15min:

MASARU FUKUSHIMA AND MICHAEL C. L. GERRY, Department of Chemistry, The University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z1.

We have observed AlSH and AlSD for the first time using the technique of Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. AlSH (AlSD) was produced in supersonic free jet expansions by reaction of H₂S (D₂S) with laser ablated Al atoms. The spectral search was guided by an ab initio computional prediction performed prior to the experiments. The lowest frequency rotational transition, 1₀₁ - 0₀₀, was measured and the hyperfine structure due to the nuclear spin of ²⁷Al was analyzed. By comparing the obtained rotational constant, \frac12(B+C), with the computational prediction, it was concluded that AlSH has a bent structure with a bond angle close to 90^\circ. Using the nuclear electric quadrupole and nuclear spin-rotation coupling constants obtained, the electronic structure of AlSH was investigated.