Hydrogen Dichloride Radical: Infrared Detection through the Matrix Isolation Technique

Abstract

When hydrogen chloride–chlorine–argon mixtures are passed through a glow discharge and the products are condensed at 14°K, two conspicuous infrared absorptions at 956 and 696 cm⁻¹ result. Concentration dependence of intensities, isotopic labeling, and force‐field calculations lead to assignment of these bands to hydrogen dichloride. The force field calculated supports a linear, centrosymmetric ${\mathrm{(D}}_{\mathrm{\infty h}})$ structure with hydrogen bond strength apparently comparable to or exceeding those attributed to HCl₂⁻ in various crystals.