$^{13}$C isotopic fractionation of HC$_{3}$N in two starless cores: L1521B and L134N (L183)

TL;DR

This study investigates the $^{13}$C isotopic fractionation of HC$_{3}$N in two starless cores, revealing different formation pathways likely influenced by local conditions, through radio telescope observations of isotopologue ratios.

Contribution

It identifies distinct main formation pathways of HC$_{3}$N in two starless cores based on isotopic fractionation patterns, highlighting variability in chemical processes under similar conditions.

Findings

Different $^{13}$C isotopologue ratios in L1521B and L134N.

Main formation pathway in L1521B is C$_{2}$H$_{2}$ + CN.

Main formation pathway in L134N is HNC + CCH.

Abstract

We observed the $J=5-4$ rotational lines of the normal species and three $^{13}$C isotopologues of HC$_{3}$N at the 45 GHz band toward two low-mass starless cores, L1521B and L134N (L183), using the Nobeyama 45 m radio telescope in order to study the main formation pathways of HC$_{3}$N in each core. The abundance ratios of the three $^{13}$C isotopologues in L1521B are derived to be [H$^{13}$CCCN]:[HC$^{13}$CCN]:[HCC$^{13}$CN] = 0.98 (+- 0.14) : 1.00 : 1.52 (+- 0.16) (1 sigma). The fractionation pattern is consistent with that at the cyanopolyyne peak in Taurus Molecular Cloud-1. This fractionation pattern suggests that the main formation pathway of HC$_{3}$N is the neutral-neutral reaction between C$_{2}$H$_{2}$ and CN. On the other hand, their abundance ratios in L134N are found to be [H$^{13}$CCCN]:[HC$^{13}$CCN]:[HCC$^{13}$CN]= 1.5 (+- 0.2) : 1.0 : 2.1 (+- 0.4) (1 sigma), which are different from those in L1521B. From this fractionation pattern, we propose that the reaction between HNC and CCH is a possible main formation pathway of HC$_{3}$N in L134N. We find out that the main formation pathways of the same molecule are not common even in the similar physical conditions. We discuss the possible factors to make a difference in fractionation pattern between L134N and L1521B/TMC-1.