Synthesis, high-resolution millimeter-wave spectroscopy, and ab initio calculations of ethylmercury hydride

The millimeter-wave rotational spectrum of an organomercury compound, ethylmercury hydride, has been recorded and assigned for the first time. The spectroscopic study is complemented by quantum chemical calculations taking into account relativistic effects on the mercury atom. The very good agreement between theoretical and experimental molecular parameters validates the chosen ab initio method, in particular its capability to predict accurate quartic centrifugal distortion constants related to this type of compound. Estimations of the nuclear quadrupole coupling constants have less predictive power than those of the structural parameters, but are good enough to satisfy the spectroscopic needs. In addition, the orientation of the axis of the H-Hg-C bonds deduced from the experimental nuclear quadrupole coupling constants compares well with the corresponding ab initio value. From the good agreement between experimental and theoretical results, together with the observation of the six most abundant isotopes of mercury, ethylmercury hydride is unambiguously identified as the product of the chemical reaction described here, and its calculated equilibrium geometry is confirmed.     

Structural studies on ethyl isovalerate by microwave spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations

We observed the microwave spectrum of ethyl isovalerate by molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The rotational and centrifugal distortion constants of the most abundant conformer were determined. Its structure was investigated by comparison of the experimental rotational constants with those obtained by ab initio methods. In a first step, the rotational constants of various conformers were calculated at the MP2/6-311++G** level of theory. Surprisingly, no agreement with the experimental results was found. Therefore, we concluded that in the case of ethyl isovalerate more advanced quantum chemical methods are required to obtain a reliable molecular geometry. Ab initio calculations carried out at MP3/6-311++G**, MP4/6-311++G**, and CCSD/6-311++G** levels and also density functional theory calculations using the B3LYP/6-311++G** method gave similar results for the rotational constants, but they were clearly distinct from those obtained at the MP2/6-311++G** level. With use of these more advanced methods, the rotational constants of the lowest energy conformer were in good agreement with those obtained from the microwave spectrum.     

High-resolution FTIR, microwave, and ab initio investigations of CH2 79BrF: ground, v(5) = 1, and v(6) = 1, 2 state constants

A spectroscopic study of CH279BrF in the infrared and microwave regions has been carried out. The rovibrational spectrum of the nu5 fundamental interacting with 2nu6 has been investigated by high-resolution FTIR spectroscopy. Owing to the weakness of the 2nu6 band, the v6 = 2 state constants have been derived from v6 = 1. For this reason, the rotational spectra of the ground and v6 = 1 states have been observed by means of microwave spectroscopy. Highly accurate ab initio computations have also been performed at the CCSD(T) level of theory in order to support the experimental investigation. As far as the nu5 band is concerned, the analysis of the rovibrational structure led to the identification of more than 3000 transitions, allowing the determination of a set of spectroscopic parameters up to sextic distortion terms and pointing out first-order c-type Coriolis interaction with the v6 = 2 state. With regard to the pure rotational spectra measurements, the assignment of several DeltaJ = 0, +1 transitions allowed the determination of the rotational, all the quartic, and most of the sextic centrifugal distortion constants, as well as the full bromine quadrupole coupling tensor for both the ground and v6 = 1 states.     

Femtosecond degenerate four-wave mixing of cyclopropane

Femtosecond degenerate four-wave mixing (fs-DFWM) is applied for the measurement of rotational constants of cyclopropane (C3H6). The rotational coherence method yields a very accurate B0 = 20,093.322(12) MHz and centrifugal distortion constants D(J) and D(JK). To exploit the full resolution of the fs-DFWM method, the accuracy of the optical delay measurement was increased by nearly two orders of magnitude, including elimination of effects from the refractive index of air. The fs-DFWM molecular constants are comparable in accuracy to those from high-resolution infrared spectroscopy and are only surpassed by those of dipole distortion microwave spectroscopy. In parallel, the equilibrium structure, vibrationally averaged structure parameters and rotational constants were calculated using high-level ab initio methods and large basis sets. Combining these with the results of previous calculations and the measured rotational constants yields r(e)(C-C) = 1.5034(3) A, r(e)(C-H) = 1.0775(5) A, and alpha(e)(H-C-H) = 115.09(10) degrees.     

