Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol.103, No.21, 9193-9199, 1995
Millimeter-Wave Rotational Spectroscopy of Mgod and Caod (X(2)Sigma(+))
Pure rotational spectra of CaOD and MgOD have been recorded in the range 200-390 GHz using millimeter/sub-mm direct absorption spectroscopy. Transitions arising from the (000), (010), (020), and (100) modes have been measured for the (2) Sigma(+) ground electronic states of these free radicals. The data were analyzed successfully using a linear (2) Sigma(+) model for CaOD; for MgOD, only the (000) and (010) states could be fit with this Hamiltonian. Moreover, the (010) data required the addition of a substantial p(Pi) term to account for contamination of excited (2) Pi electronic states. For both species, the alpha(2) vibration-rotation term was found to be negative, in contrast to MgOH and CaOH, suggesting a less anharmonic contribution to the bending potential in CaOD and MgOD. These measurements also indicate a shorter O-H bond in MgOH than the other alkaline earth hydroxide radicals, which likely results because this species is quasilinear.
Keywords:RESOLUTION LASER SPECTROSCOPY;TRIATOMIC-MOLECULES;RADICAL X2-SIGMA+;FERMI RESONANCE;RENNER-TELLER;SPECTRUM;TRANSITION;SROH;SYSTEM;BAOH