A Matrix Isolation and Computational Study of Molecular Palladium Fluorides: Does PdF6 Exist?

Palladium atoms generated by thermal evaporation and laser ablation were reacted with and trapped in F2/Ar, F2/Ne, and neat F2 matrices. The products were characterized by electronic absorption and infrared spectroscopy, together with relativistic density functional theory calculations as well as coupled cluster calculations. Vibrational modes at 540 and 617 cm(-1) in argon matrices were assigned to molecular PdF and PdF2, and a band at 692 cm(-1) was assigned to molecular PdF4. A band at 624 cm(-1) can be assigned to either PdF3 or PdF6, with the former preferred from experimental considerations. Although calculations might support the latter assignment, our conclusion is that in these detailed experiments there is no convincing evidence for PdF6.

A combined quantum-chemical and matrix-isolation study on molecular manganese fluorides.

Molecular manganese fluorides were studied using quantum-chemical calculations at DFT and CCSD(T) levels and experimentally by matrix-isolation techniques. They were prepared by co-deposition of IR-laser ablated elemental manganese or manganese trifluoride with F2 in an excess of Ne, Ar, or N2 or with neat F2 at 5-12 K. New IR bands in the Mn-F stretching region are detected and assigned to matrix-isolated molecular MnFx (x = 1-3).

Polyfluorides and Neat Fluorine as Host Material in Matrix-Isolation Experiments.

The use of neat fluorine in matrix isolation is reported, as well as the formation of polyfluoride monoanions under cryogenic conditions. Purification procedures and spectroscopic data of fluorine are described, and matrix shifts of selected molecules and impurities in solid fluorine are compared to those of common matrix gases (Ar, Kr, N2 , Ne). The reaction of neat fluorine and IR-laser ablated metal atoms to yield fluorides of chromium (CrF5 ), palladium (PdF2 ), gold (AuF5 ), and praseodymium (PrF4 ) has been investigated. The fluorides have been characterized in solid fluorine by IR spectroscopy at 5 K. Also the fluorination of Kr and the photo-dismutation of XeO4 have been studied by using IR spectroscopy in neat fluorine. Formation of the [F5 ](-) ion was obtained by IR-laser ablation of platinum in the presence of fluorine and proven in a Ne matrix at 5 K by two characteristic vibrational bands of [F5 ](-) at $\tilde \nu $=850.7 and 1805.0 cm(-1) and its photo-behavior.

Fluorine-Rich Fluorides: New Insights into the Chemistry of Polyfluoride Anions.

Polyfluoride anions have been investigated by matrix-isolation spectroscopy and quantum-chemical methods. For the first time the higher polyfluoride anion [F5 ](-) has been observed under cryogenic conditions in neon matrices at 850 cm(-1) . In addition, a new band for the Cs(+) [F3 ](-) complex in neon is reported.

New evidence in an old case: the question of chromium hexafluoride reinvestigated.

The question of whether or not the chromium hexafluoride molecule has been synthesized and characterized has been widely discussed in the literature and cannot, in spite of many efforts, yet be answered beyond doubt. New matrix-isolation experiments can now show, together with state-of-the-art quantum-chemical calculations, that the compound previously isolated in inert gas matrixes, was CrF5 and not CrF6. New bands in the matrix IR spectra can be assigned to the Cr2F10 dimer, and furthermore evidence was found in the spectra for a photodissociation or reversible excitation of CrF5 under UV irradiation. However, even if CrF6 is not stable at ambient conditions, its formation under high fluorine pressures in autoclave reactions cannot be excluded completely.

Matrix infrared spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations for the coinage-metal fluorides: comparisons of Ar-AuF, Ne-AuF, and Molecules MF2 and MF3.

The reactions of laser-ablated Au, Ag, and Cu atoms with F(2) in excess argon and neon gave new absorptions in the M-F stretching region of their IR spectra, which were assigned to metal-fluoride species. For gold, a Ng-AuF bond was identified in mixed neon/argon samples. However, this bonding was much weaker with AgF and CuF. Molecules MF(2) and MF(3) (M=Au, Ag, Cu) were identified from the isotopic distribution of the Cu and Ag atoms, comparison of the frequencies for three metal fluorides, and theoretical frequency calculations. The AuF(5) molecule was characterized by its strongest stretching mode and theoretical frequency calculations. Additional evidence was observed for the formation of the Au(2) F(6) molecule.

Investigation of gold fluorides and noble gas complexes by matrix-isolation spectroscopy and quantum-chemical calculations.

Noble with a difference: Matrix-isolation experiments and quantum-chemical calculations have led to the characterization of two new compounds, namely first open-shell binary gold fluoride, AuF(2), and a NeAuF complex. Moreover, ArAuF, AuF(3), Au(2)F(6), and monomeric AuF(5) have been produced and identified under cryogenic conditions in neon and argon matrices.