Rotational spectra and structure of the hydrogen-bonded complex oxetane center dot center dot center dot HCl

The hydrogen-bonded complex oxetane . . . HCl generated ill a supersonic je t has been characterised by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. For t he observed conformer the spectra of the four isotopic species C3H6O . . .( HCl)-Cl-35, C3H6O . . .(HCl)-Cl-37, C3H6O . . .(DCl)-Cl-35 and C3H6O . . .( DCl)-Cl-37 have been measured. Rotational data are consistent with a C-s sy mmetry for the complex, with HCl lying in the symmetry plane bisector to th e COC angle. The planar configuration of isolated oxetane has been reasonab ly elucidated to remain in the dimer, which implies that no significant cha nge in the potential energy function of ring puckering motion of oxetane oc curs upon complexation. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.