The microwave spectrum and structure of allyl alcohol

The microwave spectrum of the normal species of the gauche, gauche isomer of allyl alcohol has been reassigned and rotational and centrifugal distortion constants have been determined. Rotational constants of nine deuterated species three carbon-13 species and the oxygen-18 species have also been obtained. These data were used to estimate structural parameters by least-squares fitting of the effective moments of inertia. Good agreement with an earlier electron diffraction and ab initio study was obtained. Unassigned transitions from another isomer were observed, presumably the cis, gauche conformer.     

Fourier transform microwave and millimeter wave spectroscopy of quinazoline, quinoxaline, and phthalazine

The pure rotational spectra of the bicyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycle molecules, quinazoline, quinoxaline, and phthalazine, have been recorded and assigned in the region 13-87 GHz. An analysis, guided by ab initio molecular orbital predictions, of frequency-scanned Stark modulated, jet-cooled millimeter wave absorption spectra (48-87 GHz) yielded a preliminary set of rotational and centrifugal distortion constants. Subsequent spectral analysis at higher resolution was carried out with Fourier transform microwave (FT-MW) spectroscopy (13-18 GHz) of a supersonic rotationally cold molecular beam. The high spectral resolution of the FT-MW instrument provided an improved set of rotational and centrifugal distortion constants together with nitrogen quadrupole coupling constants for all three species. Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP∕6-311+G?? level of theory closely predict rotational constants and are useful in predicting quadrupole coupling constants and dipole moments for such species.     

Isomeric interconversion in the linear Cl(-)-HD anion complex

The rotationally resolved infrared photodissociation spectrum of Cl(-)-HD is measured in the HD stretch region. Two Sigma-Sigma bands are observed, corresponding to transitions from the ground state [the (nuHD = 0, n = 0) level] and first excited intermolecular bend state [the (nuHD = 0, n = 1) level]. The (nuHD = 0, n = 0) and (nuHD = 0, n = 1) states are predominantly associated with the linear Cl-...DH and Cl-...HD geometries, respectively. The spectrum is complicated by perturbative interactions between levels of the (nuHD = 0, n = 0) and (nuHD = 0, n = 1) rotational manifolds and between levels of the (nuHD = 1, n = 0) and (nuHD = 1, n = 1) rotational manifolds. A global fit to the transition frequencies, taking the lower and upper state perturbations into account, yields zero-order rotational and centrifugal distortion constants and allows us to establish that the (nuHD = 0, n = 1, J" = 0) level lies 13.7 cm(-1) above the (nuHD = 0, n = 0, J" = 0) level. Rovibrational energy level calculations performed using a recent ab initio potential energy surface confirm the picture emerging from the experimental data and provide good agreement with measured molecular parameters. The results emphasize the importance of quantum mechanical interconversion between two isomeric structures of a simple anion complex.     

Rotational spectra of rare isotopic species of bromofluoromethane: determination of the equilibrium structure from ab initio calculations and microwave spectroscopy

