Analyzation of 3,4,5-trifluorophenol using Microwave Spectroscopy

We researched the shape of 3,4,5-trifluorophenol through rotational spectroscopy. Experiments in microwave spectroscopy on this specific molecule have not been done before. We tested our microwave spectrometer with acetone first (a substance with a known rotational spectrum) and made sure that its know spectrum fit the spectrum that we recorded on our own. Then we calculated the shape of 3, 4, 5-trifluorophenol using computer software. We used a chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer to measure the microwave spectrum of the molecule. After that, we compared the calculated spectrum with our experimental spectrum and matched the calculated spectrum to transition lines that were observed to determine the experimental rotational constants. Using the data that we collected, we were able to get a precise and accurate measurement of the shape of 3,4,5-trifluorophenol. This shape is related to how it interacts with other molecules in its environment