Comprehensive analysis reveals molecular evolution in outflow, indicating shock and thermal processes drive chemistry.
We present a comprehensive study on the physical and chemical structures of a chemically rich bipolar outflow in a high-mass star-forming region IRAS 16272−4837 (SDC335), utilizing high-resolution spectral line data at 1.3 and 3 mm dual bands from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, ATOMS, and QUARKS surveys. The high-velocity jet is enveloped by a lower-velocity outflow cavity, containing bright knots that show enhanced molecular intensities and elevated excitation temperatures. Along the outflow, we have identified 35 transitions from 22 molecular species. By analyzing the spatial distribution and kinematics of these molecular lines, we find that the molecular inventory in the outflow is regulated by three processes: (i) direct entrainment from the natal molecular core by the outflow; (ii) shock-induced release of molecules or atoms from dust grains; and (iii) thermal desorption and gas-phase reactions driven by shock heating. These results confirm that outflows are not only dynamical structures but also active chemical factories, where entrainment, shocks, and thermal processing jointly enrich the molecular content. Our findings confirmed that outflow chemistry has a multiorigin nature, and provide critical insights into chemical evolution during high-mass star formation.
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