Precursors of the RNA World in Space: Detection of (Z)-1,2-ethenediol in the Interstellar Medium, a Key Intermediate in Sugar Formation
V. M. Rivilla, Laura Colzi, Izaskun Jiménez-Serra, J. Martín‐Pintado, Andrés Megías, Mattia Melosso, L. Bizzocchi, Álvaro López-Gallifa, Antonio Martínez-Henares, S. Massalkhi, B. Tercero, P. de Vicente, Jean‐Claude Guillemin, Juan García de la Concepción, Fernando Rico-Villas, Shaoshan Zeng, S. Martín, Miguel A. Requena-Torres, Francesca Tonolo, Silvia Alessandrini, Luca Dore, Vincenzo Barone, Cristina Puzzarini
Abstract
We present the first detection of (Z)-1,2-ethenediol, (CHOH)2, the enol form of glycolaldehyde, in the interstellar medium toward the G+0.693-0.027 molecular cloud located in the Galactic Center. We have derived a column density of (1.8 ± 0.1) × 1013 cm-2, which translates into a molecular abundance with respect to molecular hydrogen of 1.3 × 10-10. The abundance ratio between glycolaldehyde and (Z)-1,2-ethenediol is ∼5.2. We discuss several viable formation routes through chemical reactions from precursors such as HCO, H2CO, CHOH, or CH2CHOH. We also propose that this species might be an important precursor in the formation of glyceraldehyde (HOCH2CHOHCHO) in the interstellar medium through combination with the hydroxymethylene (CHOH) radical.