The Microwave Spectrum and Molecular Structure of the Hydrogen-Bonded Aniline-Methanol Complex

The rotational spectrum of aniline-methanol was investigated in the frequency region 3-19 GHz using a pulsed molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Sixty-three measured a- and b-type transitions show a fine structure due to internal rotation of the methyl group. The resulting A and E lines are additionally split into hyperfine components arising from quadrupole coupling of the (14)N nucleus. The torsional motion of the methyl group is hindered by an effective barrier V(3) of nearly 215 cm(-1), which is almost one-half of the methanol barrier height. The structure of the complex was calculated assuming a common symmetry plane for the monomers. These form a linear N vertical ellipsis H-O hydrogen bond. Its distance was found to be 3.03 Å, which is identical with that of aniline-water. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.