  2-aminooxazole (2AO), a N-heterocyclic molecule, has been proposed as an
intermediate in prebiotic syntheses. It has been demonstrated that it can be
synthesized from small molecules such as cyanamide and glycoaldehyde, which are
present in interstellar space. The aim of this work is to provide infrared
spectra, in the solid phase for conditions typical of astrophysical
environments and to estimate its stability toward UV photons and cosmic rays.
Infrared (4000-600 cm$^{-1}$) absorption spectra at 20 K, 180 K, and 300 K, IR
band strengths, and room temperature UV (120-250 nm) absorption spectra are
given for the first time for this species. Destruction cross-sections of 9.5
10$^{-18}$ cm$^2$ and 2 10$^{-16}$ cm$^2$ were found in the irradiation at 20 K
of pure 2AO and 2AO:H$_2$O ices with UV (6.3-10.9 eV) photons or 5 keV
electrons, respectively. These data were used for the estimate of half-life
times for the molecule in different environments. It is estimated that 2AO
could survive UV radiation and cosmic rays in the ice mantles of dense clouds
beyond cloud collapse. In contrast, it would be very unstable at the surface of
cold Solar System bodies like Kuiper belt objects, but the molecule could still
survive within dust grain agglomerates or cometesimals.
