Knowledge Bank

The ZnOH radical (X$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">2</mrow>}$A) has been observed in the laboratory using mm/sub-mm direct-absorption techniques. This is the first gas-phase laboratory spectroscopic study of this radical. ZnOH was produced by reacting zinc vapor with H$2$O or H$2$O$2$ under DC discharge conditions. Multiple rotational transitions have been recorded in the 400-540 GHz range that clearly exhibit K-ladder structure, indicative of a bent molecule. the pattern has been observed in three zinc isotopologues: $\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">64</mrow>}$ZnOH, $\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">66</mrow>}$ZnOH, and $\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">68</mrow>}$ZnOH. Each line consists of spin-rotation doublets with a splitting of $\sim$180-190 MHz, characteristic of zinc. The data are currently being analyzed and rotational and spin-rotation constants will be presented. The bent geometry suggests predominantly covalent bonding between zinc and oxygen.