Observation and Characterization of the Hg-O Diatomic Molecule: A Matrix-Isolation and Quantum-Chemical Investigation.

ABSTRACT: Mercuric oxide is a well-known and stable solid, but the diatomic molecule Hg-O is very fragile and does not survive detection in the gas phase. However, laser ablation of Hg atoms from a dental amalgam alloy target into argon or neon containing about 0.3 % of ¹⁶ O₂ or of ¹⁸ O₂ during their condensation into a cryogenic matrix at 4 K allows the formation of O atoms which react on annealing to make ozone and new IR absorptions in solid argon at 521.2 cm^-1 for Hg-¹⁶ O or at 496.4 cm^-1 for Hg-¹⁸ O with the oxygen isotopic frequency ratio 521.2/496.4=1.0499. Solid neon gives a 529.0 cm^-1 absorption with a small 7.8 cm^-1 blue shift. CCSD(T) calculations found 594 cm^-1 for Hg<

SUBMITTER: Andrews LS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10107950 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature