The microwave spectrum of the ClS2 free radical

Abstract

The rotational spectrum of the ClS2 free radical in the gaseous phase has been observed in the millimetre- and submillimetre-wave regions. The ClS2 radical was generated by a dc glow discharge in either S2Cl2 or SCl2. Both a- and b-type R-branch transitions, most of which were split into two fine structure components, were detected for both of the 35Cl and 37Cl isotopic species in the ground vibronic state. As expected from the small hyperfine interaction constants reported by an electron spin resonance (ESR) study, the hyperfine structure was resolved for none of the transitions observed in the present study. Analysis of the observed transition frequencies yielded rotational and centrifugal distortion constants and also spin–rotation interaction constants with their centrifugal corrections. The spin–rotation interaction constants obtained in the present study were consistent with g values of the ESR study. The rotational constants of the two isotopic species led to the structure parameters r(S—S) = 1.906 (7) Å, r(S—Cl) = 2.071 (5) Å, and θ(SSCl) = 110.3 (4)°. A harmonic force field was derived from the observed centrifugal distortion constants and inertial defects combined with the ν1 frequency reported in literature on electronic spectroscopy. This harmonic force field yielded the ν2 and ν3 frequencies (445 (21) and 213.0 (2) cm−1, respectively, for 35ClS2), which differed considerably from the values reported previously.