The ground-state geometry of methyl fluoride

We have calculated the ground-state geometry for methyl fluoride from microwave spectroscopic rotational constants of five different isotopic species. The use of an A₀ value for CH₂DF was especially important in enabling us to define the CH distance within fairly narrow limits. The value so obtained is in good agreement with that predicted on the basis of the CH stretching frequency in CHD₂F, and it is also consistent with the trend of CH distances in other methyl halides.     

Millimeter-wave rotational spectrum and molecular constants of diatomic gallium bromide

Gas-phase spectra of four isotopic species of GaBr have been detected in the millimeter wavelength region. The molecules were produced by a flame reaction of gallium and bromine at 1000° C. From the rotational spectra molecular constants have been determined for ⁶⁹Ga⁷⁹Br,⁶⁹Ga⁸¹Br,⁷¹Ga⁷⁹Br,⁷¹Ga⁸¹Br. The equilibrium internuclear distance is r_e = 2.3524907(82).     

Millimeter-wave rotational spectrum and molecular constants of diatomic gallium iodide

The gas-phase molecular spectrum of Gal has been detected in the millimeter wavelength region. The molecules are produced by vapourising a mixture of gallium and lead iodide into an evaculated cell. Analysis of the observed rotational transitions yields the following molecular parameters for ⁶⁹Ga¹²⁷I: Y₀₁ = 1706.89645(83) MHz, Y₁₁ = −5.68714(53) MHz, Y₂₁ = 6.329(43) kHz, Y₀₂ = −0.472713(60) kHz, Y₁₂ = 0.472(38) Hz, ω_e = 216.38 cm⁻¹, ω_e^x_e= 0.471 cm⁻¹, and for ⁷¹Ga¹²⁷I: y₀₁ = 1675.72004(71) MHz, Y₁₁ = −5.53277(57) MHz, Y₂₁ = 5.995(34) kHz, Y₀₂ = −0.455700(51) kHz, y₁₂ = 0.522(40) Hz, ω_e = 214.37 cm⁻¹, and ω_e^x_e = 0.458 cm⁻¹. The equilibrium internuclear distance obtained for Gal is r_e = 2.574667(12) Å.     

The rotational spectrum of CN-

The rotational spectrum of the molecular negative ion CN(-) has been detected in the laboratory at high resolution. The four lowest transitions were observed in a low pressure glow discharge through C(2)N(2) and N(2). Conclusive evidence for the identification was provided by well-resolved nitrogen quadrupole hyperfine structure in the lowest rotational transition, and a measurable Doppler shift owing to ion drift in the positive column of the discharge. Three spectroscopic constants (B, D, and eQq) reproduce the observed spectrum to within one part in 10(7) or better, allowing the entire rotational spectrum to be calculated well into the far IR to within 1 km s(-1) in equivalent radial velocity. CN(-) is an excellent candidate for astronomical detection, because the CN radical is observed in many galactic molecular sources, the electron binding energy of CN(-) is large, and calculations indicate CN(-) should be detectable in IRC+10216-the carbon star where C(6)H(-) has recently been observed. The fairly high concentration of CN(-) in the discharge implies that other molecular anions containing the nitrile group may be within reach.     

The rotational spectrum and molecular properties of a hydrogen-bonded dimer of phosphine and hydrogen fluoride

⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer spectra have been obtained for Fe(p-CH₃C₆H₄SO₃)₂ between 2.3 and 300 K in zero field, and at 2.3 and 4.2 K in longitudinal applied magnetic fields ranging from 1.1 to 5.6 T. The complex is a fast-relaxing paramagnet under all conditions studied and there is no evidence of antiferromagnetic exchange coupling. The FeO₆ chromophore is distorted by a trigonal elongation and the orbital ground state is the [($\text{2}\text{3}$)^{$\text{1}\text{2}$}|±2〉 ? ($\text{1}\text{3}$)^{$\text{1}\text{2}$}|?1〉] doublet. The temperature dependence of the quadrupole splitting has been analysed via a crystal-field model to provide estimates of the axial field splitting parameter Ds = -93 cm^-1, spin-orbit coupling constant λ = -70 cm^-1, and fine structure constant Dσ = -28 cm^-1. The magnetic properties of the complex are described by treating the ground state as a non-Kramers doublet with fictitious spin ? = $\text{1}\text{2}$. Five separate Mössbauer-Zeeman spectra can be fitted in this spin-hamiltonian approximation with identical values of the g- and A-tensor components, viz. g_⊥ = 1.0, g_u = 9.0; A_⊥ ≈ 2.0 mm s^-1. A_u = -1.79 mm s^-1. The trigonal z axis, the z axis of the electric field gradient tensor, and the easy axis of magnetisation are collinear, and the saturation value of the internal hyperfine field along this axis is +13.0 T.     

The rotational spectrum and structure of HOOOH

Dihydrogen trioxide, HOOOH, which is a species with fundamental importance for understanding the chain formation ability of the oxygen atom, was detected in a supersonic jet by a Fourier transform microwave spectrometer with a pulsed discharge nozzle, together with double resonance and triple resonance techniques. Its precise molecular structure was determined from the experimentally determined rotational constants of HOOOH and its isotopomer, DOOOD. Many of the microwave and millimeter wave transitions can now be accurately predicted, which could be facilitated for remote sensing of the molecule to elucidate its roles in various chemical processes.     

The rotational spectrum of propynyl isocyanide

Propynyl isocyanide, CH₃C₂NC, has been prepared by vacuum pyrolysis of pentacarbonyl-(1,2-dichloropropenyl isocyanide) chromium, (CO)₅Cr–CN–C(Cl)=C(Cl)CH₃, and its ground state millimeter and microwave spectrum has been observed for the first time. r_s structural parameters of this molecule with a C_3v symmetry could be obtained from the rotational constants of several isotopomers: r_(C1–C2)=1.456(2) Å, r_(C2–C3)=1.206(2) Å, r_(C3–N)= 1.316(2) Å, r_(N–C4)= 1.175(2) Å, r_(H–C1)= 1.090(1) Å, >HCC=110.7(4)°. The nitrogen quadrupole coupling constant has been determined to be 878(2) kHz and measurements of the Stark effect allowed to obtain an electric dipole moment of 4.19(3) Debye. The results fit well into a series of related compounds and are in good agreement with data from ab initio calculations.     

The rotational spectrum of bromoacetyl chloride

The rotational spectrum of bromoacetyl chloride, BrCH₂COCl, has been assigned using a pulsed molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. It has been possible to determine the rotational and quartic centrifugal distortion constants of the energetically favoured conformer (anti-periplanar) as well as the complete bromine and chlorine quadrupole coupling tensors including their off diagonal elements for the following isotopomers: ⁷⁹BrCH₂CO³⁵Cl, ⁸¹BrCH₂CO³⁵Cl, ⁷⁹BrCH₂CO³⁷Cl, and ⁸¹BrCH₂CO³⁷Cl. Experimental results are supported by quantum chemical calculations.     

The rotational spectrum of the cyclopentadienylallylnickel complex

The rotational spectrum of cyclopentadienylallylnickel, C₃H₅NiC₅H₅, has been studied using a pulsed molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Twelve a-type transitions were analyzed to obtain rotational and centrifugal distortion constants for the parent C₃H₅⁵⁸NiC₅H₅ complex. The measured rotational constant A = 3107.603(93) MHz is about 160.0 MHz larger than the predicted DFT value, providing evidence for possible fluxional motion in the complex. The large distortion constants, on the order of 100 kHz, provide further evidence for fluxional motion. The experimental constants B = 1302.38(22) and C = 1276.40(15) MHz are in good agreement with the DFT calculated values and confirm the η³-bonding of the allyl ligand to the Ni–C₅H₅ moiety. DFT calculations provide a V₅ barrier for internal rotation about the Ni–C₅H₅ axis of 53 cm⁻¹, with the lowest energy conformation having the central allyl c-atom eclipsed with respect to two C₅H₅ carbon atoms. Several additional rotational lines, possibly those of an exited torsional state, were observed but not assigned.     

