A RAIRS STUDY OF HIGHER ALKOXIDE SPECIES ON OXYGEN-MODIFIED CU(100)

The adsorption and reaction of the higher alcohols propan-1-ol propan- 2-ol and 2-methylpropan-2-ol on an oxygen-modified Cu(100) surface hav e been studied with reflection-absorption IR spectroscopy (RAIRS). All three alcohols reacted with the modified surface well below room temp erature, undergoing OH bond scission to form alkoxide surface species. These alkoxides remained stable to well above room temperature, the s pecific desorption/decomposition temperature correlating with the avai lability of 'activated' CH bonds proximal to the CO moiety. By compari son with literature values for the alcohol spectra, assignments of the vibrational modes were made. The metal surface selection rule was app lied and the most Likely surface orientations for each alkoxide were f ound to involve CO bonds perpendicular or near perpendicular to the su rface.