Pauzat F, Ellinger Y, McLean A D
Molecular Research Institute, Palo Alto, USA.
Astrophys J. 1991 Mar 1;369:L13-6. doi: 10.1086/185948.
Rotational constants and dipole moments for linear-chain radicals CnCH and CnN are estimated using a combination of ab initio molecular orbital calculations and observed data on the starting members of the series. CnCH with n = 0-5 have been observed by radioastronomy in carbon-rich interstellar clouds; higher members of the series have 2 pi ground states with large dipole moments and are strong candidates for observation. CN and C3N have also been observed by radioastronomy; higher members of the series, with the possible exception of C5N, have 2 pi ground states with near-zero dipole moments making their interstellar detection hopeless under present observational conditions. C5N can be a strong candidate only if it has a 2 sigma ground state, and our best computations so far indicate that this is not the case.
