The 1(01)-0(00), 2(02)-1(01), and 3(03)-2(02) rotational transitions of the
FCO radical are observed at 22.3, 44.5,and 66.8 GHz, respectively, using a
Fourier transform millimeter-wave spectrometer with a pulsed discharge noz
zle. The FCO radical is produced by discharging F2CO diluted in the Ar buff
er gas. Twelve fine and hyperfine components for the three transitions are
observed, and the effective rotational constant, the centrifugal distortion
constant, the spin-rotation constant with its centrifugal correction term,
and three hyperfine constants are determined. Furthermore, the vibrational
satellites for the nu (1) = 1, nu (2) = 1, v(3) = 1, and nu (3) = 2 states
are also observed in the 22.3 GHz region. From the dipolar interaction con
stants, the principal axis of the dipolar interaction tenser is estimated a
nd is discussed in relation to the distribution of the unpaired electron. (
C) 2001 Academic Press.