Knowledge Bank

Rotational transitions of an unknown molecular species were observed during the study of the gas phase reaction of ozone with ethylene. With the help of Stark splittings the transitions could be assigned and the rotational constants determined. The search for a molecule showing the observed rotational constants soon led to formic anhydride. This assignment was then verified by comparing the spectrum of a sample prepared directly by & known synthesis. Details of the conformation, the excited vibrational states, and the electric dipole moment will be presented.