The molecular beam spectrum and the structure of the hydrogen fluoride dimer

Abstract

The molecular beam spectrum of the hydrogen fluoride dimer has been investigated in detail. Microwave and radiofrequency transitions of (HF)₂, HFDF, and (DF)₂ are reported for both the K_a =0 and K_a =1 rotational levels. The results provide information on the structure of the dimers and on the nature of the intermolecular potential energy surface. The average F–F distance is shown to be approximately 2.78 Å but with a probably significantly shorter equilibrium distance. The nonhydrogen bonded hydrogen atom is bent 63°±6° from the F–F axis. In addition, analysis of the perpendicular electric dipole moment indicates a nonlinear hydrogen bond. The large centrifugal distortion effects and the unusual quantum mechanical tunneling provide a crude model for the potential surface associated with the hydrogen bond; the effective bond stretching force constant is (1.36±0.03)×10⁴ dyn cm⁻¹.