Accurate Geometry and Non-Covalent Interactions in 1-Phenylethanol and Its Monohydrate: A Rotational Study

The pure rotational spectra of 1-phenylethanol and its monohydrate were measured by using a pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. One conformer of the 1-phenylethanol monomer with the trans form was observed in the pulsed jet. The experimental values of rotational constants of ten isotopologues, including eight mono-substituted C-13 and one D isotopologues, allow an accurate structure determination of the skeleton of 1-phenylethanol. For its monohydrate, only one isomer has been observed, of which 1-phenylethanol adopts the trans form and binds with water through an O-H center dot center dot center dot O-w and an O-w-H center dot center dot center dot pi hydrogen bond. Each rotational transition displays a doublet with a relative intensity ratio of 1 : 3, due to a hindered internal rotation of water around its C-2 axis. This study provides the information on accurate geometry of 1-phenylethanol (PE) and large amplitude motion of water in the PE monohydrate.