Near infrared spectroscopic observation of the linear and cyclic isomers of the hydrogen cyanide trimer

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Abstract
Sub-Doppler resolution infrared spectra have been obtained for both the linear and cyclic conformers of the hydrogen cyanide trimer. In the case of the linear trimer, all three vibrational bands correlating with the C–H stretching fundamental of the hydrogen cyanide monomer (ν1) have been observed. The vibrational predissociation lifetime of the complex is found to be strongly mode specific. For the cyclic trimer, which has only one (doubly degenerate) infrared allowed band associated with the C–H stretch, the rotational structure is characteristic of an oblate planar symmetric top. Molecular constants are reported for both conformers. In addition, several other bands are observed in the spectrum which, although not rotationally resolved, are tentatively assigned to the tetramer.