The microwave spectrum and structure of the argon trifluoroacetonitrile complex

The rotational spectrum of argon trifluoroacetonitrile complex has been studied by pulsed-nozzle, Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Both a-type and b-type transitions have been observed. The rotational constants are A = 3053.0903(2) MHz, B = 1039.9570(2) MHz, and C = 895.5788(1) MHz. The ¹⁴N nuclear quadrupole hyperfine components of the rotational transitions have been resolved, the ¹⁴N nuclear quadrupole coupling constants are χ_aa = 1.746(1) MHz, and χ_bb − χ_cc = −6.426(2) MHz. The complex is T-shaped, with the argon atom located 3.73 Å from the center of mass of the trifluoroacetonitrile molecule.     

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.     

The υ1 fundamental bands of trans- and cis-DONO studied by high-resolution Fourier-transform spectroscopy

The absorption spectrum of deuterated nitrous acid DONO in the region from 2350 to 3000 cm⁻¹ has been recorded at a resolution of 0.003 cm⁻¹ using a Fourier-transform spectrometer. For the first time, 1366 a- and b-type transitions in the υ₁ fundamental band of trans-DONO and 741 b-type transitions in the υ₁ fundamental band of cis-DONO have been assigned. Rotational and centrifugal distortion constants up to sextic order were determined for the v₁ = 1 states of trans- and cis-DONO using non-linear least-squares calculations. Synthetic spectra calculated using the new rovibrational constants obtained for both species reproduce the observed spectra very well. In addition, the infrared transitions of this study were used, together with previously published pure rotational transitions, to determine improved rotational and centrifugal distortion constants of the ground states of trans- and cis-DONO.     

Experimental configuration, F-F spin-spin coupling, and potential energy surface of difluoromethane-Ar

The rotational spectra of normal and ¹³C species of difluoromethane-argon have been investigated by molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The obtained results allowed for the determination of the configuration of the complex, based on experimental data. The tunnelling splitting originated by van der Waals motions has been determined to be 193.740(1) and 162.16(8) MHz for the normal and ¹³C species, respectively. The two vibrational splittings have been used to evaluate a tunnelling barrier of 94(5) cm⁻¹. The fluorine-fluorine nuclear spin-spin coupling constant has been determined, D_aa = 0.19(1) MHz.     

The torsion-rotation spectrum of perchloric acid, HClO4

The rotational spectrum of HClO₄ has been observed in selected regions between 51.7 and 870 GHz. The molecule is a near spherical rotor with a moderately low barrier to internal rotation. The spectrum is characterized by strong μ_a, R-branch groupings with B + C = 5276.78 MHz. Although there are no E torsional states, the R-branches show three distinct groups of lines. There is a relatively tight cluster of symmetric rotor like transitions with K = 3n, a rather regular progression of transitions with K = 3n + 2 to high frequency and a less regular group of transitions with K = 3n + 1 to low frequency. Because the molecule is nearly spherical, the energy as a function of K is dominated by the K dependent solutions of the Mathieu equation. This unusual energy level distribution gives rise to numerous anomalous splittings and shifts due to avoided crossings within the K stacks as well as widely scattered μ_b transitions. The fitting procedure will be described and the effective parameters will be presented. Rotational transitions of excited torsional states at and above the top of the barrier and the v_t = 2-0 far infrared spectrum have been assigned. The dipole moment and the quadrupole coupling constants have been determined. Structural implications will be discussed.     

The millimeter-wave rotational spectrum of fluorobenzene

The room-temperature rotational spectrum of fluorobenzene was studied in the frequency region 167-318 GHz. Rotational transitions were assigned and measured in the ground vibrational state, and all six excited vibrational states with energies below 600 cm⁻¹, i.e., v₁₁ = 1, v₁₁ = 2, v_18b = 1, v_16a = 1, v_16b = 1, and v_6a = 1. Accurate quartic-level spectroscopic constants were determined for all states, allowing spectral predictions well into the submillimeter region. The states v_18b = 1 and v_16a = 1 were found to be connected by a strong Coriolis interaction, which allowed precise determination of their energy separation, ΔE = 7.455088(3) cm⁻¹. Unambiguous assignment of vibrational modes was made on the basis of the calculated inertial defect and nuclear spin statistical weights. Rotational constants for the ¹³C₄ isotopomer have also been redetermined and two new least-squares determinations of the geometry of fluorobenzene, r₀ and are reported.     

