the detection of the three 13C isotopologs of HCCNC and HNCCC toward TMC-1 using the QUIJOTE line survey. In addition, the D species has also been detected for these two isomers of HCCCN, whereas the 15N isotopolog was only detected for HCCNC. Using high-J lines of HCCNC and HNCCC, we were able to derive very precise rotational temperatures, column densities, and subsequently the isotopic abundance ratios. We found that 12C/13C is ∼90 for the three possible substitutions in both isomers. These results are slightly different from what has been found for the most abundant isomer HCCCN, for which abundances of 105, 95, and 66 were found for each one of the three possible positions of 13C. The H/D abundance ratio was found to be 31 ± 4 for HCCNC and of 53 ± 6 for HNCCC. The latter is similar to the H/D abundance ratio derived for HCCCN (∼59). The 14N/15N isotopic abundance ratio in HCCNC is 243 ± 24. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first detection of HCNS (thiofulminic acid) in space with the QUIJOTE line survey in the direction of TMC-1. We performed a complete study of the isomers of CHNS and CHNO, including NCO and NCS. The derived column densities for HCNS, HNCS, and HSCN are (9.0 ± 0.5) × 109, (3.2 ± 0.1) × 1011, and (8.3 ± 0.4) × 1011 cm−2, respectively. The HNCS/HSCN abundance ratio is 0.38. The abundance ratios HNCO/HNCS, HCNO/HCNS, HOCN/HSCN, and NCO/NCS are 34 ± 4, 8.3 ± 0.7, 0.18 ± 0.03, and 0.78 ± 0.07, respectively. These ratios cannot be correctly reproduced by our gas-phase chemical models, which suggests that formation paths for these species are missing, and/or that the adopted dissociative recombination rates for their protonated precursors have to be revised. The isotopologues H15NCO, DNCO, HN13CO, DCNO, H34SCN, and DSCN have also been detected with the ultrasensitive QUIJOTE line survey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the detection of large hydrocarbon cycles toward several cold dense clouds. We observed four sources (L1495B, Lupus-1A, L483, and L1527) in the Q band (31−50 GHz) using the Yebes 40 m radiotelescope. Using the line stack technique, we find statistically significant evidence of benzonitrile (C6H5CN) in L1495B, Lupus-1A, and L483 at levels of 31.8σ, 15.0σ, and 17.2σ, respectively, while there is no hint of C6H5CN in the fourth source, L1527. The column densities derived are in the range (1.7−3.8) × 1011 cm−2, which is somewhat below the value derived toward the cold dense cloud TMC-1. When we simultaneously analyze all the benzonitrile abundances derived toward cold clouds in this study and in the literature, a clear trend emerges in that the higher the abundance of HC7N, the more abundant C6H5CN is. This indicates that aromatic cycles are especially favored in those interstellar clouds where long carbon chains are abundant, which suggests that the chemical processes that are responsible for the formation of linear carbon chains are also behind the synthesis of aromatic rings. We also searched for cycles other than benzonitrile, and found evidence of indene (C9H8), cyclopentadiene (C5H6), and 1-cyano cyclopentadiene (1-C5H5CN) at levels of 9.3σ, 7.5σ, and 8.4σ, respectively, toward L1495B, which shows the strongest signal from C6H5CN. The relative abundances between the various cycles detected in L1495B are consistent – within a factor of three – with those previously found in TMC-1. It is therefore likely that not only C6H5CN but also other large aromatic cycles are abundant in clouds rich in carbon chains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present new observations of molecular anions with the Yebes 40 m and IRAM 30 m telescopes toward the cold, dense clouds TMC-1 CP, Lupus-1A, L1527, L483, L1495B, and L1544. We report the first detections of C3N− and C5N− in Lupus-1A as well as C4H− and C6H− in L483. In addition, we detected new lines of C6H− toward the six targeted sources, of C4H− toward TMC-1 CP, Lupus-1A, and L1527, and of C8H− and C3N− in TMC-1 CP. Excitation calculations using recently computed collision rate coefficients indicate that the lines of anions accessible to radiotelescopes run from subthermally excited to thermalized as the size of the anion increases, with the degree of departure from thermalization depending on the H2 volume density and the line frequency. We noticed that the collision rate coefficients available for the radical C6H are not sufficient to explain various observational facts, thereby calling for the collision data for this species to be revisited. The observations presented here, together with