Millimeter wave measurement and assignment of the rotational spectrum of aniline

Previous work involving the rotational spectrum of aniline was limited to the lower frequencies of 8-40 GHz with very few lines being assigned. This work extends the earlier studies. Here we present a much more extensive measurement and assignment of the rotational spectrum of aniline in the frequency range of 75-110 GHz. The observed frequencies have been assigned to the ground (0⁺), first (0⁻), and second excited (1⁺) states in the inversion vibration. 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.     

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.     

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.     

The rotational spectra of the υ8 = υ9 = 1 and υ6 = υ7 = 1 interacting vibrational states of nitric acid (HNO3)

The analysis of the rotational spectrum of HNO₃ has been extended to include the υ₈ = υ₉ = 1 state at 1205.7 cm⁻¹ and the υ₆ = υ₇ = 1 state at 1223.4 cm⁻¹. Based on 78-519 GHz data, the assignments in the 8¹9¹ vibrational state have been significantly expanded from the previously reported microwave measurements [T.M. Goyette, F.C. De Lucia, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 139 (1990) 241-243]. A new microwave analysis is also reported for the 6¹7¹ vibrational state. A simultaneous analysis takes into account the localized ΔK_a = ±2 Fermi resonances between the vibrational states, describes the torsional splitting of 3.3 and 1.4 MHz for the 8¹9¹ and 6¹7¹ states respectively, and fits to experimental accuracy over 1500 rotational transition frequencies that extend up to J = 59. Infrared energy levels [A. Perrin, J.-M. Flaud, F. Keller, A. Goldman, R. D. Blatherwick, F. J. Murcray, C. P. Rinsland, J. Mol. Spectrosc. 194 (1999) 113-123] were also included in the analysis and fit to experimental accuracy. Measurement of strongly perturbed transitions in each vibrational state provide a determination of the band origin difference of 17.733184(17) cm⁻¹. The rotational constants agree well with those predicted by vibrational-rotational constants of the fundamental modes. Furthermore, the analysis will provide a very accurate simulation of the infrared spectrum of HNO₃ in the 8.3 μm region.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

Centrifugal distortion analysis of the millimeter-wave spectrum of 2-fluorobenzonitrile and ab initio DFT calculations

The ground state (ν = 0) rotational spectrum of 2-fluorobenzonitrile has been reinvestigated in the frequency range 40.0-99.0 GHz. The millimeter-wave spectrometer used is a source-modulated system combined with a free space glass cell. Millimeter-wave radiation has been produced using a Gunn diode and frequency doubler combination. High J and K₋₁ (J ? 49 and K₋₁ ? 18) transitions have been measured and accurate rotational and centrifugal distortion constants have been determined. Finally, the experimental values were compared with the corresponding values calculated at the HF/DFT-B3PW91/6-31g(d,p) level of theory. A very good agreement has been found.     

Millimeter-wave spectroscopy of the internal rotation hot band (j=2-1) of the Ar-HCN complex

Millimeter-wave absorption spectroscopy combined with a pulsed jet expansion technique was applied to measure the internal rotation j=2-1 hot band of the Ar-HCN complex in the frequency region of 147-287 GHz. In total 153 rovibrational lines, split into hyperfine components due to the nitrogen nucleus, were assigned to the Σ₂-Σ₁, Σ₂-Π₁, Π₂-Σ₁, Π₂-Π₁, Δ₂-Σ₁, and Δ₂-Π₁ subbands. A set of molecular constants for the Σ₂, Π₂, and Δ₂ internal rotation substates, including subband origins, rotational constants, nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, and Coriolis interaction constants, was determined. The internal rotation energy for the Σ₂ state, 412.8949 GHz, is higher than those for the Π₂ and Δ₂ states, 392.3974 and 355.9570 GHz, by 20.498 and 56.938 GHz, respectively, in contrast to the Σ₁ state located by 17.094 GHz lower than the Π₁ state, the anisotropy of potential energy surface affecting the j=2 and j=1 states differently. The rotational and quadrupole coupling constants in the j=2 excited state are quite different from those in the ground state, indicating drastic change in the average structure in the j=2 state from the ground state. The determined molecular constants were compared with those calculated from the potential energy surface computed at the CCSD(T) level.     

