Gas phase dihydrogen bonded phenol-borane-trimethylamine complex

Spectroscopic investigation of a dihydrogen bonded complex between phenol a nd borane-trimethylamine is reported here. Laser-induced fluorescence excit ation, fluorescence detected infrared, and infrared-ultraviolet hole-burnin g spectroscopic studies were carried out in supersonic jets to investigate the complex formation between phenol and borane-trimethylamine. The redshif t in the electronic transition and the low-frequency shift of the O-H stret ching vibration established the proton donating ability of phenol in the co mplex. The experimental results together with the ab initio quantum mechani cal calculations affirmed the formation of the dihydrogen bond in the compl ex. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.