The Microwave Spectrum, Spin-Rotation Coupling Constants and Structure of Thiocarbonyl Fluoride, $SCF_{2}$, Observed with a Cavity Microwave Fourier Transform Spectrometer

Author Institution: Dept. of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia 2036; Dept. of Chemistry, The University of Kentucky; Dept. of Chemistry, The University of British ColumbiaThe microwave spectra of three isotopic species of the unstable molecule thiocarbonyl fluoride, $SCF_{2}$, have been investigated in the frequency range 6.7--18.4 GHz using a pulsed molecular beam microwave Fourier transform spectrometer. A $^{19}F$ nuclear spin-rotation interaction as well as a rather large direct $^{19}F$ nuclear spin-spin interaction have been observed, and the $^{19}F$ spin-rotation constants have been evaluated. For the $^{13}C$ isotopomer, the splitting patterns due to the two $^{19}F$ nuclei and $^{13}C$ nucleus have been observed but not completely resolved. A ground state average ($r_{2}$) structure and an estimate of the equilibrium ($r_{e}$) structure have been obtained