Complex organic molecules (COMs), containing six or more atoms, have been detected throughout different stages of star formation. Hot cores exhibit a rich variety of COMs, and comets display a high level of molecular complexity, including the amino acid glycine that has been detected by Rosetta on 67P. However, in protoplanetary disks, COMs are predominantly present as ices due to the low temperatures and therefore very difficult to observe. Indeed, so far, only methyl cyanide (CH3CN) and methanol (CH3OH) have been detected in protoplanetary disks. Whether complex and potentially prebiotic molecules are present at the time of planet and comet formation thus remains an open question.<br/><br/>We present the detection of methanol, and the tentative detections of acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) and methyl formate (CH3OCHO), with only one minute of ALMA time, in the young disk around V883 Ori. This star is currently undergoing an outburst which heats up the disk and releases the icy COMs into the gas phase where they can be readily observed. These results thus show that outbursting young stars are ideal sources to study the chemical complexity of planet-forming material through thermally desorbed complex molecules, which have proven to be hard to observe in protoplanetary disks.<br/><br/>We have an A-rated SMA proposal for a spectral survey of V883 Ori (covering 64 GHz of bandwidth) that should be observed this fall. These observations will allow us to make a full inventory of complex molecules present in planetary building blocks.

Unveiling the chemical complexity of planetary building blocks: Young disks around outbursting stars

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.