title: Infrared spectra of CH(3)-MoH, CH(2)=MoH(2), and CH(triple bond)MoH(3) formed by activation of CH(4) by molybdenum atoms.
abstract: Reaction of laser-ablated Mo atoms with CH(4) in excess argon forms the CH(3)-MoH, CH(2)=MoH(2), and CH(triple bond)MoH(3) molecules, which are identified from infrared spectra by isotopic substitution and density functional theory frequency calculations. These simple methyl, methylidene, and methylidyne molybdenum hydride molecules are reversibly interconverted by alpha-H transfers upon visible and ultraviolet irradiations. The methylidene dihydride CH(2)=MoH(2) exhibits CH(2) and MoH(2) distortion and agostic interaction to a lesser degree than CH(2)=ZrH(2). Molybdenum methylidyne trihydride CH(triple bond)MoH(3) is a stable C(3v) symmetry molecule.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Incheon, 177 Dohwa-dong, Nam-ku, Incheon 402-749, South Korea.
authors.forename: Han-Gook
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Lester
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Andrews