Experimental confirmation of ground state isotopic isomerization from OC⋯HI to OC⋯ID

The ν1 spectra of 16O12C-DI and 16O12C-ID, as well as ν2 of 16O12C-DI, 16O12C-ID have been recorded using a quantum cascade laser pulsed slit supersonic jet spectrometer. Intensity measurements made simultaneously in the same expansion for transitions in ν216O12C-HI: 16O12C-IH and ν116O12C-DI: 16O12C-ID isomers permit determination of the isomerization for the former pair to be +2.8(1.0) and the latter −6.0(1.0) cm−1. These results confirm prediction of ground state deuterium isotopic isomerization made using a generated morphed potential. Further analyses indicate OC.HI is a prototype for complexities associated with isomerization and isotopic effects in excited stretching vibrations.