Rotational spectra of Ar2–DCl and Ar3–DCl, and a pseudotriatomic force field for Ar2–H/DX

Abstract
Microwave rotational transitions have been observed for Ar2–D35Cl and Ar3–D35Cl/37Cl. The Cl and D hyperfine interactions have been analyzed and rotational constants determined. The structures of the clusters are similar to those reported earlier for Ar2–HF/Cl and Ar3–HF/Cl. Ar2–D35Cl is a T‐shaped asymmetric top with the DCl along the C2v axis. The A, B, and C rotational constants are 1735.0958(5), 1651.6749(8), and 840.5459(1) MHz, respectively. The four independent centrifugal distortion constants, τaaaa, τbbbb, τaabb, and τabab, are −0.1171(3), −0.0763(2), 0.037 64, and −0.060 88 MHz. The 35Cl quadrupole interaction is anisotropic and slightly Jdependent, with a χaa of −38.184 0(7) and (1/(6)1/2)(χbb−χcc) of −1.3380 MHz for the 101→202 transition. χaa(D) was found to be 111.4 kHz. Ar3–DCl is a symmetric top with the DCl along the C3v axis. B0, DJ, DJK, χaa(35Cl), and χaa (D) for Ar3–D35Cl are 840.2264 MHz, 2.268 and 1.921 kHz, and −39.717(3) and 0.128(4) MHz, respectively. Analysis of the change in B0 with 35Cl/37Cl substitution shows conclusively that the DCl is oriented with the D end closest to the argons. A pseudotriatomic, bent XY2 model is used with the centrifugal distortion constants of Ar2–H/DF and –H/DCl to predict force constants, vibrational frequencies, and inertial defects of the four clusters. The predicted Ar–Ar stretching frequency of 21.8 to 23.0 cm1 in the clusters compares favorably with the 25.7 cm1 experimental value reported for free Ar2.