The far-infrared rotational spectrum of the CF radical

The rotational spectrum of CF in its ground electronic state was studied around 1000 GHz, using a tunable far-infrared source. Seven transitions were observed originating from the ²Π_1/2 and ²Π_3/2 substates. The hyperfine and Λ-type splittings were resolved. The results were combined with gas-phase electron resonance and infrared diode laser spectra to determine all pertinent molecular constants.     

The millimetre-wave rotational spectrum of tertiary butyl cyanide

The rotational spectrum of tertiary butyl cyanide was studied in the frequency region up to 330 GHz at medium resolution using free-running, frequency-modulated backward wave oscillator sources. For the highest J transitions recorded, the K structure in the ground state was continuously observable up to well beyond K = 40. More than 100 ground-state transition frequencies have been measured, leading to accurate values for the rotational constant and quartic and sextic centrifugal distortion constants.     

The importance of ground-state vibronic mixing in molecular Raman scattering

We consider Albrecht's theory for Raman scattering of fundamentals in the far and pre-resonance regions. Destructive interferences inherent to the A and B terms augment the conventionally suppressed C term dramatically. Raman excitation profiles for the ν₁(a_1g) and ν₆(e_2g fundamentals in benzene can be well fitted with theoretical C-term profiles involving the ¹E_1u(π-π^*) state at 1800 A.     

The rotational spectrum and structure of the phosphine-hydrogen cyanide complex

The rotational spectrum of the weakly bound complex (PH₃, HCN) in its vibrational ground state has been observed by the technique of pulsed-nozzle, Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy. The isotopic species (PH₃, HC¹⁴N), (PH₃, DC¹⁴N) and (PH₃, HC¹⁵N) exhibit spectra of the symmetric-top type from which accurate values of the spectroscopic constants B₀, D_J, D_JK and X_aa(¹⁴N) have been determined. For (PH₃, HC¹⁴N) the appropriate values are: B₀ = 1553.3709(1) MHz, D_J = 3.306(3) kHz, D_JK = 256.9(6) kHz and X_aa(¹⁴N) = ?4.3591(14) MHz. The geometry of the complex established from the spectroscopic constants is one of C_3v symmetry at equilibrium, with the HCN molecule lying along the C₃ axis of PH₃ and oriented so that it forms a hydrogen bond to the P atom. The effective distance from P to the C nucleus is r(P ? C) = 3.913 Å.     

Microwave spectrum, rotational parameters, and DFT geometry calculations for trans- and cis-isomers of 2,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane

The microwave spectrum of 2,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane is studied. The spectrum is identified to have the a and c type rotational transitions of the trans- and cis-isomers of the molecule. The experimental frequencies of the transitions are used to calculate the rotational constants and the quartic centrifugal distortion constants of the isomers. The dipole moments are determined. Quantum chemical calculations are performed by the B3PW91/aug-cc-pVDZ density functional method. The calculated results are compared with the experimental data. The equilibrium geometries of 1,3-dioxane and 2-methyl-, 5-methyl-, and 2,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxanes are compared. It is found that the alkyl substitution leads to a change in the ring geometry     

Microwave spectrum and rotational isomers of epifluorohydrin

The microwave spectra of three rotational isomers of epifluorohydrin are Presented. The ground and 3 excited torsional states of one of the two gauche rotamers (III), and the ground states of the other gauche and cis rotamers (I & II), have been observed. The values of the ground state rotational constants. A, B, and C for rotamers I, II and III are 14 662.8, 3129.4, 2863.3; 10 645.8, 4050.2, 3679.1; and 14 833.1, 3210.2, 2933.9 MHz. The gaseous phase dipole components for the most abundant rotamer (III) are μ_a = 0.99 ± .02, μ_b = 2.90 ± .01 and μ_c = 0.0 ± .3, giving μ = 3.08 ± .02 D.     

