Microwave spectral study of the axial and equatorial conformers of cyanocyclopentane

The microwave spectrum of cyanocyclopentane has been observed and analyzed in the 26.5 to 40.0-GHz frequency region. Rotational transitions were assigned for both an axial and an equatorial conformer. These data and those for the molecule deuterated in the 1-position (1-d-cyanocyclopentane) show that both conformers adopt the C_s envelope structure. For the normal isotopic species the rotational constants have the following values, in megahertz: axial, A = 4297.196, B = 2210.245, C = 2057.205; equatorial, A = 6324.905, B = 1790.937, C = 1497.792. Relative intensity measurements indicate that the ground-state energy difference of the two conformers is 0 ± 200 cal/mole. The low-frequency (pseudorotational) potential surface has been discussed and compared with that of chlorocyclopentane.