SH stretching vibration of propanethiol ice-a signature for its identification in the interstellar icy mantles

Abstract

Among the most commonly existing thiol molecules, methanethiol and ethanethiol were discovered in the interstellar medium and identification of the next larger thiol molecule, propanethiol, is long awaited. By simulating icy astrochemical conditions and probing propanethiol ices under infrared spectroscopy we propose the use of SH stretching vibrations observed in the propanethiol molecular ice as a probe towards its identification in the interstellar medium. Though there are conformational changes within the ice (as observed in both VUV and IR spectra), the SH stretching vibration of propanethiol is observed to be unique among the set of thiol molecules, methanethiol and ethanethiol, which enables the detection of propanethiol ice in interstellar dust mantles using the James Webb Space Telescope.