Microwave spectroscopic study of the conformations,relative energies,and dipole moments of ethyl cyanoformate

The microwave spectrum of ethyl cyanoformate displays a-type band spectra from three nearly prolate conformers. High-resolution spectra of the two more stable species have been assigned. One form, designated extended, has rotational constants A″ = 6453.3(4) MHz, B″ = 1500.47(6) MHz, C″ = 1236.36(6) MHz, which are consistent with a syn-anti [τ₁ (OCOC) = 0°, τ₂ (COCC) = 180°] structure. The second form, labeled compact, has rotational constants A″ = 6787.8(7) MHz, B″ = 1549.38(8) MHz, C″ = 1406.80(8) MHz, which are consistent with a syn-gauche [τ₁ (OCOC) = 0°, τ₂ (COCC) ～ 90°] structure. The extended form is marginally more stable, ΔE = 55 ± 27 cm^?1. The extended conformer has dipole moment components μ_a = 4.44(7), μ_b ～ 0 D and the compact conformer has dipole moment components μ_a = 4.25(7), μ_b = 0, μ_c = 1.08(23) D. The third conformer (relative energy 600 ± 140 cm^?1) has the most intense band series even at ?63°C. the bands of this conformer are unresolvable into individual rotational transitions.     

Line assignments and global analysis of the tunneling-rotational microwave absorption spectrum of dimethyl methylphosphonate

Line assignments were carried out for about 600 Fourier-transform microwave transitions for dimethyl methylphosphonate involving levels of all six symmetry species in the G₁₈ molecular symmetry group appropriate for three large-amplitude motions and covering J and K values of 1?J?6 and 0?|K|?3. The assignments are based on combination-difference loops, variations in line shape for different symmetry species caused by the small internal-rotor splitting patterns of the third, high-barrier methyl top, and agreement with theoretically expected positions. A global fit of 609 lines to a phenomenological tunneling-rotational Hamiltonian with 54 constants was performed, yielding a standard deviation of 8.0 kHz, which is close to the experimental measurement uncertainty. The A/E tunneling splitting for the lowest barrier methyl group internal rotation motion was determined indirectly to be about 34 GHz. The much smaller tunneling splitting for the methoxy interchange motion was determined (with some assumptions) to be 3.3 MHz.     

Microwave spectrum,dipole moment,and structure of anti-vinyl alcohol

The rotational spectra of the anti conformer of vinyl alcohol (ethenol, H₂CCHOH) and its OD modification have been studied by microwave spectroscopy. The compounds have been generated by very-low-pressure pyrolyses of the appropriate isotopic species of 3-thietanol. In both cases the 25 measured μ_a- and μ_b-type transitions allowed the rotational constants and all five quartic centrifugal distortion constants to be determined. Stark effect measurements have yielded the electic dipole moment: μ_a = 0.547(2), μ_b = 1.702(1), and μ = 1.788(1) D. By relative intensity measurements it has been found that the vibrational ground state of the anti conformer lies 4.5±0.6 kJ mol^?1 above the syn conformer. In addition, ab initio calculations at the 6–31G⁷ level have been performed to obtain the structure, relative energy, and dipole moment of both rotamers.     

