Gas-phase spectroscopic identification of the chlorovinyl radical

Fourier transform microwave spectra for two isomers of the chlorine substituted vinyl radical have been observed in the 4-52 GHz frequency region. The observed radicals ((2)A ') have been generated using electric discharges of diluted dichloro derivatives of ethylene as molecular precursors. Fine and hyperfine components observed for each rotational transition are fully assigned in the present study to two isotopologues (Cl-35 and Cl-37), and precise molecular constants are determined for both radicals.