Millimeter wave measurement and assignment of the rotational spectrum of 2-aminopyridine

Previous work involving the rotational spectrum of 2-aminopyridine was limited to the lower frequencies of 4-40 GHz with very few lines being assigned. This work extends this earlier study. Here we present a much more extensive measurement and assignment of the rotational spectrum of 2-aminopyridine in the frequency range of 75-110 GHz. The observed frequencies have been assigned to the ground (0⁺ state) and the first excited state in the inversion vibration (0⁻ state). Measurements of these two states have been extended up to J=46. With the newly assigned lines, significantly improved rotational constants and all five centrifugal distortion constants have been obtained.     

The millimeter wave rotational spectrum of lactic acid

The results of a comprehensive investigation of the rotational spectrum of lactic acid over the frequency region 171-318 GHz are reported. Some supersonic expansion measurements at 8-16 GHz have also been made. A complete set of octic level constants in the asymmetric rotor Hamiltonian has been determined for the ground vibrational state from a fit to over 1000 measured transition frequencies. Spectroscopic constants have also been determined for the first five excited states of the low frequency, 60 cm⁻¹, torsional vibrational mode, and for four other vibrationally excited states. Vibrational states become rather crowded above 200 cm⁻¹, with seven different states only in the next 100 cm⁻¹, and almost all of the measured states in this energy region show evidence of perturbations. The analysis was carried out with the newly developed AABS software package for Assignment and Analysis of Broadband Spectra.     

Fourier transform emission spectroscopy of the BΣ-XΣ system of CN

The emission spectrum of the B²Σ⁺-X²Σ⁺ system of CN has been observed at high-resolution using a Fourier transform spectrometer. The rotational structure of a large number of bands involving vibrational levels v = 0-15 of both electronic states has been analyzed, and improved spectroscopic constants have been determined by combining the microwave and infrared measurements from previous studies. Improved spectroscopic constants for vibrational levels up to v″ = 18 in the X²Σ⁺ state and v′ = 19 in the B²Σ⁺ state have been determined by combining the measurements of the 16-13, 18-17, 18-18, 19-15, and 19-18 bands of Douglas and Routly [Astrophys. J. Suppl. 1 (1955) 295-318] and 17-14 and 17-16 bands of Ito et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 96 (1992) 4195] with our data. The band constants obtained have been used to estimate equilibrium ground state constants for CN.     

Comprehensive analysis of the FASSST rotational spectrum of S(CN)2

Results are reported of a comprehensive investigation of an almost continuous rotational spectrum of S(CN)₂ recorded over the frequency region 110-374 GHz by means of the FASSST spectroscopic technique. The spectrum was analysed in detail and over 22 000 transitions were assigned in total. Precise, octic order spectroscopic constants in the asymmetric rotor Hamiltonian have been determined for the ground state and 12 different vibrationally excited states of the parent isotopologue, including first excited states of five different normal modes. Three states near 370 cm⁻¹ and four states near 490 cm⁻¹ above the ground state were found to be mutually interacting and were successfully analysed in terms of a triad and a tetrad of coupled states, respectively. Rotational transitions in the ³⁴S, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N isotopologues of S(CN)₂ have also been assigned and fitted, and newly determined rotational constants were used to derive the geometry of the molecule. The complex multistate analysis of the spectrum was carried out with the newly developed AABS software package for Assignment and Analysis of Broadband Spectra.     

Rotational spectrum of trans-trans diethyl ether in the ground and three excited vibrational states

We report the results of a comprehensive reinvestigation of the rotational spectrum of diethyl ether based on broadband millimetre-wave spectra recently recorded at The Ohio State University and in Warsaw, covering the frequency region 108-366 GHz. The data set for the ground vibrational state of trans-trans diethyl ether has been extended to over 2000 lines and improved spectroscopic constants have been determined. Rotational spectra in the first excited vibrational states of the three lowest vibrational modes of trans-trans-diethyl ether, ν₂₀, ν₃₉, and ν₁₂ have been assigned. The v₂₀ = 1 and v₃₉ = 1 states are near 100 cm⁻¹ in vibrational term value and are coupled by a strong c-axis Coriolis interaction, which gives rise to many spectacular manifestations in the rotational spectrum. All of these effects have been successfully fitted for a dataset comprising over 3000 transitions, leading to precise determination of the energy difference between these states, (ΔE/hc)=10.400222(5) cm⁻¹. A newly developed software package for assignment and analysis of broadband spectra is described and made available.     

Microwave spectrum and structure of furfural

The microwave spectrum of furfural was investigated in the frequency range 7 GHz-21 GHz and 49 GHz-330 GHz. The ground and first torsional state of trans-furfural and ground state of cis-furfural were assigned and analyzed. A total of 1720 rotational lines with J up to 100 and K_a up to 53 were assigned to the ground state of trans-furfural, 1406 rotational lines with J up to 100 and K_a up to 48 were assigned to the first torsional state of trans-furfural and 2103 rotational lines with J up to 90 and K_a up to 48 to the ground state of cis-furfural. Accurate sets of centrifugal distortion constants for both conformations have been determined for the first time. The spectra of all ¹³C and ¹⁸O singly substituted isotopic species were observed in natural abundance in the 7 GHz-21 GHz range. Molecular structure co-ordinates, bond lengths and angles of the Kraitchman substitution type (r_s) and pseudo-Kraitchman type (r_pKr) are derived from the isotopic studies.     

A Fabry-Perót type resonator tunable below 2 GHz for use in time domain rotational spectroscopy: Application to the measurement of the radio frequency spectra of bromobenzene and iodobenzene

Two aluminum mirrors with radii of 203.2 mm and radii of curvature also of 203.2 mm have been used to construct a tunable Fabry-Perót type resonator with Q values of ∼200 at frequencies as low as 500 MHz. The resonator has been incorporated into a pulsed nozzle, Fourier transform, Balle-Flygare spectrometer typically used for recording pure rotational spectra in the microwave region. The resonator design allows the instrument to access the radio frequency region (?3 GHz) of the electromagnetic spectrum. The spectrometer is of use in (i) recording low J transitions of large asymmetric molecules where the spectra are often greatly simplified compared to higher frequency regions; (ii) measuring hyperfine constants for heavy molecules with higher accuracy than may be obtained at higher frequencies where hyperfine structure may not be resolvable; and (iii) provides further synchronicity between laboratory based measurements and radio astronomy in the 30 cm region. The resonators use is illustrated by recording the rotational spectra of bromobenzene and iodobenzene. The lowest ΔJ = +1 transition for iodobenzene has been observed at 1130.5292(10) MHz.     

The sub-millimeter and Fourier transform microwave spectrum of HZnCl (X Σ)

The pure rotational spectrum of HZnCl (X ¹Σ⁺) has been recorded using sub-millimeter direct-absorption methods in the range of 439-540 GHz and Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) techniques from 9 to 39 GHz. This species was produced by the reaction of zinc vapor and chlorine gas with H₂ or D₂ in a d.c. glow discharge for the sub-millimeter studies. In the FTMW measurements, HZnCl was created in a discharge nozzle from Cl₂ and (CH₃)₂Zn. Between 5 and 10 rotational transitions were measured in the sub-millimeter regime for four zinc and two chlorine isotopologues; four transitions were recorded with the FTMW machine for the main isotopologue, each consisting of several chlorine hyperfine components. The data are consistent with a linear molecule and a ¹Σ⁺ ground electronic state. Rotational and chlorine quadrupole constants were established from the spectra, as well as an r_m⁽²⁾ structure. The Zn-Cl and Zn-H bond lengths were determined to be 2.0829 and 1.5050 Å, respectively; in contrast, the Zn-Cl bond distance in ZnCl is 2.1300 Å, longer by ∼0.050 Å. The zinc-chlorine bond distance therefore shortens with the addition of the H atom. The ³⁵Cl electric quadrupole coupling constant of eQq = −27.429 MHz found for HZnCl suggests that this molecule is primarily an ionic species with some covalent character for the Zn-Cl bond.     