Guided by theoretical predictions, the rotational spectra of the mono- and bideuterated species of bromofluoromethane, CDH(79)BrF, CDH(81)BrF, CD(2) (79)BrF, and CD(2) (81)BrF, have been recorded for the first time. Assignment of a few hundred rotational transitions led to the accurate determination of the ground-state rotational constants, all of the quartic and most of the sextic centrifugal distortion constants, as well as the full bromine quadrupole-coupling tensor for both (79)Br and (81)Br, in good agreement with corresponding theoretical predictions based on high-level coupled-cluster calculations. The rotational spectra of the (13)C containing species (13)CH(2) (79)BrF and (13)CH(2) (81)BrF have been observed in natural abundance and have been assigned, thus allowing the determination of the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants as well as the bromine quadrupole-coupling tensor. Furthermore, empirical equilibrium structures have been obtained within a least-squares fit procedure using the available experimental ground-state rotational constants for various isotopic species. Vibrational effects have been accounted for in the analysis using vibration-rotation interaction constants derived from anharmonic force fields computed at the second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory as well as coupled-cluster (CC) levels. The empirical equilibrium geometries obtained in this way agree well with the corresponding theoretical predictions obtained from CC calculations [at the CCSD(T) level] after extrapolation to the complete basis set limit and inclusion of core-valence correlation corrections and relativistic effects.     

The microwave spectrum of the 1,1-difluoroprop-2-ynyl radical, F2*C-C[triple bond]CH

The rotational spectrum of the 1,1-difluoroprop-2-ynyl radical, F2*C-C[triple bond]CH, a partially fluorinated variant of the propargyl radical, has been recorded in the ground electronic, 2B1, state using pulsed discharge, pulsed-jet, Fabry-Perot Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Five successive a-type rotational transitions, from N = 1-0 to N = 5-4, and Ka = 0, 1, and 2, were measured between 6.5 and 32.5 GHz with an uncertainty of 5 kHz. The molecular constants, including fine and hyperfine constants, were precisely determined. These constants are compared with our predictions based on a density functional theory level ab initio calculations and with the fine and hyperfine constants of the propargyl radical. The measured electron spin densities suggest that both the difluoropropargyl and the difluoroallenyl resonance forms [F2*C-C[triple bond]CH<-->F2C=C=C*H] make major contributions to the electronic structure of the radical.     

More user-friendly phosphines? Molecular structure of methylphosphine and its adduct with borane, studied by gas-phase electron diffraction and quantum chemical calculations

The molecular structures of methylphosphine (CH(3)PH(2)) and methylphosphine-borane (CH(3)PH(2).BH(3)) have been determined from gas-phase electron diffraction data and rotational constants, employing the SARACEN method. The experimental geometric parameters generally showed a good agreement with those obtained using ab initio calculations and previous microwave spectroscopy studies. In order to assess the accuracy of the calculated structures a range of ab initio methods were used, including the CCSD(T) method, with correlation-consistent basis sets. The structural environment around the phosphorus atom was found to change significantly upon complexation with borane, with the P-C bond length shortening and the bond angles widening.     

Microwave spectrum,dipole moment and AB initio structure of iminopyruvonitrile (CH3C(CN)NH)

The microwave spectrum of iminopyruvonitrile has been investigated from 19 to 51 GHz. Rotational transitions have been assigned for the vibrational ground state and the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants have been adjusted. The electric dipole components μ_a = 1.806(6), μ_b = 0.759(21) and μ_total = 1.958(10) D have been deduced from Stark splittings. Some rotational transitions showed splittings arising from the internal rotation of the methyl group, the barrier to which has been determined to be V₃ = 593.5(89) cm⁻¹. Different conformations have been predicted via ab initio calculations and are compared to the microwave results.     

Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy and Fourier transform microwave-millimeter wave double resonance spectroscopy of the ClOO radical

Pure rotational spectra of the ClOO radical for the (35)Cl and (37)Cl isotopomers have been observed using Fourier transform microwave and Fourier transform microwave-millimeter wave double resonance spectroscopy. The rotational, centrifugal, spin-rotation coupling, and hyperfine coupling constants have been determined by least-squares fits of the observed transition frequencies. The molecular constants indicate that the electronic ground state is 2A". The r(0) structure is determined to be r(0)(ClO)=2.075 A, r(0)(OO)=1.227 A, and theta;(0)(ClOO)=116.4 degrees . Several highly accurate ab initio calculations have also been performed. Some of them turned out to be inaccurate because it is necessary to take into account both static and dynamic electronic correlations. Only multireference (single and double) configuration interaction calculations with large basis sets reproduce the present experimental results. The anharmonic force constants obtained by the ab initio calculations are used to determine the r(e) structure, r(e)(ClO)=2.084(1) A, r(e)(OO)=1.206(2) A, and theta;(e)(ClOO)=115.4(1) degrees . Unique features of the ClOO radical have become clear by the present experiment and the ab initio calculations.     