observational data from the literature, have been used to model the excitation of interstellar anions and to constrain their abundances. In general, the anion-to-neutral ratios derived here agree with the literature values, when available, within 50% (by a factor of two at most), except for the C4H−/C4H ratio, which shows higher differences due to a revision of the dipole moment of C4H. From the set of anion-to-neutral abundance ratios derived two conclusions can be drawn. First, the C6H−/C6H ratio shows a tentative trend whereby it increases with increasing H2 density, as we would expect on the basis of theoretical grounds. Second, the assertion that the higher the molecular size, the higher the anion-to-neutral ratio is incontestable; furthermore, this supports a formation mechanism based on radiative electron attachment. Nonetheless, the calculated rate coefficients for electron attachment to the medium size species C4H and C3N are probably too high and too low, respectively, by more than one order of magnitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuing Q-band (31–50 GHz) integrations on IRC +10216 with the Yebes 40 m telescope have now reached sub-millikelvin noise with hundreds of new lines arising above an average 3σ detection limit of 0.71 mK (as low as 0.45 mK in the lower frequency end). The recent discovery of the C7N− anion and the relatively large abundance of the HC9N member of the cyanopolyyne family opens the door for searching in the data for harmonically related series of lines belonging to singlet species, with intensities close to the detection limit, that could belong to heavier anions. One such series has been found with rotational quantum numbers from J = 52 − 51 up to J = 74 − 73, with at least 15 distinguishable features clearly detected as isolated or partly blended. There are two main candidates for the carriers of the series: C9N− and/or C10H−, for which our high-level-of-theory ab initio calculations predict a quite compatible rotational constant of ~300 MHz. In this paper we discuss, based on our ab initio calculations and also on chemical models, which of these two candidates is the most likely carrier. There is more evidence for the C10H− candidate. It would be, to date, the heaviest anion discovered in space through a series of detected individual lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We found four series of harmonically related lines in IRC +10216 with the Yebes 40m and IRAM 30m telescopes. The first series corresponds to a molecule with a rotational constant, B, of 1448.5994±0.0013MHz and a distortion constant, D, of 63.45±1.15 Hz and covers upper quantum numbers from Ju = 11 up to 33 (B1449). The second series is fitted with B= 1446.9380±0.0098MHz and D= 91±23 Hz and covers upper quantum numbers from Ju = 11 up to 17 (B1447). The third series is fitted with B= 598.7495±0.0011MHz and D= 6.13±0.43 Hz and covers quantum numbers from Ju = 26 up to 41 (B599). Finally, the frequencies of the last series of lines can be reproduced with B= 594.3176±0.0026MHz and D= 4.92±1.16 Hz (B594). The large values of D point toward four metal-bearing carriers. After exploring all plausible candidates containing Na, Al, Mg, and other metals, our ab initio calculations indicate that the cations MgC4H+, MgC3N+, MgC6H+, and MgC5N+ must be the carriers of B1449, B1447, B599, and B594, respectively. These cations could be formed by the radiative association of Mg+ with C4H, C3N, C6H, and C5N, respectively. We calculated the radiative association rate coeffcient of Mg+ with C4H, C3N, C6H, and C5N and incorporated them in our chemical model. The results confirm that the Mg-bearing cations can be formed through these radiative association reactions in the outer layers of IRC +10216. This is the first time that cationic metal-bearing species have been found in space. These results provide a new paradigm on the reactivity of ionized metals with abundant radicals and open the door for further characterization of similar species in metal-rich astrophysical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the detection of methyl ketene towards TMC-1 with the QUIJOTE line survey. Nineteen rotational transitions with rotational quantum numbers ranging from J = 3 up to J = 5 and Ka ≤ 2 were identified in the frequency range 32.0–50.4 GHz, 11 of which arise above the 3σ level. We derived a column density for CH3CHCO of N = 1.5 × 1011 cm−2 and a rotational temperature of 9 K. Hence, the abundance ratio between ketene and methyl ketene, CH2CO/CH3CHCO, is 93. This species is the second C3H4O