Two Conformers of N,N-Diethylpropionamide As Observed by Microwave Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemistry

International audienceThe microwave spectra of two conformers of N,N-diethylpropionamide were recorded using a molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer operating in the frequency range 2−26.5 GHz. Hyperfine splittings arising from the 14N quadrupole coupling effect were observed and analyzed. Fits using a rigid rotor model with centrifugal distortion correction and first order perturbation approach for the quadrupole coupling yielded highly accurate molecular parameters and standard deviations within the measurement accuracy for both conformers. Complementary quantum chemical calculations were carried out for a conformational analysis and theoretical values of the spectroscopic constants and the 14N nuclear quadrupole coupling constants