The σ-hole interaction between sulfur hexafluoride and ammonia characterised by broadband rotational spectroscopy.

A weakly-bound complex of SF6 and NH3 is generated within an expanding gas jet and characterised by broadband rotational spectroscopy. The spectra of isotopologues (32) SF6 ⋅⋅⋅(14) NH3 , (32) SF6 ⋅⋅⋅(14) ND3 , (32) SF6 ⋅⋅⋅(15) NH3 and (34) SF6 ⋅⋅⋅(15) NH3 are observed and assigned to determine the spectroscopic parameters. These parameters are consistent with the complex having a C3v symmetric rotor geometry, in which the nitrogen atom of NH3 coordinates to SF6 such that the C3v axis of the NH3 sub-unit is aligned with a local C3 axis on the SF6 sub-unit. The geometry of the complex is rationalized in terms of a σ-hole interaction. The observed spectra and ab initio calculations also reveal evidence of internal dynamics involving internal rotation of one monomer sub-unit with respect to the other about the symmetry axis of the complex.