isomer detected. The other, trans-propenal (CH2CHCHO), corresponds to the most stable isomer and has a column density of N = (2.2 ± 0.3)×1011 cm−2, which results in an abundance ratio CH2CHCHO/CH3CHCO of 1.5. The next non-detected isomer with the lowest energy is cis-propenal, which is therefore a good candidate for future discovery. We have carried out an in-depth study of the possible gas-phase chemical reactions involving methyl ketene to explain the abundance detected, achieving good agreement between chemical models and observations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the discovery of the C5H+ cation toward TMC-1 with the QUIJOTE line survey. Four lines from J = 7 − 6 up to J = 10 − 9 have been identified in perfect harmonic frequency relation that can be fit with B = 2411.94397 ± 0.00055 MHz and D = 138 ± 3 Hz. The standard deviation of the fit is 4.4 kHz. After discarding potential candidates, C5H− among them, we conclude that the carrier is C5H+, for which accurate ab initio calculations provide B = 2410.3 MHz. We also report for the first time in a cold starless core the detection of the C3H+ cation. The column densities we derive for C5H+ and C3H+ are (8.8 ± 0.5)×1010 cm−2 and (2.4 ± 0.2)×1010 cm−2, respectively. Hence, the C5H+/C3H+ abundance ratio is 3.7 ± 0.5. The fact that C5H+ is more abundant than C3H+ is well explained by dedicated chemical models and is due to the slow reactivity of C5H+ with H2, while C3H+ reacts with H2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the detection, for the first time in space, of the radical HCCCO and of pentacarbon monoxide, C5O. The derived column densities are (1.6 ± 0.2) × 1011 cm−2 and (1.5 ± 0.2) × 1010 cm−2, respectively. We have also analysed the data for all the molecular species of the families HCnO and CnO within our QUIJOTE's line survey. Upper limits are obtained for HC4O, HC6O, C4O, and C6O. We report a robust detection of HC5O and HC7O based on 14 and 12 rotational lines detected with a signal-to-noise ratio ≥30 and ≥5, respectively. The derived N(HC3O)/N(HC5O) abundance ratio is 0.09 ± 0.03, while N(C3O)/N(C5O) is 80 ± 2, and N(HC5O)/N(HC7O) is 2.2 ± 0.3. As opposed to the cyanopolyyne family, HC2n + 1N, which shows a continuous decrease in the abundances with increasing n, the CnO and HCnO species show a clear abundance maximum for n = 3 and 5, respectively. They also show an odd and even abundance alternation, with odd values of n being the most abundant, which is reminiscent of the behaviour of CnH radicals, where in that case species with even values of n are more abundant. We explored the formation of these species through two mechanisms previously proposed, which are based on radiative associations between CnH m+ m + $ _m^+ $ ions with CO and reactions of C n̄ n − $ _n^- $ and CnH− anions with O atoms, and we found that several species, such as C5O, HC4O, and HC6O, are significantly overestimated. Our understanding of how these species are formed is incomplete as of yet. Other routes based on neutral-neutral reactions such as those of Cn and CnH carbon chains with O, OH, or HCO, could be behind the formation of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here the first detection in the interstellar medium of the cyanomidyl radical (HNCN). Using the Yebes 40m and the IRAM 30m telescopes, we have targeted the doublets of the N  = 2–1, 4–3, 5–4, 6–5, and 7–6 transitions of HNCN towards the molecular cloud G+0.693-0.027. We have detected three unblended lines of HNCN, these are the N  = 6–5 doublet and one line of the N  = 4–3 transition. Additionally, we present one line of the N  = 5–4 transition partially blended with emission from other species. The local thermodynamic equilibrium best fit to the data gives a molecular abundance of (0.91 ± 0.05) × 10−10 with respect to H2. The relatively low abundance of this species in G+0.693-0.027 and its high reactivity suggest that HNCN is possibly produced by gas-phase chemistry. Our work shows that this highly reactive molecule is present in interstellar space, and thus it represents a plausible precursor of larger prebiotic molecules with the nitrogen–carbon–nitrogen backbone such as cyanamide (NH2CN), carbodiimide (HNCNH), and formamidine (NH2CHNH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Yebes 40m radio telescope, we report the detection of a series of seven lines harmonically related with a rotational constant B0 = 1295.81581 ± 0.00026MHz and a distortion constant D0 = 27.3 ± 0.5Hz towards the cold dense cloud TMC-1. Ab initio calculations indicate that