Microwave spectrum and structure of CF3OOCl

The microwave spectrum of chloroperoxytrifluoromethane has been recorded from 12.5 to 40.0 GHz. Only a-type transitions were observed. The R-branch assignments have been made for both the CF₃OO³⁵C1 and CF₃OO³⁷Cl species for the ground vibrational state. The rotational constants are: A=4808± 12, B=1318.55±0.02, C=1278.28±0.02 MHz for the ³⁵CI species, and A=4748±300,B=1285.28±0.96, C=1246.80±0.96 MHz for the ³⁷Cl species. From a diagnostic least-squares adjustment to fit the six rotational constants the following structural parameters were obtained: r(C-0)=1.377±0.03 Å, r(O-O)=1.445± 0.049 Å, r(Cl-O)=1.69±0.04 Å, ∠COO=108.1±4.2°, ∠ClOOC=99.5±2.0°, and ∠tilt = 6.0±0.9° with reasonable assumptions for the three other structural parameters. The relatively large uncertainty in these structural parameters results from the large uncertainty in the A rotational constants. These parameters are compared to the corresponding ones in some other peroxides. The quadrupole coupling constants have been obtained and are discussed.