Deformation of sulfur hexafluoride and floppiness of trifluoromethyl sulfur pentafluoride

International audienceWith recent advances in space exploration and atmospheric chemistry there is an increased need for more spectroscopic tools to allow the of study complex species. One such tool is the theory of frame transformation of coupled rotor systems. In this article, the theory of frame transformation along with the concept of rotational energy surface is used to study the symmetry that occurs in trifluoromethyl sulfur pentafluoride due to the internal rotation of the CF3 radical and, more generally, to the extent of floppiness of SF5CF3. Other lower symmetries when a CF4 molecule is stuck on the various symmetry axes of an SF6 molecule are also discussed