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Laboratory rotational spectrum and astronomical search for methoxyacetaldehyde
L Kolesniková1, I Peña1, E R Alonso1
1Grupo de Espectroscopia Molecular (GEM), Edificio Quifima, Área de Química-Física, Laboratorios de Espectroscopia y Bioespectroscopia, Parque Científico UVa, Unidad Asociada CSIC, Universidad de Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
|December 18, 2018
Summary
Methoxyacetaldehyde
Area of Science:
- Astrochemistry
- Molecular Spectroscopy
Background:
- Methoxyacetaldehyde is a structural isomer of known interstellar molecules.
- Limited existing rotational data hinders interstellar detection predictions.
Purpose of the Study:
- Provide accurate millimeter-wave frequencies for methoxyacetaldehyde.
- Facilitate its detection in the interstellar medium.
Main Methods:
- Recorded rotational spectrum from 75-120 GHz and 170-310 GHz.
- Performed supersonic expansion measurements from 6-18 GHz.
- Analyzed transitions using semirigid-rotor Hamiltonian.
Main Results:
- Assigned over 1000 spectral lines for multiple vibrational states.
- Obtained precise spectroscopic constants.
- Did not detect methoxyacetaldehyde in Orion KL, Sagittarius B2, or Barnard 1 (B1-b).
Conclusions:
- Established accurate spectroscopic data for methoxyacetaldehyde.
- Set upper limits for its column density in observed interstellar regions.
- Further observations may be needed for detection.
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