The microwave spectrum of cyanophosphine, H2PCN

The rotational spectra of cyanophosphine, H₂PCN, have been measured between 10 and 42.5 GHz by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, the ¹⁴N quadrupole coupling constant, and the nuclear spin-rotation coupling constants of ³¹P have been determined. Density functional ab initio calculations were performed, and the calculated values of the molecular constants are in excellent agreement with our experimentally determined results. The spectra of three isotopomers were measured, H₂P¹²C¹⁴N, H₂P¹³C¹⁴N, and H₂P¹²C¹⁵N. The derived r₀ structure is quite comparable to the ab initio predicted H₂PCN equilibrium geometry.