The b-type rotational transitions of HNCO in the lowest excited vibrational state

In the microwave and millimeter wave spectra of HNCO, the b-type transitions between the K_a = 0 and 1 levels in the lowest excited vibrational state have been observed. Because of strong a-type Coriolis resonances among the three bending excited states the energy difference between the levels for K_a = 0 and 1 is much smaller in the lowest excited state than in the ground state. The subband origin of these b-type transitions has been found in the millimeter wave region at 275 697.309 MHz (9.1963 cm^?1). The effect of the Coriolis resonances is discussed in relation to the molecular quasi-linearity and is compared with the case of HNCS.     

The high-resolution FTIR spectrum of the ν6 band of C2H3D

The absorption spectrum of the ν₆ band of C₂H₃D centered near 1125.27674 cm⁻¹ in the 1100-1250 cm⁻¹ region was recorded with an unapodized resolution of 0.0063 cm⁻¹ using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. A total of 947 infrared transitions of the A-B hybrid-type band were assigned and fitted to upper-state (ν₆ = 1) rovibrational constants using a Watson’s A-reduced Hamiltonian in the I^r representation up to eighth-order centrifugal distortion terms. The b-type infrared transitions of the band were analyzed for the first time. The root-mean-square deviation of the fit was 0.00062 cm⁻¹. The ground-state rovibrational constants up to eighth-order terms were also obtained by a fit of 617 combination differences from the present infrared measurements, simultaneously with 21 microwave frequencies with a root-mean-square deviation of 0.00055 cm⁻¹. From this work, the upper-state (ν₆ = 1) and ground-state constants of C₂H₃D were derived with the highest accuracy, so far. The a- and b-type transitions of the hybrid ν₆ band were found to be relatively free from local frequency perturbations. The ratio of the a- to b-type vibrational dipole transition moments (μ_a/μ_b) was found to be 1.05 ± 0.10. From the ν₆ = 1 rovibrational constants obtained, the inertial defect Δ₆ was calculated to be 0.3570 ± 0.0008 μŲ.     

Spectroscopic constants of the ground and lower vibrational states of CH2BrF: A combined high resolution infrared and microwave study

The enriched ⁸¹Br isotopic species of bromofluoromethane has been investigated in the infrared and microwave regions. The rovibrational spectrum of the ν₅ fundamental has been studied by high resolution FTIR spectroscopy, while the rotational spectra of the ground and v₆ = 1 states have been observed by means of microwave spectroscopy. More than 2700 transitions have been assigned in the ν₅ band and the analysis of the rovibrational structure reveals a first-order c-type Coriolis resonance with the v₆ = 2 state. The present study improves the ground state constants available in the literature and enables the determination of further centrifugal distortion parameters together with the full bromine quadrupole coupling tensor. A set of spectroscopic parameters up to the sextic distortion terms for the vibrational excited states has been accurately evaluated for the first time.     

High-resolution spectroscopy of the ν8 band of methylene bromide using a quantum cascade laser

A continuous wave cavity ringdown spectrometer with a Fabry-Perot quantum cascade laser has been used to collect a rotationally-resolved infrared spectrum of the ν₈ vibrational band of methylene bromide in a slit nozzle expansion. In our laboratory, previous observations of the vibrational band were limited by spectral coverage to only the P and Q-branches and by the 24 MHz step-size of the laser [1]. The issue of limited spectral coverage has been resolved using a Fresnel rhomb and a wire grid polarizer to protect the laser from the destabilizing effects of back-reflection from the ringdown cavity. The frequency step-size of the spectrometer has been reduced from 24 MHz to 2 MHz. With both of these instrument enhancements, we have been able to record the R-branch of the vibrational band, and can resolve many lines that were previously blended in spectra acquired using a pinhole expansion nozzle. Significant hyperfine splitting was observed for the low-J transitions in the P and R-branches. It was possible to neglect the effects of hyperfine splitting for transitions involving J″ > 2 in the spectral assignment, and simulations using the constants obtained by fitting to Watson’s S-reduced Hamiltonian for CH₂⁷⁹Br⁸¹Br, and the A-reduced form for CH₂⁷⁹Br₂ and CH₂⁸¹Br₂, provide a good match to experimental spectra. A total of 297 transitions have been assigned for all three isotopologues, with a standard deviation of 0.00024 cm⁻¹(∼7 MHz).     

