High resolution analysis of the ν12 and ν17 fundamental bands of acrolein, CH2CHCHO, in the 600 cm−1 region

Synchrotron radiation from the new Canadian Light Source facility has been used to obtain a high resolution (0.0012 cm−1) absorption spectrum of acrolein vapor in the 550-660 cm−1 region. Almost 2000 transitions have been included in a detailed analysis of the ν12 (∼564 cm−1) and ν17 (∼593 cm−1) fundamental bands which yielded precise values for the band origins, rotational and centrifugal distortion parameters. The analysis included the a- and b-type Coriolis interactions connecting ν12 and ν17, as well as an a-type Coriolis interaction between ν17 and a “dark” perturbing state, identified as 4ν18. We believe that this is the first high resolution infrared study of acrolein.