Millimeter- and submillimeter-wave spectrum of trans-formaldoxime (CH2NOH)

Abstract

Context. Among the six atoms of N-containing molecules with the formula of CH3NO, only formamide (H2NCHO), the most stable structural isomer, has been detected in the interstellar medium (ISM). The formaldoxime isomer may be formed, for example, by the reaction of formaldehyde (H2CO) or methanimine (H2CNH) and hydroxylamine (H2NOH), which are all detected in the ISM. The lack of high accuracy millimeter- and submillimeter-wave measurements hinders the astronomical search for formaldoxime. Aims. The aim of this work is to provide the direct laboratory measurement of the millimeter- and submillimeter-wave spectrum of trans-formaldoxime. Methods. Formaldoxime was synthesized and its rotational spectrum was recorded at room temperature in a glass flow cell using the millimeter- and submillimeter-wave spectrometer in Lille. The SPFIT program in the CALPGM suite was used to fit the spectrum. Results. Rotational lines of trans-formaldoxime from both the ground state and v12 = 1 vibrational excited states have been measured and assigned from 150 to 660 GHz. Spectroscopic constants were derived to the tenth order using both Watson’s A and S reduction Hamiltonian.