Microwave spectrum of 2-chloropyridine

The microwave spectrum of 2-chloropyridine, C₅H₄NCl, has been studied in the frequency range from 26.5–40.0 GHz. The spectrum is characterized by strong parallel type transitions of a near-prolate asymmetric top. The assigned transitions have been used to evaluate the ground state rotational constants of the two chlorine isotopes. The rotational constants are (in MHz): A = 5872.52, B = 1637.83, C = 1280.48 for the ³⁵Cl isotopic species and A = 5872.16, B = 1591.76, C = 1252.17 for the ³⁷Cl isotopic species. The small inertial defect indicates the molecule is planar. In addition an excited vibrational state of C₅H₄N³⁵Cl has been observed and analyzed. The chlorine quadrupolar coupling constants were determined for the ground state and are: χ_aa = ?71.9 MHz for ³⁵Cl and χ_aa = ?54.9 MHz for ³⁷Cl. By assuming the pyridine ring structure the CCl bond length is found to be 1.72 Å.