Abstract: The utility of complex organic molecules as probes of star formation and astrophysical environments depends on understanding of complex chemistry in protostellar environments. Existing protostellar models of hot core chemistry predict very low abundances of ethylene glycol, (CH2OH)2, a very large and hydrogen rich complex molecule, in star-forming regions. However, recent observations of Comet Hale-Bopp and Central Molecular Zone (CMZ) clouds have suggested that (CH2OH)2 can be produced in higher quantities than previously assumed. However, sin...
(read more)
Topics: 
Astrophysics
Astrobiology