title: CH2D(+), the search for the holy grail.
abstract: CH2D+, the singly deuterated counterpart of CH3(+), offers an alternative way to mediate formation of deuterated species at temperatures of several tens of Kelvin, as compared to the release of deuterated species from grains. We report a longstanding observational search for this molecular ion, whose rotational spectroscopy is not yet completely secure. We summarize the main spectroscopic properties of this molecule and discuss the chemical network leading to the formation of CH2D+, with explicit account of the ortho/para forms of H2, H3(+), and CH3(+). Astrochemical models support the presence of this molecular ion in moderately warm environments at a marginal level.
authors.affiliation: Observatoire de Paris , LUTh and UMR 8102 due CNRS, Place J. Janssen, 92190 Meudon, France.
authors.forename: Evelyne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Roueff
authors.forename: Maryvonne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gerin
authors.forename: Dariusz C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Lis
authors.forename: Alwyn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wootten
authors.forename: Nuria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Marcelino
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cernicharo
authors.forename: Belen
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tercero