Microwave Spectrum of Methane-d2, CH2D2

Abstract

Three rotational transitions of methane-d2 were observed by a source-modulation microwave spectrometer. The two differences in the rotational constants, A – C and B – C, were determined to be 37 555.758 and 13 664.280 MHz, respectively, from the observed frequencies of 110 ← 101 and 211 ← 202 after correcting for the centrifugal distortion effects. The centrifugal distortion constants were evaluated by a normal coordinate analysis. The dipole moment of CH2D2 was determined to be 0.014 ± 0.005 D, by comparing the intensity of 211 ← 202 with that of an oxygen line.