Accurate rotational rest-frequencies of CH2NH at submillimetre wavelengths

Context. Methanimine (CH2NH) has been detected in different astronomical sources, both galactic (as in several "hot cores", the circumstellar enevolope IRC+10216, and the L183 pre-stellar core) and extragalactic, and is considered a pre-biotic interstellar molecule. Its ground-state rotational spectrum has been studied in the laboratory up to 172 GHz, well below the spectral ranges covered by Herschel/HIFI and the ALMA bands 9 and 10. Aims. In this laboratory study, we extend into the submillimetre-wave region the detection of the rotational spectrum of CH2NH in its vibrational ground state. Methods. The investigation was carried out using a source-modulation microwave spectrometer equipped with a cell coupled to a pyrolysis apparatus working at 1150 degrees C. The spectrum was recorded in the frequency range 329-629 GHz, with the detection of 58 transitions. Results. The newly measured transition frequencies, along with those available from previous microwave studies, allow us to determine fairly accurate rotational constants of CH2NH and the complete sets of quartic and sextic centrifugal distortion constants, in addition to two octic constants. Several transitions have an hyperfine structure due to the N-14 nucleus, which was accounted for in the analysis. Conclusions. The determined spectroscopic constants make it possible to build a list of very accurate rest-frequencies for astrophysical purposes in the THz region with 1 sigma uncertainties lower than 0.01 km s(-1) in radial equivalent velocity.