Rotational Instability and Uncoupling of the Electronic Orbital Angular Momentum from the Axis in Diatomic Molecules

A number of peculiar rotational phenomena exhibited by some molecular spectra are attributed to uncoupling of the electronic orbital angular momentum from the nuclear axis. The details of several diatomic hydride band systems are discussed as examples. This uncoupling would contribute to a condition of rotational ins ability, and is a factor in limiting the amount of rotational energy that these molecules can possess in these electronic states.