Direct infrared observation of hydrogen chloride anions in solid argon

Abstract

To facilitate direct spectroscopic observation of hydrogen chloride anions (HCl-), electron bombardment of CH3Cl diluted in excess Ar during matrix deposition was used to generate this anion. Subsequent characterization were performed by IR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. Moreover the band intensity of HCl fi decays slowly when the matrix sample is maintained in the dark for a prolonged time. High-level ab inito calculation suggested that HCl fi is only weakly bound. Atom-in-molecule charge analysis indicated that both atoms of HCl fi are negatively charged and the Cl atom is hypervalent. Published by AIP Publishing.