Millimeter and submillimeter-wave spectroscopy of silicon difluoride

The rotational spectra of ²⁸SiF₂, ²⁹SiF₂, and ³⁰SiF₂ in their ground vibrational states, as well as those of ²⁸SiF₂ in the v₁ = 1, v₂ = 1, v₃ = 1, and v₂ = 2 excited states have been studied in selected frequency regions between 80 and 700 GHz. Transitions involving a large range of quantum numbers have been observed, so that precise rotational and quartic centrifugal distortion constants could be determined for each of the spectra investigated. In addition, the complete set of sextic distortion constants was also obtained for the most abundant isotopomer in its ground vibrational state. The quadratic and cubic force constants of silicon difluoride have been refined by a least-squares procedure using a larger and more precise set of data.     

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.     

Ground state rotational spectrum of nitrogen trifluoride: The K = 3 splittings of NF3 and NF3

The ground state rotational spectrum of the ¹⁴NF₃ and ¹⁵NF₃ isotopic species of nitrogen fluoride has been observed in the ∼450-810 GHz frequency range. This investigation allowed us to improve the rotational parameters for both isotopologues. In particular, for the first time the K = 3 line splitting parameter and the sextic centrifugal distortion constants have been determined for ¹⁵NF₃.     

The millimeter wave rotational spectrum of pyruvic acid

The rotational spectrum of pyruvic acid has been investigated for the first time in the millimeter-wave region, at 160-314 GHz, and also in supersonic expansion, at 10-17.4 GHz. The analysis of the broadband spectra recorded in this work was carried out with the newly developed AABS software package for Assignment and Analysis of Broadband Spectra, and precise spectroscopic constants are reported for the ground state, the first excited state of the low-frequency skeletal torsional mode ν₂₄, and the first excited state of the methyl torsional mode ν₂₃. Limited results have also been obtained for several higher excited states. The dataset for the ground state currently exceeds 1500 lines and for both the A and E internal rotor sublevels spans the complete range of values of K_a at the mid values of J for the measured transitions. The results were analysed with three freely available computer programs employing different strategies for dealing with internal rotation and a comparative discussion of their merits is made.     

High-resolution infrared measurements on HSOH: Analysis of the OH fundamental vibrational mode

High-resolution infrared measurements of the OH-stretching mode of oxadisulfane, HSOH, at 3625 cm⁻¹ have been recorded using a Bruker IFS 120 HR Fourier transform spectrometer. More than 1300 lines have been assigned to the ν(OH) fundamental vibration mode, which is a hybrid band showing a c-type perpendicular band and an a-type parallel band spectrum of an asymmetric rotor molecule. The splitting due to the torsional-tunneling has not been observed in this band. The band center position at 3625.59260(20) cm⁻¹ as well as rotational and centrifugal distortion constants for the ν(OH) vibrational excited state have been obtained from a least-squares fit analysis of a semirigid rotor. In addition the α_OH experimental vibration-rotation correction terms of the OH-stretching mode have been derived and compared to values used in an earlier semi-empirical calculation of the HSOH structure. All data are in very good agreement with high level ab initio calculations and confirm the assignment of an earlier matrix isolation spectrum at 3608 cm⁻¹ to the ν(OH) fundamental mode.     

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.     

Diode laser spectroscopy of the ν7a band of fluorobenzene

The diode laser absorption infrared spectrum of fluorobenzene has been recorded near 1230 cm⁻¹ after cooling the molecules in a supersonic pulsed jet. Spectral lines have been assigned to the ν_7a fundamental band. Transitions of J between 32 and 49 have been recorded, that show characteristic line groupings in the P branch. Analysis of the spectrum gives the vibrational band origin and rotational and centrifugal distortion constants of the molecule in the ν_7a = 1 state.     

Millimeterwave rotational spectrum and internal rotation in o-chlorotoluene

The millimeterwave rotational spectrum of o-chlorotoluene is investigated in the frequency region 150-250 GHz. Many rotational lines show splitting due to internal rotation of the methyl group. The analysis of the internal rotation splitting allows us to determine with precision the potential barrier to internal rotation of the methyl group. However, it is found that the moment of inertia of the methyl top is probably much smaller than usually assumed, which significantly affects the value of the barrier. Accurate centrifugal distortion constants are obtained for the ground states of ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl isotopologues as well as for an excited vibrational state.