title: Infrared spectrum of the novel electron-deficient BH(4) radical in solid neon.
abstract: Laser-ablated boron reacts with hydrogen on condensation in excess neon to give BH4 radical, BH4- anion, and B2H6 as the major products. Identifications are based on 10B and D substitution, DFT frequency calculations, and comparison to previous spectra. Infrared spectra of BH4 support the C2v structure deduced from previous ESR spectra and theoretical calculations with two normal B-H bonds and two long B-H bonds for this novel electron-deficient radical. NBO analysis suggests that the two long B-H bonds and the H- -H bond are one-electron bonds.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400319, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4319, USA. lsa@virginia.edu
authors.forename: Lester
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andrews
authors.forename: Xuefeng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang