The Microwave Spectrum of Trifluoromethyl Hypofluorite

Abstract

The microwave spectrum of trifluoromethyl hypofluorite (CF3OF) has been analyzed in the region 8–40 GHz. Only μa R-type transitions were observed despite a careful search and using double-resonance techniques. These determine the following rotational constants: A = 5600 ± 100, B = 3108.13 ± 0.02, C = 3049.25 ± 0.02 MHz. The dipole moments determined from Stark effect measurements are μa = 0.30 ± 0.02, μb = 0.10 ± 0.06, μc = 0 D. The υ = 1 state of the CF3 torsion has also been measured; relative intensity measurements lead to a potential barrier of 3.9 kcal/mol, somewhat higher than the electron diffraction results.