The rotational spectrum of the SH radical in its XΣ state

All the available data on the rotational energy levels of the SH⁺ (sulfoniumylidene) radical in the v = 0 and 1 levels of the X³Σ⁻ ground state have been subjected to a single, weighted least-squares fit to determine an improved set of molecular parameters for this molecule. The results have been used to calculate the rotational spectrum of the SH⁺ radical in the v = 0 and 1 levels up to the N = 4-3 transition.     

The pure rotational spectrum of ZnS (XΣ)

The pure rotational spectrum of ZnS (X¹Σ⁺) has been measured using direct-absorption millimeter/sub-millimeter techniques in the frequency range 372-471 GHz. This study is the first spectroscopic investigation of this molecule. Spectra originating in four zinc isotopologues (⁶⁴ZnS, ⁶⁶ZnS, ⁶⁸ZnS, and ⁶⁷ZnS) were recorded in natural abundance in the ground vibrational state, and data from the v = 1 state were also measured for the two most abundant zinc species. Spectroscopic constants have been subsequently determined, and equilibrium parameters have been estimated. The equilibrium bond length was calculated to be r_e ∼ 2.0464 Å, which agrees well with theoretical predictions. In contrast, the dissociation energy of D_E ∼ 3.12 eV calculated for ZnS, assuming a Morse potential, was significantly higher than past experimental and theoretical estimates, suggesting diabatic interaction with other potentials that lower the effective dissociation energy. Although ZnS is isovalent with ZnO, there appear to be subtle differences in bonding between the two species, as suggested by their respective force constants and bond length trends in the 3d series.     

The eight first vibrational states of the water molecule: measurements and analysis

In this work the spectrum of the water molecule has been the subject of extensive experimental and theoretical investigations. More than 1500 transitions have been assigned in a far infrared emission spectrum recorded in the 50-500 cm⁻¹ region and experimental rotational energies have been obtained for the second triad of interacting states, (0 3 0), (1 1 0), and (0 1 1), up to J=10 using flame spectroscopy. These new data along with a large data set of already published experimental rotational energies, high-resolution infrared transitions, and microwave lines, involving the eight first vibrational states, have been analyzed using the theoretical formalism developed for water in a previous paper (J. Mol. Spectrosc. 206 (2001) 83), which accounts for the anomalous centrifugal distortion as well as for the Fermi- and Coriolis-type couplings.     

Millimeter-wave spectrum and ab initio DFT calculation of the C-gauche conformer of allyl isocyanate

The analysis of the ground state rotational spectrum of the C-gauche conformer of allyl isocyanate has been extended up to the frequency range of 100.0 GHz. A detailed centrifugal distortion analysis has been carried out using previously reported and newly measured transition frequencies. More accurate values of the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants are presented. Quantum chemical calculations at DFT levels of theory using large basis sets b3lyp/6-311G(d, p), have also been made to compute rotational constants, dipole moments and potential energies for different conformers of this molecule. Finally, different bond lengths and centrifugal distortion constants for the C-gauche conformer have been computed.     

