INELASTIC NEUTRON-SCATTERING SPECTRUM AND NORMAL-COORDINATE ANALYSIS OF THE INSERTION COMPOUND H1.7MOO3

High-resolution, incoherent inelastic neutron scattering (IINS) spectr a have been recorded for the hydrogen insertion compound H1.7MoO3 and the related oxide hydrate alpha-MoO3.H2O. Using the techniques of norm al coordinate analysis, the normal modes of vibration of H1.7MoO3 have been calculated for a structure in which hydrogen is present in the f orm of -OH2 groups. The results demonstrate that the measured IINS spe ctrum is consistent with this structural model and does not provide an y support for alternative modes of attachment of hydrogen. The IINS sp ectrum and structural similarities of alpha-MoO3.H2O are discussed in light of these results. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.