Rotational isomerism in 3-chloro-1-propanol from the microwave spectrum

The rotational spectra of two conformations of 3-chloro-propanol were observed for the four possible $\text{Cl(35)}\text{Cl(37)}$ and $\text{H}\text{D}$ isotopic species. For both conformations the oxygen atom is gauche with respect to the C₂C₃ bond and the hydroxyl hydrogen is trans with respect to the C₂C₁ bond. In one conformation (T) the chlorine is trans with respect to C₁C₂ and it is gauche in the other form (G). The ground state of the G form is about 0.7 kcal/mole more stable than that of the T form. A discussion is given about the failure to observe the H bond species. The most likely reason is the too close approach of Cl and O in this hypothetical configuration. The quadrupole coupling constants were obtained for the G form. The rotational spectra of five excited states of the T form and of one excited state of the G species were measured. Partial r₀ and r_s structures are given.