Accurate rest frequencies of submillimeter-wave lines of H2D and D2H

We re-examined the submillimeter-wave transition frequencies of H₂D⁺ (J = 1₁₀ − 1₁₁ at 372.4 GHz) and D₂H⁺ (J = 1₁₀ − 1₀₁ at 691.7 GHz) to resolve suggested slight difference in velocity (v_LSR) of these species detected in the cold pre-stellar core 16293E recently. Both H₂D⁺ and D₂H⁺ were generated in a magnetically confined extended-negative glow discharge of a gaseous mixture of H₂/D₂/Ar. A combination of small improvements in various aspects of the measurements such as double modulation technique combined with a conventional frequency modulation and magnetic field modulation and more efficient signal accumulation method allowed us to improve signal-to-noise ratio, and thus to determine the transition frequencies more accurately. Both transition frequencies for the H₂D⁺ and D₂H⁺ lines have been thus determined to be 372421.385(10) and 691660.483(20) MHz, respectively. These precise rest frequencies suggest that the v_LSR of H₂D⁺ and D₂H⁺ in the pre-stellar core 16293E are indeed different as indicated in a recent astronomical observation. In addition, in this investigation, another transition of H₂D⁺ which falls in this frequency region, J = 3₂₁ − 3₂₂ transition, has been observed at 646430.293(50) MHz. As H₂D⁺ is a lightest asymmetric-top molecule and it is difficult to predict the rotational transition frequencies by using the effective asymmetric rotor Hamiltonian, any new observation of the rotational lines will be useful to improve the molecular parameters. The molecular constants for the ground state have been obtained for H₂D⁺ and D₂H⁺ by fitting these new measured frequencies together with the combination differences.     

Millimeter-wave spectrum of 2,3-difluorobenzonitrile and ab initio DFT calculations

The ground vibrational state rotational spectrum of 2,3-difluorobenzonitrile has been reinvestigated in the frequency range 40.0-99.0 GHz. High J and K₋₁ (J ? 62 and K₋₁ ? 20) transitions have been measured and analyzed to determine accurate rotational and centrifugal distortion constants. Finally, the experimental values were compared with the corresponding values computed at the DFT-B3PW91/6-31g(d,p) level of theory. A very good agreement has been found.     

Reinvestigation of pressure broadening parameters at 60-GHz band and single 118.75 GHz oxygen lines at room temperature

Low pressure measurements of broadening parameters of the 118.75 GHz fine structure line of oxygen molecule have been made by a BWO-based spectrometer with acoustic detector (RAD) at room temperature. Pressure broadening parameters were obtained for the buffer gases O₂, N₂, Ne, He, Ar, H₂O, CO₂, and CO and have the following values 2.23 ± 0.01, 2.245 ± 0.02, 1.375 ± 0.02, 1.62 ± 0.03, 2.005 ± 0.02, 2.52 ± 0.04, 2.66 ± 0.08, and 2.31 ± 0.05 MHz/Torr, respectively. Measured central frequency is 118 750.340 ± 0.007 MHz. The central frequencies and broadenings by O₂ and N₂ of fine structure lines 1⁺, 5⁻, 7⁺, 11⁺, and 15⁻ belonging to the 60-GHz band are also measured. Comparison of previous and recent data on electronic, rotational, and fine structure lines broadenings reveals their close values (within 10%) and dependencies on corresponding rotational quantum numbers for these different oxygen spectra stretching from millimeter through submillimeter up to the optical bands. Such similarity could be used for estimation of the broadenings of not measured yet oxygen lines.     

Emission spectroscopy of a new Δ-1Δ system of VO

High-resolution spectra of VO have been reinvestigated in the 12 000-31 000 cm⁻¹ region. VO was produced in a vanadium hollow cathode lamp by discharging 1.5 Torr of Ar and the spectra were recorded using a Fourier transform spectrometer. The oxygen needed to produce VO was present in the system as an impurity. Three new bands observed in the 21 000-22 100 cm⁻¹ region have been attributed to a new ²Δ-1²Δ electronic transition of VO. Two bands, with origins near 21 044 and 22 038 cm⁻¹, have been assigned as the 0-1 and 0-0 bands of the ²Δ_3/2-1²Δ_3/2 sub-band while a weak band with an origin near 21 975 cm⁻¹ has been assigned as the 0-0 band of the corresponding ²Δ_5/2-1²Δ_5/2 sub-band. A rotational analysis of these sub-bands has been obtained and spectroscopic constants have been extracted. The 1²Δ state is known from the previous analyses of the doublet transitions of VO in the near infrared. The present observation has allowed the determination of the vibrational interval ΔG_1/2 and the equilibrium rotational constants for the 1²Δ_3/2 state.     