the best possible candidates are the cations HC5NH+ and NC4NH+. From a comparison between calculated and observed rotational constants and other arguments based on proton affinities and dipole moments, we conclude that the best candidate for a carrier of the observed lines is the protonated cyanodiacetylene cation, HC5NH+. The HC5N/HC5NH+ ratio derived in TMC-1 is 240, which is very similar to the HC3N/HC3NH+ ratio. Results are discussed in the framework of a chemical model for protonated molecules in cold dense clouds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the Yebes 40m and IRAM 30m radio telescopes, we detected a series of harmonically related lines with a rotational constant B0 = 4460.590 ± 0.001 MHz and a distortion constant D0 = 0.511 ± 0.005 kHz towards the cold dense core TMC-1. High-level-of-theory ab initio calculations indicate that the best possible candidate is protonated tricarbon monoxide, HC3O+. We have succeeded in producing this species in the laboratory and observed its Ju − Jl = 2–1 and 3–2 rotational transitions. Hence, we report the discovery of HC3O+ in space based on our observations, theoretical calculations, and laboratory experiments. We derive an abundance ratio N(C3O)/N(HC3O+) ∼ 7. The high abundance of the protonated form of C3O is due to the high proton affinity of the neutral species. The chemistry of O-bearing species is modelled, and predictions are compared to the derived abundances from our data for the most prominent O-bearing species in TMC-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a study of the isocyano isomers of the cyanopolyynes HC3N, HC5N, and HC7N in TMC-1 and IRC+10216 carried out with the Yebes 40m radio telescope. This study has enabled us to report the detection, for the first time in space, of HCCCCNC in TMC-1 and to give upper limits for HC6NC in the same source. In addition, the deuterated isotopologues of HCCNC and HNCCC were detected, along with all 13C substitutions of HCCNC, also for the first time in space. The abundance ratios of HC3N and HC5N, with their isomers, are very different in TMC-1 and IRC+10216, namely, N(HC5N)/N(HC4NC) is ∼300 and ≥2100, respectively. We discuss the chemistry of the metastable isomers of cyanopolyynes in terms of the most likely formation pathways and by comparing observational abundance ratios between different sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of IRC +10216 with the Yebes 40 m telescope between 31 and 50 GHz have revealed more than 150 unidentified lines. Some of them can be grouped into a new series of 26 doublets, harmonically related with integer quantum numbers ranging from Jup = 54 to 80. The separation of the doublets increases systematically with J, that is to say, as expected for a linear species in one of its bending modes. The rotational parameters resulting from the fit to these data are B = 290.8844 ± 0.0004 MHz, D = 0.88 ± 0.04 Hz, and q = 0.1463 ± 0.0001 MHz. The rotational constant is very close to that of the ground state of HC9N. Our ab initio calculations show an excellent agreement between these parameters and those predicted for the lowest energy vibrationally excited state, ν19 = 1, of HC9N. This is the first detection, and complete characterization in space, of vibrationally excited HC9N. An energy of 41.5 cm−1 is estimated for the ν19 state. In addition, 17 doublets of HC7N in the ν15 = 1 state, for which laboratory spectroscopy is available, were detected for the first time in IRC +10216. Several doublets of HC5N in its ν11 = 1 state were also observed. The column density ratio between the ground and the lowest excited vibrational states are ≈127, 9.5, and 1.5 for HC5N, HC7N, and HC9N, respectively. We find that these lowest-lying vibrational states are most probably populated via infrared pumping to vibrationally excited states lying at ≈600 cm−1. The lowest vibrationally excited states thus need to be taken into account to precisely determine absolute abundances and abundance ratios for long carbon chains. The abundance ratios N(HC5N)/N(HC7N) and N(HC7N)/N(HC9N) are 2.4 and 7.7, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Dinitriles with a saturated hydrocarbon skeleton and a −C≡N group at each end can have large electric dipole moments. Their formation can be related to highly reactive radicals such as CH2CN, C2N, or CN. Thus, these saturated dinitriles are potential candidates to be observed in the interstellar medium (ISM). Aims. Our goal is the investigation of the rotational spectrum of one of the simplest dinitriles N≡C−CH2−CH2−C≡N, succinonitrile, whose