Reactions of ground state Ti atoms with NO: insertion versus complexation.An IR matrix isolation study

The reaction of ground state Ti atoms with NO during condensation in solid argon has been reinvestigated. The NTiO molecule, already characterized in reactions of laser-ablated Ti, is the only product observed for the reactio n between one Ti atom and one nitric oxide molecule. Isotopic data on nu(1) , nu(2), nu(3), 2 nu(1) and 2 nu(2) have been measured in the mid- and far- infrared regions. This enables a complete harmonic force-field calculation based on a bent geometry, in agreement with the conclusions of the previous study. No evidence is found, however, of a metastable nitrosyl complex int ermediate, as previously proposed. This study confirms that the insertion r eaction proceeds directly from the ground electronic state reagents, with n o or very little activation energy. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.