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J.L. Highberger, C. Savage, L.M. Ziurys (Steward Observatory, The University of Arizona)
Until now, the late type carbon star IRC+10216 has been considered to be chemically unique. This is the only object where metal-containing molecules have been detected in the interstellar medium. Recently, we have observed metal-containing molecules towards several new stars, specifically CRL 2688 and CRL 618, two AGB stars evolving into the planetary nebula phase. Five transitions arising from NaCN and three transitions of MgNC were discovered in CRL 2688 and two lines of MgNC were found in CRL 618. These new observations suggest that late-type giant stars are general sites of metal compound formation. Implication of these findings for interstellar chemistry will be discussed.