Nuclear Quadrupole Coupling Constants of Two Chemically Distinct Nitrogen Atoms in 4-Aminobenzonitrile

Abstract

The rotational spectrum of 4-aminobenzonitrile in the gas phase between 2 and 8.5 GHz is reported. Due to the two chemically distinct nitrogen atoms, the observed transitions showed a rich hyperfine structure. From the determination of the nuclear quadrupole coupling constants, information about the electronic environment of these atoms could be inferred. The results are compared to data for related molecules, especially with respect to the absence of dual fluorescence in 4-aminobenzonitrile. In addition, the two-photon ionization spectrum of this molecule was recorded using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer integrated into the setup. This new experimental apparatus is presented here for the first time.