FOURIER TRANSFORM MICROWAVE SPECTRUM OF AlCCH (X$^{1}\Sigma^+$) AND ITS $^{13}$C/D ISOTOPOLOGUES

Author Institution: Department of Chemistry, Department of Astronomy, and Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721; Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506; Department of Chemistry, Department of Astronomy, and Steward Observatory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721The microwave spectrum of AlCCH (X$^{1}\Sigma^+$) has been measured using Fourier transform microwave (FTMW) techniques in the frequency range of 9-40 GHz. This molecule was created in a supersonic expansion by the reaction of trimethyl aluminum, Al(CH$_3$)$_3$, and acetylene, C$_2$H$_2$, or methane, CH$_4$, diluted in argon carrier gas, using a pulsed nozzle coupled with a dc discharge. Spectra of Al$^{12}$C$^{13}$CH, Al$^{13}$C$^{12}$CH, Al$^{13}$C$^{13}$CH, Al$^{12}$C$^{12}$CD have also been recorded. From these data, rotational constants and Al and D hyperfine parameters have been determined, as well as the r$_m$$^{(1)}$ structure. AlCCH is a model system for heteroatom dicarbide species