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NASA NTRS · 20140010162

Ketene Formation in Interstellar Ices: A Laboratory Study

Hudson, Reggie L.·Loeffler, Mark Josiah
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Abstract

The formation of ketene (H2CCO, ethenone) in polar and apolar ices was studied with in situ 0.8 MeV proton irradiation, far-UVphotolysis, and infrared spectroscopic analyses at 10-20 K. Using isotopically enriched reagents, unequivocal evidencewas obtained for ketene synthesis in H2O-rich and CO2-rich ices, and several reaction products were identified. Results from scavenging experiments suggested that ketene was formed by free-radical pathways, as opposed to acid-base processes or redox reactions. Finally, we use our results to draw conclusions about the formation and stability of ketene in the interstellar medium.

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Hudson, Reggie L., Loeffler, Mark Josiah. 2013-07-31. Ketene Formation in Interstellar Ices: A Laboratory Study. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20140010162

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