The rotational spectrum,nuclear spin—spin coupling,nuclear quadrupole coupling,and molecular structure of KrHF

Rotational spectra have been assigned for the ⁸²Kr, ⁸³Kr, ⁸⁴Kr, and ⁸⁶Kr isotopic species of the KrHF and KrDF van der Waals molecules by using pulsed microwave Fourier transform spectroscopy in a Fabry—Perot cavity with a pulsed supersonic nozzle molecular source. The rotational, centrifugal distortion, nuclear spin—spin, and nuclear quadrupole coupling constants are used to determine the structure and obtain intramolecular potential binding information. The ⁸³Kr nuclear quadrupole coupling constants are 10.28 ± 0.08 MHz and 13.83 ± 0.13 MHz for KrHF and KrDF respectively. The electric field gradient at the krypton nucleus is calculated from the coupling constant and the known nuclear quadrupole moment and explained by Sternheimer shielding and formation of the van der Waals bond. There is a negligible charge transfer in the KrHF bond.     

Internal dynamics features in the free jet rotational spectrum of the acetaldehyde-Kr molecular complex

The structure and the dynamics of internal motions in the complex formed between acetaldehyde and Kr are studied by free jet absorption microwave spectroscopy performed in the range 60-78 GHz. The fourfold structure of each rotational line is evidence of the vibration-rotation coupling between the overall rotation of the complex, a tunneling motion of the Kr atom between two equivalent positions and the internal rotation of the methyl group in the acetaldehyde moiety. The four sets of transitions could be fitted with a coupled Hamiltonian which allows for the Coriolis interaction obtaining the energy separation between the vibrational energy levels related to the tunneling motion, while the observed splittings due to the methyl group internal rotation were analyzed independently with an appropriate model. The potential energy barriers for the tunneling motion and the internal rotation of the methyl group have been calculated and the interaction of the rare gas atom with the acetaldehyde moiety is reflected in the change of the V(3) barrier to internal rotation in going from the molecule to the weakly bound complex.     

The rotational spectrum and geometrical structure of thiozone, S3

The rotational spectrum of thiozone, S3, has been observed for the first time. From the rotational constants of the normal and 34S isotopic species, a precise geometrical structure has been derived: S3 is a bent chain with a bond to the apex S of length 1.917(1) A and an apex angle of 117.36(6) degrees . The derived structural parameters indicate substantial double-bonding character in S3 and sp2 hybridization of the central sulfur atom. Thiozone is an excellent candidate for astronomical detection in the atmosphere of Io, the innermost Galilean moon of Jupiter, and in rich interstellar sources.     

Jet-cooled rotational spectrum of laser-ablated phenylalanine

The rotational spectrum of neutral phenylalanine has been recorded for the first time using laser-ablation molecular-beam Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy (LA-MB-FTMW). Two conformers stabilized by conjugative O-H···N and N-H···π hydrogen bond interactions have been conclusively identified on the basis of experimental values of rotational and (14)N nuclear quadrupole coupling constants. The nonobservation of the rotational spectra of the other low-energy conformers has been attributed to the photofragmentation that takes place in the laser ablation process. Nuclear quadrupole coupling interactions have been used directly to determine the orientation of the amino group and to identify and experimentally characterize the N-H···π interactions.     

Stationarity of electron distribution in ground-state molecular systems

Stationarity of electron probability distribution within the resolution of atomic orbitals is considered involving some concepts from Orbital Communication Theory and the theory of Markov Processes. A new method of evaluating electron conditional probabilities based on natural orbitals is proposed and briefly discussed.