2017A&A...601A...2P

Context. A recently published astronomical detection of all three doubly ¹³C-substituted ethyl cyanides toward Sgr B2(N2) motivated us to investigate triple ¹³C isotopic species that are expected to be also present in the ISM.
Aims. We aim to present an experimental study of the rotational spectrum of triple ¹³C-substituted ethyl cyanide, ¹³CH₃¹³CH₂¹³CN, in the frequency range 150-990GHz. We want to use the determined spectroscopic parameters for searching for ¹³CH₃¹³CH₂¹³CN in ALMA data. The main objective of this work is to provide accurate frequency predictions to search for this molecule in the Galactic center source Sagittarius B2(N) and to facilitate its detection in space.
Methods. The laboratory rotational spectrum of ¹³CH₃¹³CH₂¹³CN has been recorded with the Lille's fast DDS solid-state spectrometer between 150GHz and 990GHz.
Results. More than 4000 rotational transitions were identified in the laboratory. The quantum numbers reach J=115 and K_a=39. Watson's Hamiltonian in the A and S reductions were used to analyze the spectra. Accurate spectroscopic parameters were determined. The rotational spectra of the ¹³C containing species CH₃CH₂CN have been assigned, thus allowing the determination of the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants