Molecular Precursors of the RNA-World in Space: New Nitriles in the G+0.693?0.027 Molecular Cloud

Nitriles play a key role as molecular precursors in prebiotic experiments based on the RNA-world scenario for origin of life. These chemical compounds could have been partially delivered to young Earth from extraterrestrial objects, stressing importance establishing reservoir nitriles interstellar medium. We report here detection towards cloud G+0.693?0.027 several nitriles, including cyanic acid (HOCN), and three C 4 H 3 N isomers (cyanoallene, CH 2 CCHCN; propargyl cyanide, HCCCH CN; cyanopropyne (CH CCCN), tentative detections cyanoformaldehyde (HCOCN), glycolonitrile (HOCH CN). also performed first search cyanoacetaldehyde (HCOCH CN), which was not detected. Based derived abundances different other sources, we discussed their formation mechanisms ISM. propose that observed HOCN abundance is mainly due surface chemistry subsequent shock-induced desorption, while HCOCN might be formed through gas-phase chemistry. In case HOCH CN, grain-surface routes abundant produce it. The are very similar, similar those previously reported dark cold TMC-1. This suggests likely common precursors, possibly unsaturated hydrocarbons CCH ) react with cyanide radical (CN). rich nitrile feedstock found confirms able synthesize space species drive RNA-world.