Millimeter and submillimeter wave spectroscopic investigations into the rotation-tunneling spectrum of gGg ethylene glycol, HOCH2CH2OH

The rotation-tunneling spectrum of the second most stable gGg^′ conformer of ethylene glycol (1,2-ethanediol) in its ground vibrational state has been studied in selected regions between 77 and 579 GHz. Compared to the study of the more stable aGg^′ conformer, a much larger frequency range was studied, resulting in a much extended frequency list covering similar quantum numbers, J?55 and K_a?19. While the input data were reproduced within experimental uncertainties up to moderately high values of J and K_a larger residuals remain at higher quantum numbers. The severe mixing of the states caused by the Coriolis interaction between the two tunneling substates is suggested to provide a considerable part of the explanation. In addition, a Coriolis interaction of the gGg^′ ground vibrational state with an excited state of the aGg^′ conformer may also contribute. Relative intensities of closely spaced lines have been investigated to determine the signs of the Coriolis constants between the two tunneling substates relative to the dipole moment components and to estimate the magnitudes of the dipole moment components and the energy difference between the gGg^′ and the aGg^′ conformers. Results of ab initio calculations on the total dipole moment and the vibrational spectrum were needed for these estimates. The current analysis is limited to transitions with quantum numbers J?40 and K_a?6 plus those having J?22 and K_a?17 which could be reproduced within experimental uncertainties. The results are aimed at aiding radioastronomers to search for gGg^′ ethylene glycol in comets and in interstellar space.     

Microwave spectral studies of rotational isomerism in substituted ethanethiols: 2-Aminoethanethiol and 2-chloroethanethiol

Microwave spectra were observed and analyzed for 2-aminoethanethiol and 2-chloroethanethiol. The amino compound exists in two gauche rotameric conformations, one exhibiting an intramolecular SH?N hydrogen bond. The hydrogen-bonded conformer lies higher in energy by 274 ± 90 cal mole^?1 and has the following rotational constants (in MHz): A = 12 040.1 ± 11.3, B = 3352.24 ± 0.03, and C = 2881.99 ± 0.03. For the non-hydrogen-bonded conformer the rotational constants (in MHz) are A = 11 929.9 ± 10.2, B = 3395.01 ± 0.03, and C = 2877.82 ± 0.03. Dipole moment measurements for the H-bond conformer led to μ_a = 2.68 D, μ_b = 0.88 D, and μ_c = 0.37 D, while for the non-H-bond form the values are μ_a = 1.51 D, μ_b = 0.0 D, and μ_c = 0.62 D. In the case of chloroethanethiol, the only assigned spectral lines were the unresolved J → J + 1 a-type bands of a trans conformation. For this molecule the combination rotational constant B + C has the value 2955.17 ± 0.02 MHz for the ³⁵Cl species and 2879.73 ± 0.02 MHz for the ³⁷Cl species.     

Internal rotation effects in the pulsed jet rotational spectrum of the trifluoromethane-carbon dioxide dimer

The rotational spectrum of the normal isotopic species of the HCF₃-CO₂ weakly bound complex has been measured by Fourier-transform microwave (FTMW) spectroscopy. All transitions are split into A and E states by internal rotation of the trifluoromethane subunit. A global fit of these states gives rotational constants that are consistent with a structure predicted by an MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) ab initio calculation in which the axes of the monomers are coplanar, with the hydrogen atom of the trifluoromethane angled toward one of the oxygen atoms of the CO₂. Measured dipole moment components (μ_a = 0.431(6) D, μ_b = 0, μ_c = 1.436(6) D, μ_total = 1.499(6) D) confirm the ab initio prediction of an ac plane of symmetry; however, the very near-prolate nature of the complex (κ = −0.997), combined with the relatively high barrier to internal rotation (∼30 cm⁻¹) leads to asymmetry splittings and internal rotation splittings of similar magnitude, resulting in the observation of dipole forbidden b-type E-state transitions in addition to the expected a- and c-type lines. Although this effect has been observed previously in several monomer spectra, this appears to be one of few examples for a weakly bound complex.     

