Emission lines of eight molecules were observed in the circumstellar outflow of the bipolar nebula OH 231.8+4.2. Five of these molecules, including HNC, CS, and NH3, were previously undetected in this object, and two of these - HCO+ and OCS - are reported for the first time in any post-main-sequence circumstellar outflow. Of the 13 molecules now known in this outflow, five contain sulfur. A discussion of the circumstellar chemistry in OH 231.8+4.2 is presented. Shocks may be important for producing the sulfur molecules with their observed abundances. Line profiles are used to discuss the kinematics of the outflow. An examination of the latitude dependence of the outflow velocity and mass-loss rate is presented.
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Morris et al. (1987) studied this question.