The molecular interstellar medium and the near-infrared continuum of the barred liner NGC 6764

The millimeter molecular line and near-IR continuum emission in the barred spiral NGC 6764 have been investigated. Comparison of the morphologies indicates that most of the molecular gas is associated with a massive nuclear stellar bulge. The molecular gas at the nucleus is moderately warm while that in the arms is probably cold and/or subthermally excited. Estimates of the total molecular gas mass range from 200 to 600 million solar masses. Most of the gas is concentrated in the inner kpc of the nucleus. The overall L(FIR)/M(H2) ratio is consistent with values for galaxies showing starburst activities, but is significantly smaller than values found for mergers or interacting galaxies. The star formation rate in the nucleus is of the order of afew solar masses per year. The distribution of the extended molecular gas tracted by the (C-12)O(2-1) line emission is in agreement with the predicted response of nuclear gas to a barlike gravitational potential.