Precise equilibrium structures of 1H- and 2H-1,2,3-triazoles (C₂H₃N₃) by millimeter-wave spectroscopy

The 1 H- and 2 H-1,2,3-triazoles are isomeric five-membered ring, aromatic heterocycles that may undergo chemical equilibration by virtue of intramolecular hydrogen migration (tautomerization). Using millimeter-wave spectroscopy in the 130–375 GHz frequency range, we measured the spectroscopic constants for thirteen 1 H-1,2,3-triazole and sixteen 2 H-1,2,3-triazole isotopologues. Herein, we provide highly accurate and highly precise semi-experimental equilibrium ( r eSE) structures for the two tautomers based on the spectroscopic constants of each set of isotopologues, together with vibration–rotation interaction and electron-mass distribution corrections calculated using coupled-cluster singles, doubles, and perturbative triples calculations [CCSD(T)/cc-pCVTZ]. The resultant structures are compared with a “best theoretical estimate” (BTE), which has recently been shown to be in exceptional agreement with the semi-experimental equilibrium structures of other aromatic molecules. Bond distances of the 1 H tautomer are determined to <0.0008 Å and bond angles to <0.2°. For the 2 H tautomer, bond angles are also determined to <0.2°, but bond distances are less precise (2σ ≤ 0.0015). Agreement between BTE and r eSE values is discussed.