The millimeter-wave spectrum of methoxyacetonitrile

This paper is the second as part of a study to elucidate cyano group chemistry in the interstellar medium, wherein we present a characterization of the millimeter-wave spectrum of methoxyacetonitrile. Its structural isomer, 2-cyanoethanol was described in paper Braakman and Blake (submitted for publication) [1]. The rotational spectrum of methoxyacetonitrile shows the characteristics of a well-behaved asymmetric rigid-rotor. We assigned nearly 7400 transitions to 2 conformers and 2 excited states. All were fit to Watson A-reduced Hamiltonians, including only the effects of centrifugal distortion. The lowest energy states are fit close to experimental accuracy, with a gradual decrease in quality for higher energy states. No repulsive interactions are apparent. The measurements and predictions from the fits reported here are being used as a basis for observational studies of this species.     

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.     

The millimeter-wave spectrum of perdeuterated methanol, CD3OD

In order to provide accurate rest frequencies for astronomical searches, the spectrum of perdeuterated methanol, CD₃OD, has been measured in the frequency range 62-233 GHz. A total of 379 lines was measured from rotational states up to J=20 and K=10 within the ground and first excited torsional states (v_t=0 and 1). Using a one-dimensional torsion-rotation Hamiltonian, the lines were fitted to measurement accuracy (<30 kHz).     

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.     

The magnetic hyperfine structure in the rotational spectrum of H2CNH

The hyperfine structure in the ground-state rotational spectrum of methanimine was studied in the frequency range of 64-172 GHz by means of the Lamb-dip technique. This allowed to resolve, in some hyperfine components due to the ¹⁴N nucleus, doublets separated by only some tenth of kHz. We explain the splittings as due to magnetic interactions of the three protons with their molecular environment. The analysis of the experimental spectrum has been guided by quantum-chemical calculations of the hyperfine parameters.     

The rotational spectrum of silacyclohexane

The rotational spectra of the normal and Si-d₂ isotopomers of the chair form of silacyclohexane have been measured by microwave absorption spectroscopy. A partial r₀ structure has been obtained. The rotational spectra of some, the most intense, vibrational satellites have also been measured. They belong to the ring-puckering motions. Their vibrational energies and their shifts of planar moments of inertia with respect to the ground state indicate that the amplitude of these vibrations is larger than in cyclohexane. The dipole moment has also been determined: μ_a = 0.75(2), μ_c = 0.280(2), and μ_tot = 0.80(2) D.     

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.     

Rotational spectrum of trifluoroacetone

The rotational spectra of 5 isotopologues of 1,1,1-trifluoroacetone have been assigned using pulsed-jet Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy. All rotational transitions appear as doublets, due to the internal rotation of the methyl group. Analysis of the tunneling splittings using both the principal axis method (PAM) and the combined axis method (CAM) methods allows to determine accurately the height of the threefold barrier to internal rotation of the methyl group, and its orientation, leading to V₃ = 3.28 and 3.10 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. The r_s geometry of the molecular skeleton, a partial r₀ structure of the molecule and supporting ab initio calculations are also reported.     

The millimetre-wave rotational spectrum of phenylacetylene

The room-temperature rotational spectrum of phenylacetylene (C₆H₅CCH), was studied at frequencies up to 340 GHz. Extensive new measurements, covering rotational transitions with quantum number values up to J=140 and K_a=59, allowed determination of precise spectroscopic constants for the ground state and for the lowest two excited vibrational states, v₂₄=1 and v₃₆=1. The two excited states belong to the lowest B₁ and B₂ symmetry normal modes and their rotational transitions are very strongly perturbed by a-axis Coriolis resonance. A successful fit of the resonance is reported, resulting in and , in good agreement with results of ab initio computations.     

The rotational spectrum of methyl trifluoroacetate

ABSTRACT

The pulsed supersonic jet expansion microwave spectra of the parent and all three ¹³C mono-substituted isotopologues of methyl trifluoroacetate have been measured in the 6.5–18 GHz range. All observed transitions are split into two component lines, due to the internal rotation of the methyl group. The corresponding barrier has been determined to be V ₃ = 4.379(3) kJ/mol. Structural information has been obtained from the 12 available rotational constants.     

Free jet rotational spectrum of the most stable conformer of 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-ethanol

The most stable conformer of chiral 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-1-ethanol is stabilized by a O–H?π interaction and it is at least 1 kcal/mol more stable than the remaining conformers. This is the result of a free jet millimeter–wave absorption spectroscopy investigation of the rotational spectra of the most abundant and O–d isotopic species.     

A molecule with small rotational constants containing an atom with a large nuclear quadrupole moment: The microwave spectrum of trans-1-iodoperfluoropropane

Using pulsed jet chirped-pulse, and cavity-based Fourier transform microwave spectroscopies over 900 transitions have been recorded for the title molecule in the 1–4 GHz and 8–18 GHz regions. The C₁,C₂ and C₃ carbon-13 species have been observed in natural abundance allowing a substitution structure for the CCC backbone to be determined. Nearly all the transitions observed were either a-type R branches or b-type Q branches. No c-type transitions were observed consistent with only the trans conformer being present under our experimental conditions. The χ_aa,χ_bb,χ_cc and χ_ab components of the iodine nuclear quadrupole coupling tensor have been determined. Of note, several forbidden, ΔJ±2 transitions, and one ΔJ±3 transition were observed with quite reasonable intensity. These observations have been rationalized through considerations of near degeneracies between energy levels connected via a large χ_ab value (≈1 GHz).     

The millimeter-wave spectrum of trimethylphosphine

Millimeter-wave rotational spectra have been recorded for trimethylphosphine in its ground and some excited vibrational states. The l-resonance in two of the degenerate vibrations has been analyzed in detail. Internal rotation effects in one of these states are described.     

The millimeter-wave spectrum of chlorosilane

The millimeter-wave spectra of six isotopic species of SiH₃Cl in the ground vibrational states, and of ²⁸SiH₃³⁵Cl in the ν₃ state, have been measured; B_v, D_J, D_JK, and eQq values were obtained. The ν₆ states of ²⁸SiH₃³⁵Cl and ²⁸SiH₃³⁷Cl have also been measured, and B₆, D_J, D_JK, η_J, and |q₆⁺| determined. The l-resonance in this state is very small and A(1 ? ζ) could not be determined. The constants obtained compare well with the less-precise values from high-resolution infrared spectra; the complementary nature of the information from mm-wave and infrared spectroscopy is discussed.     

The Lamb-dip spectrum of phosphine: The nuclear hyperfine structure due to hydrogen and phosphorus

For the first time, the hyperfine structure of the rotational J = 1 ← 0 (K = 0) and J = 2 ← 1 (K = 0, 1) transitions of phosphine has been resolved by using microwave spectroscopy. To this purpose, the Lamb-dip technique has been employed. In addition, the J = 3 ← 2 (K = 0, 1, 2) transition has been recorded at Doppler resolution. The present investigation allowed us to provide accurate values for most of the hyperfine constants as well as ground state rotational parameters.     

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 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.     

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 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.