Determination of Electronic Structure of Molecules from Nuclear Quadrupole Effects

Nuclear quadrupole coupling constants in molecules depend on the nuclear quadrupole moments and the variation in electrostatic field at the nucleus. It is shown that this variation of electric field is usually simply related to the molecular electronic structure, being primarily dependent on the way in which valence electrons fill the lowest-energy p-type orbits. Structural information which can consequently be obtained from known quadrupole coupling constants is discussed. Hybridization of the normal covalent bonds of N, Cl, and As with at least 15 percent s character is clearly shown. The alkali halides appear to be almost purely ionic; the quadrupole coupling data allow no more than 3 percent covalent character. In addition to molecular structure, some nuclear quadrupole moments are approximately evaluated by use of the theory developed here.