B-type Transitions Research Articles

Theoretical Calculations, Microwave Spectroscopy, and Ring-Puckering Vibrations of 1,1-Dihalosilacyclopent-2-enes

High level theoretical CCSD/cc-pVTZ computations have been carried out to calculate the structures and ring-puckering potential energy functions (PEFs) for 1,1-difluorosilacyclopent-2-ene (2SiCPF2) and 1,1-dichlorosilacyclopent-2-ene (2SiCPCl2). The structure and PEF for 1,1-dibromosilacyclopent-2-ene (2SiCPBr2) was obtained by ab initio MP2/cc-pVTZ computations. The parent silacyclopent-2-ene (2SiCP) is puckered with a 49 cm-1 barrier to planarity, 2SiCPF2 has a planar ring system, 2SiCPCl2 has a calculated tiny 4 cm-1 barrier but is essentially planar, and the dibromide has a calculated barrier of 36 cm-1. Microwave spectra of seven isotopic species of 2SiCPF2 were recorded on a chirped pulse, Fourier transform microwave (CP-FTMW) spectrometer in the 6-18 GHz region. The a-type and b-type transitions were observed. The rotational constants and three quartic centrifugal distortion constants were determined for the parent, 29Si, 30Si, and all singly-substituted 13C isotopologues in natural abundance. This allowed for the determination of the heavy-atom structure of the ring and showed the ring to be planar. The experimentally determined rotational constants and geometrical parameters agree very well with the theoretical values and confirm the planarity of the five-membered ring. A comparison of the PEFs for the silane and the three dihalides shows the silane to have the stiffest puckering motion and the dibromide to be the least rigid.

Ro-vibrational spectroscopy of 2,5-norbornadiene between 400 and 850 cm−1

Rotationally-resolved infrared absorption spectra of the two lowest-energy fundamental bands for each of the three infrared active symmetry species of 2,5-norbornadiene (C2v point group symmetry; asymmetry parameter κ = −0.2203), ν11 (a1), ν12(a1), ν28(b1), ν29(b1), ν38(b2), and ν39(b2), have been measured, assigned and fit to a semi-rigid rotor Hamiltonian to produce a set of spectroscopic constants for each band. The fit band centers are ν11 (a1), c-type transitions, 728.852357(3) cm−1; ν12 (a1), c-type transitions, 417.31604(1) cm−1; ν28 (b1), a-type transitions, 656.719741(3) cm−1; ν29 (b1), a-type transitions, 500.31425(1) cm−1; ν38 (b2), b-type transitions, 800.82243(2) cm−1; and ν39 (b2), b-type transitions, 539.23110(6) cm−1. Using ground state combination differences from the ν11 and ν28 bands and previously published microwave data, an improved set of ground state spectroscopic constants was fit for the parent isotopologue of the molecule.

GSRB rotation and rovibration intensities for: The bent HOCl molecule, and for: Quantum monodromy in NCNCS

Considerable work has gone into identifying and delineating the effects of quantum monodromy on molecules. Recently this included consideration of transition intensities of the NCNCS molecule using ab initio electric dipole moment functions in the Generalised SemiRigid Bender (GSRB) model [M. Winnewisser et al. PCCP 16, 17373-17407 (2014)]. In that work a discrepancy between the observed and calculated spectra was discovered. The purpose of the present work is to identify the source of that discrepancy - is it due to the physics of monodromy itself or are other issues involved? To investigate this we use the same theoretical approach for the simpler molecule HOCl. This allows us to identify a programming error affecting the b-type rovibrational transitions. We show that the NCNCS spectrum calculated with the corrected GSRB model does reproduce the experimental spectrum for pure rotational transitions within the ν7 large amplitude bending vibrational states, starting from the ground state and progressing through levels at the monodromy energy and beyond, while also reproducing the a-type υ:1←0rovibrational spectrum. However, the discrepancy with regard to the b-type rovibrational transitions remains. We discuss possible reasons for this discrepancy. In the course of this work we obtain a good GSRB model for the bending vibration-rotation levels of the atmospherically important HOCl molecule and its isotopologues. With ab initio calculations of the electric dipole moment function the GSRB calculates the rotation and bending rovibrational spectrum of HOCl in agreement with other determinations and with experiment. Using the physically constrained GSRB model, errors in tabulated transitions (including in the HITRAN database) were easily identified.

