Description
A successful identification of an interstellar compound requires that its spectrum has first been assigned in the laboratory. New and sensitive radiotelescopes, such as ALMA, will make it possible to detect interstellar molecules in much smaller concentrations than before. Cyanoallene (CH_2_=C=CH-CN) has recently been observed in the dense molecular cloud TMC-1 by means of its rotational spectrum. Its methyl congener, 4-methylcyanoallene (CH_3_CH=C=CH-CN), may also be present in the interstellar medium (ISM). This chiral compound exists in two forms, which are mirror images. Chirality is an essential feature of life. So far, no chiral compounds have been detected in the ISM. The synthesis and assignment of the rotational spectrum of CH_3_CH=C=CH-CN, will facilitate the potential detection of this compound in the ISM.
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