Knowledge Bank

The microwave spectrum of ethyl nitrate $(CH3CH2ONO2)$ has been assigned. Two rotamers, with the $-NO2$ and $-CH3$ groups trans and gauche to each other about the C-O bond, have been identified. Satellite spectra of both forms have been assigned. In the trans form all the heavy atoms lie in a plane. The rotational constants (MHz) and dipole moment components (D) are: [FIGURE]