MICROWAVE SPECTRUM OF CATECHOL (1,2-DIHYDROXYBENZENE)

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0022-2860(87)80042-X

The microwave spectra of the normal species and three deuterated species of catechol have been observed in the frequency ranges 8-18.6 and 26.5-40 GHz.The inertial defect and the r_s coordinates of the hydrogen obtained from the assigned spectra indicate that the conformation of the molecule is planar with intramolecular hydrogen bonding.A measure of the strength of the hydrogen bond is proposed from the difference of inertial defects in OH and OD species; the strength estimated for catechol almost equals that in 2-chlorophenol.