actual rotational parameters are not precise enough to allow its detection in the ISM. In addition, the rotational spectra for its vibrational excited states will be analysed. Methods. The rotational spectra of succinonitrile was measured in the frequency range 72−116.5 GHz using a new broadband millimeter-wave spectrometer based on radio astronomy receivers with Fast Fourier Transform backends. The identification of the vibrational excited states of succinonitrile was supported by high-level ab initio calculations on the harmonic and anharmonic force fields. Results. A total of 459 rotational transitions with maximum values of J and Ka quantum numbers 70 and 14, respectively, were measured for the ground vibrational state of succinonitrile. The analysis allowed us to accurately determine the rotational, quartic, and sextic centrifugal distortion constants. Up to eleven vibrational excited states, resulting from the four lowest frequency vibrational modes ν13, ν12, ν24, and ν23 were identified. In addition to the four fundamental modes, we observed overtones together with some combination states. The rotational parameters for the ground state were employed to unsuccessfully search for succinonitrile in the cold and warm molecular clouds Orion KL, Sgr B2(N), B1-b, and TMC-1, using the spectral surveys captured by IRAM 30 m at 3 mm and the Yebes 40 m at 1.3 cm and 7 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Methoxyacetaldehyde belongs to a group of structural isomers with the general formula C3H6O2, of which methyl acetate and ethyl formate are known interstellar molecules. Rotational data available for methoxyacetaldehyde are limited to 40 GHz, which makes predictions at higher frequencies rather uncertain. Aims. The aim of this work is to provide accurate experimental frequencies of methoxyacetaldehyde in the millimeter-wave region to support its detection in the interstellar medium. Methods. The rotational spectrum of methoxyacetaldehyde was recorded at room-temperature from 75 to 120 GHz and from 170 to 310 GHz using the millimeter-wave spectrometer in Valladolid. Additional measurements were also performed at conditions of supersonic expansion from 6 to 18 GHz. The assigned rotational transitions were analyzed using the S -reduced semirigid-rotor Hamiltonian. Results. We newly assigned over 1000 lines for the most stable conformer of methoxyacetaldehyde in its ground state and five lowest excited vibrational states, and precise sets of spectroscopic constants were obtained. We searched for spectral features of methoxyacetaldehyde in the high-mass star-forming regions Orion KL and Sagittarius B2, as well as in the cold dark cloud Barnard 1 (B1-b). No lines belonging to methoxyacetaldehyde were detected above the detection limit of our data. We provide upper limits to the methoxyacetaldehyde colum density in these sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. Methoxyamine is a potential interstellar amine that has been predicted by gas-grain chemical models for the formation of complex molecules. The aim of this work is to provide direct experimental frequencies of its ground-vibrational state in the millimeter- and submillimeter-wave regions to achieve its detection in the interstellar medium. Methods. Methoxyamine was chemically liberated from its hydrochloride salt, and its rotational spectrum was recorded at room temperature from 75 to 480 GHz using the millimeter-wave spectrometer in Valladolid. Many observed transitions revealed A-E splitting caused by the internal rotation of the methyl group, which had to be treated with specific internal rotation codes. Results. Over 400 lines were newly assigned for the most stable conformer of methoxyamine, and a precise set of spectroscopic constants was obtained. Spectral features of methoxyamine were then searched for in the Orion KL, Sgr B2, B1-b, and TMC-1 molecular clouds. Upper limits to the column density of methoxyamine were derived. