Knowledge Bank

A Fourier Transform microwave spectrometer coupled to a laser ablation source has been used to obtain the pure rotational spectra of OCAuI and $\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">15</mrow>}$N$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">2</mrow>}$-CuF. Both molecules are generated via the ablation of a metal rod in the presence of a halogen precursor and are stabilized by supersonic expansion. Both spectra are consistent with linear structures. The rotational constants (B$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">0</mrow>}$, D) of OC-AuI have been measured to a high degree of precision permitting a determination of the molecular structure. The nuclear quadrupole coupling constants of the gold and iodine atoms are consistent with trends identified during studies of other OCMX species (M=Cu,Ag,Au; X=F,Cl,Br,I). An interim assignment of the spectrum of $\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">15</mrow>}$N$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">2</mrow>}$-CuF is made on the basis of lines from a single isotopomer. The nuclear quadrupole coupling constant of the copper atom in $\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">15</mrow>}$N$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">2</mrow>}$-CuF is of comparable magnitude to the value obtained in studies of OC-$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">63</mrow>}$CuF. Lines in the pure rotational spectrum of $\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">14</mrow>}$N$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">2</mrow>}$-CuF are also presented.