Intramolecular hydrogen bond stabilized conformation of 3-aminopropanol

Rotational spectra of the most abundant, three 13C, and the 15N isotopologues of 3-aminopropanol have been recorded in natural abundance using a Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. For the most abundant isotopologue, 54 hyperfine components from the thirteen a- and b-type transitions measured were fit to the quadupole coupling constants, χaa = −2.551(1) MHz, χbb = 1.248(1) MHz. Rotational and centrifugal distortion constants determined from fits of the resulting unsplit line centers to the Watson A-reduction Hamiltonian are A = 7405.303(1) MHz, B = 3868.1925(5) MHz, C = 2829.2615(7) MHz, ΔJ = 1.90(3) kHz, ΔJK = −0.5(3) kHz, ΔK = 2.7(3) kHz, δJ = 0.5(4) kHz, and δK = 4.0(4) kHz. Five to six transitions were measured for each of the 13C and 15N isotopologues and rotational constants were determined by fixing the distortion constants to the values found for the normal isotope. The five sets of moments of inertia were used to determine the 3-aminopropanol substitution structure as well to perform a least-squares fit. The heavy atom coordinates determined from these two methods are in good agreement. The newly measured moments of inertia of the heavy atoms has allowed for a refinement of the structure determined by an earlier microwave study. The conformation of 3-aminopropanol is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond from the alcohol proton to amino nitrogen. The experimental structure is consistent with the lowest energy ab initio [MP2/6-311++G(d,p)] structure.

Pure rotational spectrum of dibenzofuran in range of 2−6 GHz

We report the observation and assignment of the rotational spectra of dibenzofuran measured in the range of 2–6 GHz with a newly constructed broadband chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave (cp-FTMW) spectrometer. An analysis of the microwave spectra led to the assignment of 40 b-type transitions, resulting in the accurate determination of the rotational constants A=2278.19770(38) MHz, B=601.12248(10) MHz, and C=475.753120(98) MHz.

Millimeter-wave spectroscopy of HDC=CH.

Rotational transitions of the mono(β)-deuterated vinyl radical, HDC=CH, produced in a supersonic jet expansion by the ArF excimer laser photolysis, were observed by millimeter-wave spectroscopy. The b-type rotational transitions together with the weak a-type transitions were observed only for the lower component of the tunneling doublet, and no tunneling-rotation transitions connecting the lower and upper components were observed, suggesting that state mixing between the two components is negligibly small. The derived molecular constants such as the A rotational constant, Fermi contact interaction constants, and magnetic dipolar interaction constants indicate that the carrier of the observed spectrum is the trans-form of HDC=CH isomers, where the α-proton is located on the opposite side of the β-deuteron. The present conclusion of the trans-form of HDC=CH was also supported by the ab initio calculation in the CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ level since the trans-form is calculated to be located by 30.04 cm-1 lower than the cis-form due to the difference in the zero point energy. As a result, the tunneling components in the ground state of HDC=CH behave as two different isomers localized at the trans- and cis-wells of the asymmetric double minimum potential. Observed hyperfine constants for HDC=CH were compared with those for H2C=CH to be consistent with each other.

Vinyl cyanide (CH2CHCN) in interstellar space: potential spectral lines for its detection

Vinyl cyanide is a molecule having planar geometry with electric dipole moment components, μa=3.821D and μb=0.687D. Thus, a-type transitions are very strong as compared to b-type transitions, and are considered in this investigation. The rotational levels for a-type transitions, may be divided into two distinct groups: one group having odd values of ka and the other having even values of ka. Using the known values of rotational and centrifugal distortion constant along with the electric dipole moment μa, we have calculated energies of lower 120 rotational levels, having energy up to 92cm−1, for each group, and the probabilities for radiative transitions between the levels. These radiative transition probabilities in conjunction with the scaled values of collisional rate coefficients are used in the Sobolev Large Velocity Gradient analysis. Out of a large number of lines, we have selected the strongest ones. In the low lying levels, besides the 4 observed lines of CH2CHCN, we have discussed about 8 additional transitions, of which 2 showing the phenomenon of anomalous absorption and 6 showing emission feature are found. These lines may play important role for the search of vinyl cyanide in a cosmic object.

