LA-MB-FTMW spectroscopy of AlCCH and AgCCH with a discharge source

Using a combination of laser ablation and jet cooled FT-MW spectroscopy the pure rotational spectrum of AlCCH and AgCCH in the (X-1 Sigma(+)) electronic ground state has been recorded and assigned in the 6-20 GHz region. A newly constructed ablation-discharge source has been coupled to our LA-MB-FTMW spectrometer and tested as a generator of metal acetylides. Laser ablation of the pure metal has been demonstrated as a very efficient method to create unstable compounds in the gas phase. The high spectral resolution of our instrument provided an accurate set of rotational, quadrupole (only for AlCCH) and centrifugal distortion constants which are reported for the first time. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.