The complex OC...ClF identified as a pre-chemical intermediate by rotational spectroscopy of carbon monoxide-chlorine monofluoride mixtures

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0009-2614(95)00769-Z

The ground-state rotational spectra of four isotopomers of the complex OC...ClF have been observed by using a fast-mixing nozzle in a pulsed-nozzle, Fourier-transform microwave spectrometer. The spectrum of the reaction product carbonyl chloride fluoride was detected but its intensity indicated that the extent of the reaction was small. The observed spectroscopic constants B(0), D(J), χ(aa)(Cl) and M(bb)(Cl) were interpretedto show that the pre-chemical complex has the nuclei collinear in the o rder OC...ClF, with r(C...Cl)=2.770(3)? and the intermolecular stretching force constant k(σ)=7.03(3) N m**-1. There is only a minor electric charge redistribution within ClF on complex formation.