Abstract
The chemisorption of methyl isocyanide by Al2O3‐ supported Rh has been investigated using transmission infrared spectroscopy. Evidence for the absence of dissociation or isomerization upon chemisorption is presented. The identification of various surface binding sites is possible and is in agreement with the site distribution previously demonstrated for such samples using CO. Samples which are exposed to methyl isocyanide following saturation coverage with CO exhibit a 100 cm−1 decrease in the C≡O stretching mode due to the presence of the isocyanide. This shift is interpreted in terms of a σ donor–π acceptor interaction between the isocyanide and CO adsorbates.