15min:

JULIE M. MICHAUD, STEPHEN A. COOKE AND MICHAEL C. L. GERRY, Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, B.C., Canada V6T 1Z1.

The rotational spectra of KrCuX (X=F,Cl) have been observed using high resolution Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The molecules were made using laser-ablation of a copper rod in the presence of a halide precursor contained in krypton gas. These molecules were stabilized using a supersonic jet into the cavity of the spectrometer. The measurements allowed the determination of rotational constants and centrifugal distortion constants (B₀,D₀) to high precision. The different isotopomers that were observed permitted the determination of the Kr-Cu and Cu-X distances. The nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for Cu, Cl and ⁸³Kr were measured. The results have been supported by ab initio calculations.