The rotational spectrum of epifluorohydrin measured by chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy

The rotational spectrum of epifluorohydrin measured by chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave (CP-FTMW) spectroscopy is presented. A new CP-FTMW spectrometer capable of measuring the entire 7.5-18.5 GHz spectrum with a single polarizing pulse is described briefly. The CP-FTMW spectrometer takes advantage of recent advances in digital electronics by utilizing a 4.2 GS/s arbitrary waveform generator as a frequency source and a 12 GHz digital oscilloscope to digitize the down converted molecular free induction decay (FID). Signal averaging in the time domain is used to increase the signal-to-noise ratio. The rotational constants of three unique conformers of epifluorohydrin were measured, as well as the rotational constants of the three unique ¹³C isotopomers and the ¹⁸O isotopomer (in natural abundance) of the most stable conformer. The rotational constants of the two less stable conformers differ significantly from those previously reported [F.G. Fujiwara, J.L. Painter, H. Kim, J. Mol. Struct. 41 (1977) 169-175]. Ab initio calculations were performed for all three conformations and are compared to experimental values.     

Laser and Fourier transform emission spectroscopy of TaCl

The emission spectrum of TaCl has been recorded at high resolution in the 3000-35 000 cm⁻¹ region using a Fourier transform spectrometer. The bands were observed by microwave excitation of a mixture of TaCl₅ vapor and 3.0 Torr of He. Several TaCl bands have also been recorded using the laser ablation/molecular beam source at the University of New Brunswick. A rotational analysis of a number of bands has been obtained and the majority of the stronger bands have been classified into three groups with different lower state spectroscopic constants. The three lower states have been identified as having Ω″ = 0⁺, Ω″ = 2, and (tentatively) Ω″ = 3. The Ω″ = 0⁺ and Ω″ = 2 states are very close in energy and one of these two states is the ground state of TaCl.     

High-resolution laser spectroscopy of the potassium-argon molecule: The BΣ state

The absorption spectrum of the KAr molecule has been observed with high resolution between 13 032 and 13 077 cm⁻¹ using tunable laser diodes as light sources, a supersonic beam for production of the molecules, and laser-induced fluorescence for detection. In addition, optical-optical double resonance (OODR) experiments have been performed to simplify the spectrum and to get rotational assignment. Altogether, 670 lines due to the transition B²Σ⁺ ← X²Σ⁺ have successfully been assigned with vibrational levels of the B state ranging from v = 0 to v = 6. The corresponding energy values were fitted to the well-known Dunham expansion. In addition, we were able to analyse a local perturbation between the vibrational level v = 1 of the B state and v = 14 of the A²Π_3/2 state. Unexpected extra lines in the OODR spectra are most probably due to a collision-induced population of other levels. For the equilibrium distance and the well-depth of the B state we obtain from the Dunham expansion 7.03 (8) Å and 26.2 (8) cm⁻¹, respectively.     

Submillimeter-wave spectroscopy of HN2 and DN2 in the excited vibrational states

The pure rotational transitions of HN₂⁺ and DN₂⁺ in the first excited vibrational states for all the fundamental vibrational modes have been observed in the range of 300-750 GHz. The molecular constants determined are much more accurate compared with those obtained from the infrared spectroscopy. The equilibrium rotational constants, B_e = 46832.45 (71) MHz for HN₂⁺ and B_e = 38708.38 (58) MHz for DN₂⁺, have been determined by correcting for the higher-order vibration-rotation interaction effects, γ_ij, obtained by an infrared investigation. The equilibrium bond lengths are derived from these equilibrium rotational constants: r_e(H-N) = 1.03460 (14) Å and r_e (N-N) = 1.092698 (26) Å.