While millimeter-wave rotational spectroscopy plays a key role in identifying polar species in the interstellar medium (ISM), its very nature precludes the study and identification of non-polar molecules like benzene and similar aromatic molecules. Such species are potential precursors to larger species, and their inherent aromaticity would provide them stability in the ionizing environment of the ISM. As a way to circumvent this problem, polar aromatic species represent a significant target for astronomical detection since they are likely to provide insights into the chemistry of their non-polar counterparts and the ISM as a whole. Toward this purpose, we report the rotational constants of pyridazine in both the ground and first nine vibrationally-excited states. Rotational constants for three isotopomers are reported as well. Moreover, preliminary results from discharge experiments are presented to illuminate possible reaction pathways involving non-polar species like benzene and nitrogenous heterocycles like pyridazine under interstellar conditions.

Millimeter-wave rotational spectroscopy of pyridazine and its astrochemical implications

245th National Meeting (2013)

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