The experimental determination of the torsional barrier and shape for disilane

The torsional spectrum of disilane was recorded for the first time under high-pressure-pathlength conditions and at a spectral resolution of 0.007 cm(-1) using a Bruker IFS-120 HR Fourier transform spectrometer. The spectrum shows six distinct Q branches. The most prominent Q branch is near 130 cm(-1) which is a blend of four components of the torsional fundamental. Of the remaining five, four were assigned to the first torsional hot band (v(4)=2<--1) and one to the second torsional hot band (v(4)=3<--2). Over 350 transitions were identified. An analysis of the torsional fundamental, the first torsional hot band, and the lower state combination differences from frequencies of the vibrational bands nu(9) and nu(9)+nu(4)-nu(4) was made to characterize the torsion-rotation Hamiltonian in the ground vibrational state. The barrier height, barrier shape, and the rotational constant about the Si-Si bond were determined to be 404.344(83) cm(-1), 2.255(65) cm(-1), and 43208(28) MHz, respectively. Comparison of simulated and the experimental spectra yielded (mu||-mu(perpendicular))/mu(perpendicular)= -4(1) for the torsional dipole moments. This ratio compares well with -3.39(6) for ethane. A comparison of molecular parameters obtained here is made with those for methyl silane and ethane.