The structure and hyperfine constants of HF–Cl2

Abstract

Molecular beam electric resonance studies on two isotopes of HF–Cl₂ have enabled the following spectroscopic constants to be determined: These constants are best interpreted in terms of an equilibrium structure for HF–Cl₂ in which the three heavy atoms form a linear array with an F–Cl bond length of 2.96 Å. The proton is off‐axis with an H–F–Cl angle of 125°. The chlorine quadrupole coupling constants show a charge distortion of the chlorine submolecule. Precise interpretation of eQq is hindered by lack of a value for the coupling constant of free ³⁵Cl₂.