Rotational spectroscopy and equilibrium structures of S3 and S4

The sulfur molecules thiozone S3 and tetrasulfur S4 have been observed in a supersonic molecular beam in the centimeter-wave band by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy, and in the millimeter- and submillimeter-wave bands in a low-pressure glow discharge. For S3 over 150 rotational transitions between 10 and 458 GHz were measured, and for S4 a comparable number between 6 and 271 GHz. The spectrum of S3 is reproduced to within the measurement uncertainties by an asymmetric top Hamiltonian with three rotational and 12 centrifugal distortion constants; ten distortion constants, but an additional term to account for very small level shifts caused by interchange tunneling, are required to reproduce to comparable accuracy the spectrum of S4. Empirical equilibrium (r(e)(emp)) structures of S3 and S4 were derived from experimental rotational constants of the normal and sulfur-34 species and vibrational corrections from coupled-cluster theory calculations. Quantum chemical calculations show that interchange tunneling occurs because S4 automerizes through a transition state with D2h symmetry which lies about 500 cm(-1) above the two equivalent C2upsilon minima on the potential energy surface.     

Molecular structure of proline

The molecular structures of the two lowest-energy conformers of proline, Pro-I and Pro-II, have been characterized by ab initio electronic structure computations. An extensive MP2/6-31G* quartic force field for Pro-I, containing 62,835 unique elements in the internal coordinate space, was computed to account for anharmonic vibrational effects, including total zero-point contributions to isotopomeric rotational constants. New re and improved r0 least-squares structural refinements were performed to determine the heavy-atom framework of Pro-I, based on experimentally measured (A. Lesarri, S. Mata, E. J. Cocinero, S. Blanco, J. C. Lopez, J. L. Alonso, Angew. Chem. 2002, 114, 4867; Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2002, 41, 4673) rotational constant sets of nine isotopomers and our ab initio data for structural constraints and zero-point vibrational (ZPV) shifts. Without the ab initio constraints, even the extensive set of empirical rotational constants cannot satisfactorily fix the molecular structure of the most stable conformer of proline, a 17-atom molecule with no symmetry. After imposing the ab initio constraints, excellent agreement between theory and experiment is found for the heavy-atom geometric framework, the root-mean-square (rms) residual of the empirical rotational constant fit being cut in half by adding ZPV corrections. The most significant disparity, about 0.07 A, between the empirical and the best ab initio structures, concerns the r(N...H) distance of the intramolecular hydrogen bond. Some of the experimental quartic centrifugal distortion constants assigned to Pro-II have been corrected based on data obtained from a theoretical force field.     

Laboratory detection of the elusive HSCO+ isomer

The rotational spectrum of protonated carbonyl sulfide, HSCO(+), has now been detected in the centimeter-wave band in a molecular beam by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Rotational and centrifugal distortion constants have been determined from transitions in the K(a)=0 ladder of the normal isotopic species, and DSCO(+) and H(34)SCO(+). HSCO(+) is systematically more abundant by a factor of three than HOCS(+), the isomer obtained by attaching the H(+) to the other end of the molecule, which ab initio calculations long predicted to be higher in energy by 4-5 kcalmol. Because HSCO(+) is comparable in polarity to HOCS(+) and is apparently more stable and because OCS is widely distributed in astronomical sources, HSCO(+) is a good candidate for detection with radio telescopes.     

