Microwave and Infrared Spectra,ab InitioCalculation, and Two-Dimensional Model of Amino Group Inversion and Ring Puckering in 2,5-Dihydropyrrole

The microwave spectra of 2,5-dihydropyrrole and 2,5-dihydropyrrole-1-d₁have been measured with Stark and Fourier transform spectrometers in the range 10–39 GHz. Rotational constants, centrifugal distortion constants, and¹⁴N quadrupole coupling constants have been determined from the observed transition frequencies for the ground vibrational state. In addition, two satellites of the normal species and one satellite of the deuterated species have been identified and measured. Splittings of the rotational transitions due to amino group inversion tunneling have been observed and analyzed. Infrared transitions of the amino group inversion mode have been measured in the range 490–720 cm⁻¹. The effect of ring puckering on the inversion motion of the amino group in 2,5-dihydropyrrole and 2,5-dihydropyrrole-N-d₁has been investigated byab initiocalculations and two-dimensional flexible model calculations from the results of microwave and infrared spectroscopy. The observed molecular properties have been reproduced by a model which involved adjustable parameters for the potential energy surface and the structural relaxation of the CCC valence angles. Additional parameters have been transferred from theab initiocalculations. The adjustment of the model to the experimental data has yielded an equatorial equilibrium conformation with slightly larger CCC valence angle than in the most stable axial conformation. Excitation of the first ring puckering state has been found to enhance the inversion tunnel splittings.