The rotational spectrum of (O-17)ketene

The rotational spectrum of (H2CCO)-O-17 in the ground vibrational state has been investigated between 20 and 330 GHz. From 82 R-branch transitions a s et of rotational constants and several centrifugal distortion constants cou ld be derived, employing the Watson S-reduction formalism. The obtained rot ational constants in MHz are: A = 282071.6(223), B = 10013.4764(28), C = 96 55.9118(24). The nuclear quadrupole coupling structure of the J ' (K alpha ' Kc) <-- J(K alpha Kc) = 1(01) <-- 0(00) line has been recorded by means o f molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy allowing the dete rmination of the nuclear quadrupole constant chi (alpha alpha) = -1.534(54) MHz (without considering the spin-rotation interaction). A recalculation o f the r(s)-structure has also been carried out, using the constants of the new isotopomer. The result agrees with the values reported by East et al. i n 1995. This is, to our knowledge, the first reported investigation of the (H2CCO)-O-17 rotational spectrum.