Accurate determination of the structure of cyclooctatetraene by femtosecond rotational coherence spectroscopy and ab initio calculations

We combine femtosecond time-resolved rotational coherence spectroscopy with high-level ab initio theory to obtain accurate structural information for the nonpolar antiaromatic molecule 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene (C8H8, COT) and its perdeuterated isotopomer COT-d8 (C8D8). We measure the rotational B0 and centrifugal distortion constants D(J), D(JK) of the v = 0 states of COT and COT-d8 to high accuracy, e.g. B0 (COT) = 2710.329(56) MHz, as well as B(v) for the v = 1 states nu6, nu11, nu17, nu22, and nu41/nu42 of COT. The experimental rotational constants are compared to those obtained from calculations at the coupled-cluster with single, double, and perturbative triples [CCSD(T)] level. The latter also take into account vibrational averaging effects of the ground and vibrationally excited states. Combining the experimental and calculated rotational constants with the calculated equilibrium bond lengths and angles allows us to determine accurate equilibrium structure parameters, e.g., r(e) (C-C) = 147.0 +/- 0.05 pm, r(e) (C=C) = 133.7 +/- 0.1 pm, and r(e) (C-H) = 107.9 +/- 0.1 pm. The equilibrium C-C and C=C bond lengths of COT are compared to those of 1,3-butadiene. The expected effect of decreased pi-electron delocalization due to the twisting of adjacent C=C double bonds in COT relative to butadiene is observed for the C-C bonds but not for the C=C bonds.     

Higher-order centrifugal distortion effects in ONCl

One hundred and nine new rotational transitions of ONCl in the ground vibrational state have been measured. A centrifugal distortion analysis of these transitions yields the values of six sextic and one octic centrifugal distortion constants. A comparison between experimental and calculated sextic distortion constants is reported.     

Trans-1-chloro-2-fluoroethylene: microwave spectra and anharmonic force field

For the first time the millimeter-wave spectra of the trans-35ClHC=CHF and trans-37ClHC=CHF isotopomers have been observed in natural abundance. Many DeltaJ=0, +/-1 DeltaK(-1)=+1 transitions for 35ClHC=CHF and DeltaJ=0 DeltaK(-1)=+1 transitions for 37ClHC=CHF have been detected and assigned. This allowed us to accurately determine the vibrational ground-state rotational constants, quartic and some sextic centrifugal distortion constants, and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for both 35Cl and 37Cl. The experimental investigation has been supported by highly accurate theoretical predictions. As far as ab initio computations are concerned, the complete set of cubic and quartic force constants have been evaluated by numerical differentiation of the analytic second-order M?ller-Plesset many-body perturbation theory/correlation consistent polarized valence triple zeta second derivatives. The anharmonic part of the force field completes the theoretical study on the equilibrium structure, dipole moment, chlorine quadrupolar tensor, and harmonic force field previously carried out by the same authors.     

Anharmonic rovibrational analysis for disilacyclopropenylidene (Si2CH2)

The global minimum on the Si(2)CH(2) electronic singlet potential energy surface has been theoretically predicted to be a peculiar hydrogen bridged (Si···H···Si) disilacyclopropenylidene structure (Si(2)CH(2)). An accurate quartic force field for Si(2)CH(2) has been determined employing ab initio coupled-cluster theory with single and double excitations and a perturbative treatment for triple excitations [CCSD(T)], in combination with the correlation consistent core-valence quadruple zeta (cc-pCVQZ) basis set. The vibration-rotation coupling constants, equilibrium and zero-point vibration corrected rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, and harmonic and fundamental vibrational frequencies for six isotopologues of Si(2)CH(2) are predicted using vibrational second-order perturbation theory (VPT2). The anharmonic corrections for the vibrational motions involving the H bridged bonds are found to be more than 5% with respect to the corresponding harmonic vibrational frequencies. In this light, an experimental detection and characterization of disilacyclopropenylidene (Si(2)CH(2)) is highly desired.