Rotational spectroscopy of ClZnCH3 (X1A1): Gas-phase synthesis and characterization of a monomeric Grignard-type reagent

- First gas-phase spectroscopic study of a monomeric Grignard-type reagent, ClZnCH3.
- Synthetic evidence that ClZnCH3 forms by zinc insertion into the ClC bond.
- Estimate of the ionic character of the ZnCl bond from the chlorine quadrupole structure.
- Determination of the basic molecular structure of ClZnCH3 as a benchmark for theory.
- ZnCl bond length established for comparison with crystal structures.