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The recent discovery of methyl acetate in Orion KL makes vinyl acetate, CH3C=OOCH=CH2, a potential molecule in the interstellar medium. We obtained very accurate spectroscopic constants in a comprehensive laboratory analysis of its rotational spectra which can be used to predict those transition frequencies towards interstellar sources. Aims. We present the experimental study and theoretical analysis of the ground torsional state of vinyl acetate in a large spectral range for astrophysical use. Methods. The room-temperature rotational spectrum of vinyl acetate has been measured from 125 to 305 GHz to provide direct frequencies to the astronomical community. Additional measurements have also been made using a broadband CP-FTMWspectrometer in the region of 6-18 GHz. Transition lines, corresponding to the most stable conformer, have been observed and assigned. All the rotational transitions revealed the A-E splitting due to the methyl internal rotation and had to be treated with a specific internal rotation code (BELGI-Cs). Results. We analyzed 2508 transitions up to J'' = 75 for vt = 0 for the most stable conformer of vinyl acetate. The new lines were globally fitted with previously published data and 24 parameters of the Hamiltonian were accurately determined. The spectral features of vinyl acetate were then searched for in Orion KL. Using the whole line survey of Orion KL (80-280 GHz) obtained with the IRAM 30 m radio telescope we can provide only an upper limit to the column density of vinyl acetate. However, using the ALMA science verification data we obtain a tentative detection of this species that will require further search at other frequencies to confirm its presence in this high mass star forming region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethyl cyanide, CH3CH2CN, is an important interstellar molecule with a very dense rotational-vibrational spectrum. On the basis of new laboratory data in the range of 17-605 GHz and ab initio calculations, two new vibrational states, v12 and v20, have been detected in molecular clouds of Orion. Laboratory data consist of Stark spectroscopy (17-110 GHz) and frequency-modulated spectrometers (GEM laboratory in Valladolid: 17-170, 270-360 GHz; Toyama: 26-200 GHz; Emory: 200-240 GHz; Ohio State: 258-368 GHz; and JPL: 270-318, 395-605 GHz). More than 700 distinct lines of each species were measured in J up to 71 and in Ka up to 25. The states were fitted with Watson's S-reduction Hamiltonian. The two new states have been identified in the interstellar medium toward the Orion Nebula (Orion KL). The ground state, the isotopologues of CH3CH2CN, and the vibrationally excited states have been fitted to obtain column densities and to derive vibrational temperatures. All together, ethyl cyanide is responsible for more than 2000 lines in the observed frequency range of 80-280 GHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Formamide is the simplest bearer of peptide bond detected in the interstellar medium (ISM). Aims. There is still a lack of laboratory data on its rotational spectrum in the THz domain. Methods. We measured the rotational spectrum of formamide in the frequency range 400-950 GHz. The ground and first excited vibrational state of the normal species as well as the ground state of 13C isotopic species were analysed. Results. The results obtained represent an extension by a factor of two in frequency range compared to previous studies. Of all transition frequencies in the dataset about 45% are new measurements. A reliable set of rotational constants allows accurate predictions of transition frequencies in the THz domain. Based on the spectroscopic results, the v12 = 1 excited vibrational state of formamide was detected in the IRAM 30 m line survey of Orion KL for the first time in the ISM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Astronomical survey of interstellar molecular clouds needs a previous analysis of the spectra in the microwave and sub-mm energy range to be able to identify them. We obtained very accurate spectroscopic constants in a comprehensive laboratory analysis of rotational spectra. These constants can be used to predict transition frequencies that were not measured in the laboratory very precisely. Aims. We present an experimental study and a theoretical analysis of two 18O-methyl formate isotopologues, which were subsequently detected for the first time in Orion KL. Methods. The experimental spectra of both methyl formate isotopologues recorded in the microwave and sub-mm range from 1 to 660 GHz. Both spectra were analysed by using the rho-axis method (RAM) which takes into account the CH3 internal rotation. Results. We obtained spectroscopic constants of both 18O- methyl formate with high accuracy. Thousands of transitions were assigned and others predicted, which allowed us to detect both species in the IRAM 30 m line survey of Orion KL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuing Q-band (31–50 GHz) integrations on IRC +10216 with the Yebes 40 m telescope have now reached sub-millikelvin noise with hundreds of new lines arising above an average 3σ detection limit of 0.71 mK (as low as 0.45 mK in the lower frequency end). The recent discovery of the C7N− anion and the relatively large abundance of the HC9N member of the cyanopolyyne family opens the door for searching in the data for harmonically related series of lines belonging to singlet species, with intensities close to the detection limit, that could belong to heavier anions. One such series has been found with rotational quantum numbers from J = 52 − 51 up to J = 74 − 73, with at least 15 distinguishable features clearly detected as isolated or partly blended. There are two main candidates for the carriers of the series: C9N− and/or C10H−, for which our high-level-of-theory ab initio calculations predict a quite compatible rotational constant of ~300 MHz. In this paper we discuss, based on our ab initio calculations and also on chemical models, which of these two candidates is the most likely carrier. There is more evidence for the C10H− candidate. It would be, to date, the heaviest anion discovered in space through a series of detected individual lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We found four series of harmonically related lines in IRC +10216 with the Yebes 40m and IRAM 30m telescopes. The first series corresponds to a molecule with a rotational constant, B, of 1448.5994±0.0013MHz and a distortion constant, D, of 63.45±1.15 Hz and covers upper quantum numbers from Ju = 11 up to 33 (B1449). The second series is fitted with B= 1446.9380±0.0098MHz and D= 91±23 Hz and covers upper quantum numbers from Ju = 11 up to 17 (B1447). The third series is fitted with B= 598.7495±0.0011MHz and D= 6.13±0.43 Hz and covers quantum numbers from Ju = 26 up to 41 (B599). Finally, the frequencies of the last series of lines can be reproduced with B= 594.3176±0.0026MHz and D= 4.92±1.16 Hz (B594). The large values of D point toward four metal-bearing carriers. After exploring all plausible candidates containing Na, Al, Mg, and other metals, our ab initio calculations indicate that the cations MgC4H+, MgC3N+, MgC6H+, and MgC5N+ must be the carriers of B1449, B1447, B599, and B594, respectively. These cations could be formed by the radiative association of Mg+ with C4H, C3N, C6H, and C5N, respectively. We calculated the radiative association rate coeffcient of Mg+ with C4H, C3N, C6H, and C5N and incorporated them in our chemical model. The results confirm that the Mg-bearing cations can be formed through these radiative association reactions in the outer layers of IRC +10216. This is the first time that cationic metal-bearing species have been found in space. These results provide a new paradigm on the reactivity of ionized metals with abundant radicals and open the door for further characterization of similar species in metal-rich astrophysical environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The higher thermodynamic stability of C 3 H 6 O 2 isomer, propionic-acid, suggests that this molecule should be considered as a possible candi- date for ISM detection. • Report a non-detection of propanoic acid in these clouds and derive upper limits to the column density. • Study of the rotational spectrum of propanoic acid CH 3 CH 2 COOH was carried out in the frequency range of 150–545 GHz. • Frequency predictions for astronomical use were produced up to 550 GHz. Three compounds with a C 3 H 6 O 2 formula have been detected in the Interstellar Medium (ISM): ethyl formate (CH 3 CH 2 OC(O)H), methyl acetate (CH 3 OC(O)CH 3) and very recently hydroxyacetone (CH 3 C(O)CH 2 OH). The higher thermodynamic stability of another isomer, the propanoic acid (CH 3 CH 2 C(O)OH), clearly suggests that this molecule should be considered as a possible candidate for ISM detection. To provide reliable predictions for astronomical use in the millimeter and submillimeter wave ranges we performed a new study of propanoic acid rotational spectrum up to 545 GHz. The analysis of large amplitude methyl top torsional motion in this molecule was carried out using the rho axis method and the RAM36 program code. More than 3200 lines corresponding to the rotational transitions in the ground and first excited methyl top torsional states were newly assigned and fit within experimental error. This enabled us to produce new predictions which were used to search for propanoic acid in two high-mass star-forming regions: SgrB2 (public IRAM 30 m) and Orion KL (ALMA Science Verification). We report a non-detection of propanoic acid in these clouds and derive upper limits to the column density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]