IR-SPECTRUM OF H2SO4 SPECIES TRAPPED IN LOW-TEMPERATURE SOLID CO AND IN CO CONTAINING MATRICES

The IR spectrum of the vapors above neat sulfuric acid trapped in CO e nriched argon matrices was studied and compared to their IR spectra in pure CO matrices. We assigned vibrational modes of (OC) . (H2SO4), (O C) . (H2O) . (H2SO4), (OC)(2) . (H2SO4) and (OC) . (SO3) species isola ted in argon matrices in all relevant spectral regions. Bonding betwee n the moieties of the mixed complexes is indicated. These species are formed by surface diffusion within the deposited layer and do not repr esent a vapor phase equilibrium. No spectral evidence was found for an y binary (H2O)(m) . (SO3)(n) or ternary (CO)(l) . (H2O)(m) . (SO3)(n) complexes or of ionic species, to indicate a proton transfer below 30 K between the H2SO4 and H2O moieties in either CO enriched or pure CO matrices.