The potential function and rotation-vibration energy levels of the methyl radical CH3

The equilibrium bond length and the shape of the complete potential energy curve for the methyl radical CH₃ are determined. This is done by fitting the experimental data mainly from C. Yamada, E. Hirota, and K. Kawaguchi, J. Chem. Phys.75, 5256–5264 (1981)] using the nonrigid invertor Hamiltonian and a model anharmonic potential function. As a result the v₂ (out-of-plane bending) dependence of the rotational constants is explained and the v₂ dependence of the spin-rotation coupling constants is modeled. In addition, some of the vibrational energies and rotational, centrifugal distortion, and spin-rotation constants are predicted for the ¹³CH₃, ¹²CD₃, and ¹²CT₃ isotopes.