OC [sbnd]Cu [sbnd]I synthesized by reaction of laser-ablated Cu with a CH 3I/CO/Ar mixture and characterised by pulsed-jet, Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy

Abstract

OC Cu I, previously uncharacterised in the gas phase, was generated by the reaction of laser-ablated Cu with methyl iodide contained in a mixture of argon and CO. The Cu I initially formed picks up CO to yield OC Cu I. The rotational spectrum was observed by means of a pulsed-jet, Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. The rotational constants B 0, centrifugal distortion constants D 0, nuclear quadrupole coupling constants and spin-rotation coupling constants for Cu and I were determined for the four isotopomers 16O 12C 63Cu 127I, 16O 12C 65Cu 127I, 18O 12C 63Cu 127I and 16O 13C 63Cu 127I. Geometries of the r 0, r s and r m type are presented and changes in the electronic structure when OC Cu I is formed from Cu I are discussed.