Infrared matrix isolation study of the reaction of CrCl2O2 with (CH3)(2)O and (CH3)(2)CO

Matrix isolation has been combined with infrared spectroscopy to study the reaction chemistry of CrCl2O2 with (CH3)(2)O and (CH3)(2)CO. Very similar r esults were obtained with twin jet and room temperature merged jet depositi on, indicating that the initial product forms on the surface of the matrix during deposition, not in the deposition lines prior to matrix condensation . The initial product in both systems was identified as the 1:1 complex bet ween the two reagents, with a structure in which the oxygen atom of the bas e donates electron density to the Cr center. A number of perturbed vibratio nal modes of both subunits were observed; for the bases, these modes were v ibrations involving the oxygen atom. Hg are irradiation of the CrCl2O2. O(C H3)(2) complex led to growth of a secondary product that is tentatively ide ntified as Cl2CrO(OCH3)(2). The CrCl2O2. OC(CH3)(2) complex was not photose nsitive, and no rearrangements were observed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V . All rights reserved.