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.     

Microwave spectrum,molecular structure,and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants of 3-bromopropene

The microwave spectra of the two ⁷⁹Br and ⁸¹Br isotopic species of 3-bromopropene were measured in the frequency region 14–23 GHz. The R and Q branches for a- and b-type rotational transitions of one conformer, skew, have been assigned and the rotational constants of the ground state have been determined to be A = 19 247.56 MHz, B = 1975.339 MHz, and C = 1914.761 MHz for ⁷⁹Br species, and A = 19 234.26 MHz, B = 1961.417 MHz, and C = 1901.563 MHz for ⁸¹Br species, respectively. By the analysis of the second-order perturbation treatment of the quadrupole interaction, it is found that the χ_ab element of the χ tensor primarily contributes to the anomalous hyperfine splittings. The matrix elements of products of direction cosines in terms of the symmetric top wavefunctions have been derived. The nuclear quadrupole coupling constants have been determined χ_aa = 384.2 MHz, χ_bb = ?71.9 MHz, χ_cc = ?276.3 MHz, and |χ_ab| = 358.7 MHz for ⁷⁹Br species and χ_aa = 283.2 MHz, χ_bb = ?55.6 MHz, χ_cc = ?227.6 MHz, and |χ_ab| = 296.0 MHz for ⁸¹Br species.     

Rotational spectra of gauche perfluoro-n-butane, C4F10; perfluoro-iso-butane, (CF3)3CF; and tris(trifluoromethyl)methane, (CF3)3CH

The microwave spectra of the gauche conformer of perfluoro-n-butane, n-C₄F₁₀, of perfluoro-iso-butane, (CF₃)₃CF, and of tris(trifluoromethyl)methane, (CF₃)₃CH, have been observed and assigned. The rotational and centrifugal distortion constants for gauche n-C₄F₁₀ are: A = 1058.11750(7) MHz, B = 617.6832(1) MHz, C = 552.18794(1) MHz, Δ_J = 0.0257(5) kHz, δ_J = 0.0052(3) kHz. A C-C-C-C dihedral angle, ω, of ∼55° has been determined. These values agree well with those obtained from a coupled cluster (CCSD/cc-PVTZ) calculation. The rotational and centrifugal distortion constants for iso-C₄F₁₀ and iso-C₄HF₉ are: B_o = 816.4519(4) MHz, D_J = 0.023(2) kHz, and B_o = 903.6985(25) MHz, D_J = 0.043(4) kHz, respectively. The dipole moment of iso-C₄F₁₀ and iso-C₄HF₉ have been measured and found to be 0.0338(8) and 1.69(9) D, respectively.     

Microwave spectrum of gauche-isopropylphosphine

The microwave spectra of isopropylphosphine has been recorded in the region 12.4–40.0 GHz. Both a- and b-type transitions were observed and assigned. The rigid rotor rotational constants were determined to be A = 7633.34 ± 0.09, B = 4243.36 ± 0.02, and C = 3045.84 ± 0.02 MHz for (CH₃)₂CHPH₂ and A = 7226.47 ± 0.05, B = 4041.06 ± 0.02, and C = 2946.85 ± 0.02 MHz for (CH₃)₂CHPD₂. Dipole moment components of |μ_a| = 1.15 ± 0.01, |μ_b| = 0.43 ± 0.01, |μ_c| = 0.03 ± 0.02 and |μ_t| = 1.23 ± 0.01 were determined from the Stark effect. From the microwave spectra, the Stark effect and the experimental rotational constants, the assigned spectrum has been identified to result from the gauche form and this conformer is believed to be more stable than the other form which is present at room temperature.