Nuclear Quadrupole Coupling Constants of Chlorine and Microwave Spectrum, Structure, and ab Initio Calculation of 1-Chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane

The microwave spectrum of the ³⁵Cl and ³⁷Cl isotopic species of 1-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethane (HCFC-133b) has been investigated in the frequency region 10 to 50 GHz using a Stark modulation microwave spectrometer. A pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer was also used for the measurement of hyperfine splittings. A least-squares analysis of the observed b-type Q- and R-branch transition frequencies gave rotational and centrifugal distortion constants and components of the chlorine nuclear quadrupole coupling constant tensors in the principal axes system as follows: A=4625.161 (3) MHz, B=2004.127 (2) MHz, C=1875.813 (2) MHz, Δ_J=0.144 (9) kHz, Δ_JK=1.0748 (8) kHz, Δ_K=1.57 (1) kHz, δ_J=0.01376 (4) kHz, δ_K=−0.146 (4) kHz, χ_aa=−57.958 (10) MHz, χ_bb=21.231 (11) MHz, and χ_cc=36.727 (11) MHz for ³⁵ClCF₂CH₂F species, and A=4607.684 (6) MHz, B=1960.565 (2) MHz, C=1834.823 (2) MHz, Δ_J=0.106 (7) kHz, Δ_JK=1.022 (3) kHz, Δ_K=1.48 (1) kHz, δ_J=0.0142 (2) kHz, δ_K=−0.18 (2) kHz, χ_aa=−46.268 (11) MHz, χ_bb=17.319 (13) MHz, and χ_cc=28.950 (13) MHz for ³⁷ClCF₂CH₂F species. The structural parameters are calculated from the observed six rotational constants by assuming the partial structure of ab initio calculation. The electronic properties of the C-Cl bond are evaluated from the observed nuclear quadrupole constants of chlorine. These molecular properties are compared with those of other related molecules.