HCNH(+) - A new interstellar molecular ion

Abstract

The first interstellar detection of HCNH(+) is reported. The J = 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2 rotational transitions of this molecule at 74, 148, and 222 GHz have been observed toward Sgr B2. Using a large velocity gradient model calculation, the column density of HCNH(+) is found to be about 4 x 10 to the 14th/sq cm, about one order of magnitude less than that estimated for HCO(+) and HCN in this source. Such a column density implies a fractional abundance of at least one to several orders of magnitude larger than predicted by numerous ion-molecule models. Coupled with a relatively low abundance of HCN and a small HNC/HCN ratio, this suggests that HCNH(+) is not channeled into HCN or HNC as rapidly as thought.