Molecular Parameters for CH3CH2CHO (Propanal)
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Three aldehyde molecules were
observed and appear to be related by simple hydrogen
addition reactions, which probably occur on the surface of
interstellar grains. An aldehyde is a molecule that contains
the aldehyde group (CHO): a carbon atom singly bonded to a
hydrogen atom and double-bonded to an oxygen atom; the
remaining bond on that same carbon atom bonds to the
rest of the molecule.
Starting with previously reported propynal (HC2CHO),
propenal (CH2CHCHO) is formed by adding two hydrogen atoms.
By the same process propanal (CH3CH2CHO) is formed from propenal.
Interstellar detection by Hollis, J. M., Jewell, P. R.,
Lovas,
F. J., Remjian, A. & Møllendal, H. 2004,
Ap. J.
Letters, 610, L21
Interstellar propenal and propanal were detected in emission
toward the Galactic center source Sagittarius B2(N) with the 100 m
Green Bank Telescope
(GBT) by
means of centimeter-wave rotational transitions.
Propanal: 
a = 1.71(4) D,
and b = 1.85(4) D (Butcher
& Wilson 1964).
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Interstellar Molecules Page