NUCLEAR HYPERFINE INTERACTIONS IN THE MICROWAVE-SPECTRUM OF ALUMINUM ISOCYANIDE

The pure rotational spectrum of AINC has been measured between 11.9 an d 24.0 GHz using a pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer . The molecule was produced using a laser ablation source, in which th e ablated Al metal reacted with cyanogen present in the Ar backing gas of the jet. Hyperfine structure due to both the Al-27 and N-14 nuclei has been observed. Nuclear quadrupole coupling constants and nuclear spin-rotation constants have been determined for both nuclei along wit h an Al-N nuclear spin-spin coupling constant. The electronic structur e of AINC has been investigated by estimating the degree of sp-hybridi sation of the Al and N bonding orbitals. Comparisons have been made to similar linear metal isocyanide and aluminium halide species. (C) 199 7 Elsevier Science B.V.