Decrypting the critical point of internal rotation of formaldehyde: A rotational study of the acrolein–formaldehyde complex

The rotational spectrum of an acrolein–formaldehyde complex has been characterized using pulsed jet Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy complemented with quantum chemical calculations. One isomer has been observed in pulsed jets, which is stabilized by a dominant O=C⋯O tetrel bond (n → π* interaction) and a secondary C–H⋯O hydrogen bond. Splittings arising from the internal rotation of formaldehyde around its C 2v axis were also observed, from which its V 2 barrier was evaluated. It seems that when V 2 equals or exceeds 4.61 kJ mol −1 , no splitting of the spectral lines of the rotational spectrum was observed. The nature of the non-covalent interactions of the target complex is elucidated through natural bond orbital analysis. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding on the non-covalent interactions within the dimeric complex formed by two aldehydes.