Pure rotational spectrum of cis-OSOO

Abstract Pure rotational transitions of cis-OSOO are identified in a discharge plasma of a SO2 and O2 gaseous mixture by Fourier-transform microwave (FTMW) and FTMW-MW double-resonance spectroscopy. Both a- and b-type transitions are observed for this molecule, and the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants are precisely determined from the observed line positions. The inertial defect calculated from the determined rotational constants indicates that the cis-OSOO molecule has a planar equilibrium geometry in the ground vibronic state.

Transfer of radiation in the formic acid: A precursor for amino acids

Formic acid (HCOOH), a simplest carboxylic acid, has great importance as it is a precursor for amino acids (constituents of life). It has two rotameric isomers: trans-HCOOH and cis-HCOOH, each of which lies in a plane due to the delocalization of $$\pi $$ -electrons over the heavy atom chain. In each of the isomers, the electric dipole moment is aligned such that there are both a and b type rotational transitions. Further, the energy levels in each type of transitions can be classified into two groups. Thus, there are 8 groups in which the rotational transitions of formic acid may be classified. The trans-HCOOH is detected in Sgr B2, cold dark cloud L134N, Sgr A, comet Hale-Bopp, Orion KL, W51, IRAS 16293-2422 through its a-type transitions. Because of very small value of b-component of electric dipole moment, the b-type transitions of trans-HCOOH may not be detected. To our knowledge, no transitions of cis-HCOOH are yet detected in the interstellar medium, though a and b components of its electric dipole moment are quite large. Using spectroscopic data of trans-HCOOH and cis-HCOOH, we have calculated energies of 100 rotational levels for each of the 8 groups, and the radiative transition probabilities (Einstein A and B coefficients) for radiative transitions between the levels. Since the rate coefficients for collisional transitions between the levels are not available, by using the scaled values for them along with the radiative transition probabilities, we have solved a set of 100 statistical equilibrium equations coupled with the equations of radiative transfer for each group. We have investigated intensities of 16 observed a-type transitions and 12 b-type transitions of trans-HCOOH. We have also found six transitions, $$1_{1 0} - 1_{1 1}$$ (1.405 GHz), $$2_{1 2} - 3_{0 3}$$ (7.545 GHz), $$3_{1 2} - 3_{0 3}$$ (79.744 GHz), $$3_{2 1} - 3_{1 2}$$ (222.287 GHz), $$1_{1 1} - 2_{0 2}$$ (30.843 GHz) and $$4_{1 3} - 4_{0 4}$$ (82.740 GHz) of cis-HCOOH showing anomalous absorption and nine transitions $$4_{1 4} - 3_{1 3}$$ (85.042 GHz), $$5_{1 5} - 4_{1 4}$$ (106.266 GHz), $$3_{0 3} - 2_{0 2}$$ (65.840 GHz), $$4_{0 4} - 3_{0 3}$$ (87.694 GHz), $$5_{0 5} - 4_{0 4}$$ (109.470 GHz), $$5_{0 5} - 4_{1 4}$$ (40.778 GHz), $$7_{0 7} - 6_{1 6}$$ (90.910 GHz), $$4_{0 4} - 3_{1 3}$$ (16.350 GHz) and $$6_{0 6} - 5_{1 5}$$ (65.661 GHz) of cis-HCOOH showing emission feature. These transitions of cis-HCOOH in addition to those of trans-HCOOH may help in the identification of HCOOH in a cosmic object.

Rotational rest frequencies of the low lying vibrational states of n-propyl cyanide from extensive laboratory measurements up to 506 GHz

Context. The spectra of four low-lying vibrational states of both anti and gauche conformers of normal-propyl cyanide were previously measured and analyzed in two spectral windows between 36 and 127 GHz. All states were then identified in a spectral line survey called Exploring Molecular Complexity with ALMA (EMoCA) toward Sagittarius B2(N) between 84.1 and 114.4 GHz with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in its Cycles 0 and 1. Aims. We wanted to extend the measurements and analysis up to 506 GHz to provide accurate predictions over a much wider range of frequencies, quantum numbers and energies. Methods. We carried out measurements in two additional frequency windows up to 506 GHz. Results. For the gauche conformer, a large number of both a- and b-type transitions were identified. For the anti conformer, transitions were predominantly, but not exclusively, a-type. We hence improved molecular parameters for the ground states of both anti- and gauche-n-propyl cyanide and for excited vibrational states of the gauche conformer (v30 = 1, v29 = 1, v30 = 2, v28 = 1) and anti conformer (v30 = 1, v18 = 1, v30 = 2, v29 = 1) with high order coupling parameters determined between v18 = 1 and v30 = 2. Parameters are published for the first time for v18 = v30 = 1 of the anti conformer and for v29 = v30 = 1 of the gauche conformer. Conclusions. In total 15385 lines have been incorporated in the fits and should allow good predictions for unperturbed lines over the whole operating range of radio-telescopes. Evidence is found for vibrational coupling for some levels above 380 GHz. The coupling between v18 = 1 and v30 = 2 of the anti conformer has been well characterized. An additional list of 740 lines showing potential but as yet unidentified coupling has been provided for astrophysical identification.

Fourier Transform Microwave Spectra of the Nitrogen Molecule-Ethylene Sulfide and Nitrogen Molecule-Dimethyl Sulfide Complexes.

We recorded the rotational spectra of N2-ethylene sulfide (ES) and N2-dimethyl sulfide (DMS) including the 15N2 and 15N14N isotopomers in the frequency range of 5-25 GHz by using a Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The b-type transitions for the ortho and para states of 14N2-ES and 15N2-ES and c-type transitions of 14N2-DMS and 15N2-DMS were observed. The 15N14N-ES and 15N14N-DMS species were found to exist in two isomeric forms: inner (14N15N-ES and 14N15N-DMS) and outer (15N14N-ES and 15N14N-DMS). Neither the -ES nor -DMS complexes showed weak accompanying spectra, which had been observed for N2-ethylene oxide (EO). This is because the potential barriers to internal rotation of ES and DMS are higher than that of EO. The spectra were analyzed by an A-reduced asymmetric-top rotational program with less than 4 kHz standard deviation, except for the 15N14N-DMS and 14N15N-DMS complexes. Rotational, centrifugal distortion, and nuclear electric quadrupole coupling constants were determined by the spectral analysis. The V3 potential barrier to internal rotation of the two equivalent methyl groups of DMS in the ortho and para states of the 15N2-DMS complex was determined to be about 740 cm-1. We performed ab initio calculations in order to complement the information on the intracomplex motions obtained from the experimental spectra.

The microwave spectrum of phenylpropiolic acid

The microwave spectrum for phenylpropiolic acid was measured in the 4.8–10 GHz frequency range using a Flygare-Balle type pulsed-beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. 34 a-type and 11 b-type rotational transitions were measured and assigned for the most abundant isotopologue. Based on the measured transitions, the rotational constants were determined to be A = 3859.823(33) MHz, B = 443.54379(10) MHz, and C = 398.09128(13) MHz. The centrifugal distortion constants were determined to be DJ = 0.00286(66) kHz and DJK = 0.1030(82) kHz. DFT(B3LYP) and MP2 calculations were performed with aug-cc-pVTZ basis set and the calculated rotational constants compare well with experimentally determined values.

Rotational Spectroscopy of p-Toluic Acid and Its 1:1 Complex with Water.

The structure and internal dynamics of p-toluic acid and its 1:1 complex with water were investigated in the gas phase using chirped-pulse and cavity-based Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. One conformer and one isomer were identified for the monomer and monohydrate, respectively. In the monohydrate, water acts as both a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor, participating in a six-membered intermolecular ring with the carboxyl group. Both a- and b-type transitions were observed for the monomer; only a-type transitions were observed for the monohydrate. Rotational transitions of both species show splittings originating from methyl internal rotation, for which the potentials include 3- and 6-fold symmetry terms of similar amplitude. For the monomer, a few b-type transitions are missing, and their intensities were found to be transferred to c-type transitions with common energy levels, which are otherwise forbidden. No splittings attributable to a water internal tunneling motion were observed for the monohydrate. Furthermore, the absence of c-type transitions in the spectrum of the monohydrate, despite the large μc dipole moment component of the equilibrium geometry obtained by ab initio calculations, is consistent with a barrierless wagging motion of the free hydrogen of water, leading to an average μc dipole moment component of zero. These results provide insights regarding the interactions between atmospheric p-toluic acid and water in prenucleation complexes and at the air-water interface of aqueous aerosols, where p-toluic acid may act as a surfactant.

Fourier transformation microwave spectroscopy of the methyl glycolate–H2O complex

The rotational spectrum of one conformer of the methyl glycolate–H2O complex has been measured by means of the pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The observed a- and b-type transitions exhibit doublet splittings due to the internal rotation of the methyl group. On the other hand, most of the c-type transitions exhibit quartet splittings arising from the methyl internal rotation and the inversion motion between two equivalent conformations. The spectrum was analyzed using parameterized expressions of the Hamiltonian matrix elements derived by applying the tunneling matrix formalism. Based on the results obtained from ab initio calculation, the observed complex of methyl glycolate–H2O was assigned to the most stable conformer of the insertion complex, in which a non-planer seven membered-ring structure is formed by the intermolecular hydrogen bonds between methyl glycolate and H2O subunits. The inversion motion observed in the c-type transitions is therefore a kind of ring-inversion motion between two equivalent conformations. Conformational flexibility, which corresponds to the ring-inversion between two equivalent conformations and to the isomerization between two possible conformers of the insertion complex, was investigated with the help of the ab initio calculation.

High resolution quantum cascade laser spectroscopy of the simplest Criegee intermediate, CH2OO, between 1273 cm−1 and 1290 cm−1

The region 1273-1290 cm-1 of the ν4 fundamental of the simplest Criegee intermediate, CH2OO, has been measured using a quantum cascade laser transient absorption spectrometer, which offers greater sensitivity and spectral resolution (<0.004 cm-1) than previous works based on thermal light sources. Gas phase CH2OO was generated from the reaction of CH2I + O2 at 298 K and 4 Torr. The analysis of the absorption spectrum has provided precise values for the vibrational frequency and the rotational constants, with fitting errors of a few MHz. The determined ratios of the rotational constants, A'/A″ = 0.9986, B'/B″ = 0.9974, and C'/C″ = 1.0010, and the relative intensities of the a- and b-type transitions, 90:10, are in good agreement with literature values from a theoretical calculation using the MULTIMODE approach, based on a high-level ab initio potential energy surface. The low-K (=Ka) lines can be fitted extremely well, but rotational perturbations by other vibrational modes disrupt the structure for K = 4 and K ≥ 6. Not only the spectral resolution but also the detection sensitivity of CH2OO IR transitions has been greatly improved in this work, allowing for unambiguous monitoring of CH2OO in kinetic studies at low concentrations.

Infrared observation of a new mixed trimer, CO – (CO2)2

The infrared spectrum of the weakly-bound trimer CO – (CO2)2 is observed in the carbon monoxide CO stretch region. Both 12C16O – (12C16O2)2 and 12C16O – (12C18O2)2 isotopologues are studied. The trimer band which is composed uniquely of b-type transitions and with missing levels establishes the trimer structure as that of a CO2 dimer plus a CO monomer aligned along the dimer C2 symmetry axis. The dimer to monomer center of mass separation is 3.55Å, and the structural parameters within the CO2 dimer subunit are about 3.45Å and 58°. It is not certain if the (CO2)2 remains planar within the trimer.

Conformation and hydrogen bonding in 4-Aminobutanol

Rotational spectra of the most abundant and four 13C isotopomers of 4-aminobutanol have been recorded in natural abundance using a Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. For the most abundant isotopomer, 56 hyperfine components from the fifteen a- and b-type transitions measured were fit to the quadupole coupling constants, χaa = −3.843(3) MHz, χbb = 1.971(3) MHz. Rotational and centrifugal distortion constants determined from fits of the resulting unsplit line centers to the Watson A-reduction Hamiltonian are A = 4484.893(3) MHz, B = 2830.721(1) MHz, C = 1942.9710(3) MHz, ΔJ = 0.98(3) kHz, ΔJK = 1.4(1) kHz, ΔK = − 2.6(5) kHz, δJ = 0.27(1) kHz, and δK = 1.7(1) kHz. Between nine and eleven rotational transitions were measured for the 13C isotopes and rotational constants were determined by fixing the distortion constants to the values found for the normal isotope. The five sets of moments of inertia were used to determine the 4-aminobutanol substitution structure as well to perform a least-squares fit of the lowest energy ab initio structure. The heavy atom coordinates determined from these two methods are in excellent agreement. The conformation of 4-aminobutanol is stabilized by an intramolecular hydrogen bond from the alcohol proton to amino nitrogen with a resulting hydrogen bond distance of 1.891 Å. The experimental structure is consistent with the lowest energy ab initio [MP2/6-311++G(d,p)] structure.

High Resolution Infrared Spectrum of the ν7+ν8 Band of the Trans-C2H2D2 Molecule

High resolution spectrum of the trans-C2H2D2 molecule is analyzed on the basis of the Ground State Combination Difference method in the region 1450–1650 cm–1, in which the hybrid ν7 + ν8 band is located. The analysis is performed in the framework of the model which takes into account the Coriolis interaction with the ν8 + ν10 band. The b-type transitions that in their turn, allow more experimental data on the ν7 + ν8 band to be obtained, are determined for this band for the first time.

Laboratory detection of the rotational-tunnelling spectrum of the hydroxymethyl radical, CH2OH

Context. Of the two structural isomers of CH3O, methoxy is the only radical whose astronomical detection has been reported through the observation of several rotational lines at 2 and 3 mm wavelengths. Although the hydroxymethyl radical, CH2OH, is known to be thermodynamically the most stable (by ~3300 cm-1), it has so far eluded rotational spectroscopy presumably because of its high chemical reactivity. Aims. Recent high-resolution (~10 MHz) sub-Doppler rovibrationally resolved infrared spectra of CH2OH (symmetric CH stretching a-type band) provided accurate ground vibrational state rotational constants, thus reviving the quest for its millimeter-wave spectrum in laboratory and subsequently in space. Methods. The search and assignment of the rotational spectrum of this fundamental species were guided by our quantum chemical calculations and by using rotational constants derived from high-resolution IR data. The hydroxymethyl radical was produced by hydrogen abstraction from methanol by atomic chlorine. Results. Ninety-six b-type rotational transitions between the v = 0 and v = 1 tunnelling sublevels involving 25 fine-structure components of Q branches (with Ka = 1 ← 0) and 4 fine-structure components of R branches (assigned to Ka = 0 ← 1) were measured below 402 GHz. Hyperfine structure alternations due to the two identical methylenic hydrogens were observed and analysed based on the symmetry and parity of the rotational levels. A global fit including infrared and millimeter-wave lines has been conducted using Pickett’s reduced axis system Hamiltonian. The recorded transitions (odd ΔKa) did not allow us to evaluate the Coriolis tunnelling interaction term. The comparison of the experimentally determined constants for both tunnelling levels with their computed values secures the long-awaited first detection of the rotational-tunnelling spectrum of this radical. In particular, a tunnelling rate of 139.73 ± 0.10 MHz (4.6609(32) × 10-3 cm-1) was obtained along with the rotational constants, electron spin-rotation interaction parameters and several hyperfine coupling terms. Conclusions. The laboratory characterization of CH2OH by millimeter-wave spectroscopy now offers the possibility for its astronomical detection for the first time.

Hydration of the simplest α-keto acid: a rotational spectroscopic and ab initio study of the pyruvic acid-water complex.

Intermolecular interactions between pyruvic acid, the simplest α-keto acid, and water are important in bio- and atmospheric chemistry. In this context, the pure rotational spectrum of the pyruvic acid-water complex was measured from 7 to 15 GHz using a cavity-based Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. In the detected isomer, water acts as a hydrogen bond donor and acceptor, bridging the acidic hydrogen and the keto oxygen. Both a- and b-type transitions were observed; however, c-type transitions were not observed, due to vibrational averaging of the effectively barrier-less wagging motion of the free hydrogen of the water subunit, which results in an effective ground state structure with a plane of symmetry. The mass distribution out of the ab-plane, corrected for the out-of-plane hydrogen atoms of the methyl group, confirms that the complex has a plane of symmetry. The observed transitions exhibit splittings due to internal rotations of the water subunit and the methyl group. The proposed internal rotation of water nominally breaks one hydrogen bond, so it is remarkable that the barrier was calculated to be as low as 5.2 kJ mol-1; however, a non-covalent interactions analysis indicates that water rotation has surprisingly little effect on the interactions between the water and pyruvic acid subunits. The barrier to methyl internal rotation was determined to be about 4.6 kJ mol-1 experimentally, significantly higher than that of the pyruvic acid monomer. In general, the structure and dynamics investigated here provide insights into the interactions between pyruvic acid and water that dictate the fate of pyruvic acid in aqueous aerosols and living cells.