Knowledge Bank

Numerous attempts have been made to use microwave spectroscopy to study unstable molecules such as transient species produced in discharges and species present in high-temperature systems. The experimental difficulties have proved to be very sever, and previous results have been limited to diatomic species. Recently, we have been able to extend these studies to two triatomic molecules, CsOH and $CF2$. The CsOH spectrum was observed in a high-temperature spectrometer and has been partially analyzed. The molecule is found to be linear, but the rotation-vibration interactions in excited states of the bending mode are highly irregular and suggest an unusual potential function. The $CF2$ spectrum was detected in a fast-flow spectrometer; it was produced by discharges through various fluorocarbons. $CF2$ is found to have a singlet ground state with an FCF angle of $104.9\circ$ and a CF distance of $1.30\backslash AA$.