The torsional spectrum of CD3CD3

Abstract

The far-infrared spectrum of gaseous CD3CD3 has been measured in the region of the torsional fundamental under relatively large pressure-path length conditions. The observations were made using a modified Bomem spectrometer at a resolution of 0.016 cm−1, an absorption path of 20 m, and a gas temperature and pressure of 168 K and 80 Torr, respectively. The prominent features of the spectrum are the P, Q, and R branches of the torsional fundamental (v4=1←0) and the Q branch of the first torsional overtone (v4=2←1). The P and R branches of the fundamental consist of peaks about 0.2 cm−1 wide due to unresolved structure. In addition, a very high resolution (0.0014 cm−1) spectrum of the lowest lying degenerate fundamental ν9 of CD3CD3 was obtained. From the combined intensity and frequency analyses of the far-infrared spectrum and 442 lower state combination differences in ν9 and its associated hot band ν9+ν4−ν4, the effective leading coefficients Ṽ3=989.10(68) cm−1 and Ṽ6=9.47(29) cm−1 in the Fourier expansion of the hindering potential were determined. The rotational constant B was found to be 13 802.658(39) MHz and four distortion parameters were obtained. The torsional dipole constants μ⊥ and μ∥−μ⊥ were determined to be 7.41(74) and −19.9(2.0) μD, respectively. The experimental values of μ⊥ and μ∥−μ⊥ are shown to be in good agreement with values calculated from theoretical expressions. The shape of the torsional bands can be reproduced in detail with the model adopted here.