Exploring the chemical evolution in hot molecular cores

Abstract

We present preliminary results of an extensive research project aimed at describing the physical and chemical conditions of hot molecular cores (HMCs). Using millimeter continuum and spectroscopic data extracted from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) archive, we have estimated rotational temperatures ($\rm T_{rot}$) and column densities of $\rm{CH_{3}CN}$, $\rm{CH_{3}CCH}$, and A-- and E--$\rm CH_{3}OH$ for a sample of molecular cores. We present a thermal characterization of these cores, revealing the existence of temperature gradients within them. These cores are, in turn, embedded in large molecular clouds. Additionally, we estimated molecular abundances that were evaluated as tracers of the chemical evolution of these cores. Finally, in a pilot study aimed to link observations with simulations, some of the obtained molecular abundances are compared with predictions from the Nautilus code.