Formation of S-Bearing Complex Organic Molecules in Interstellar Clouds via Ice Reactions with C2H2, HS, and Atomic H

Abstract

The chemical network governing interstellar sulfur has been the topic of unrelenting discussion for the past few decades due to the conspicuous discrepancy between its expected and observed abundances in different interstellar environments. More recently, the astronomical detections of CH₃CH₂SH and CH₂CS highlighted the importance of interstellar formation routes for sulfur-bearing organic molecules with two carbon atoms. In this work, we perform a laboratory investigation of the solid-state chemistry resulting from the interaction between C₂H₂ molecules and SH radicals─both thought to be present in interstellar icy mantles─at 10 K. Reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy and quadrupole mass spectrometry combined with temperature-programmed desorption experiments are employed as analytical techniques. We confirm that SH radicals can kick-start a sulfur reaction network under interstellar cloud conditions and identify at least six sulfurated products: CH₃CH₂SH, CH₂CHSH, HSCH₂CH₂SH, H₂S₂, and tentatively CH₃CHS and CH₂CS. Complementarily, we utilize computational calculations to pinpoint the reaction routes that play a role in the chemical network behind our experimental results. The main sulfur-bearing organic molecule formed under our experimental conditions is CH₃CH₂SH, and its formation yield increases with the ratios of H to other reactants. It serves as a sink to the sulfur budget within the network, being formed at the expense of the other unsaturated products. The astrophysical implications of the chemical network proposed here are discussed.