Structure and properties of the argon–ozone van der Waals molecule

Abstract

The Ar–O3 van der Waals complex is produced in a nozzle expansion and studied by radio frequency and microwave molecular beam spectroscopy. The rotational constants are A=12 686, B=1947, C=1716 MHz. Stark effect data produce the following dipole moment components: μa=0.1010, μb=0.0, μc=0.4643 D. These molecular properties are only consistent with a structure in which the Ar atom is 3.42 Å from the center of mass of O3 and the O3 plane is approximately perpendicular to the axis connecting Ar to the O3 center of mass. Large amplitude vibrational motion of O3 within the complex is observed.