SUPERHYPERFINE INTERACTIONS IN XE-NO2

Microwave spectra of the Xe-129 and Xe-131 isotopes of Xe-NO2 have bee n recorded using a Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Intermole cular superhyperfine interactions were observed between the Xe nuclear magnetic moment and the unpaired electron on the NO2 radical. These w ere analysed in terms of a Fermi contact contribution (due to a non-ze ro electron spin density at the xenon nucleus), a dipole-dipole contri bution and an electric quadrupole term (for the Xe-131 isotope only). All these terms are a sensitive probe of distortions to electronic wav efunctions due to intermolecular forces. (C) 1998 Published by Elsevie r Science B.V.