Infra-Red and Ultraviolet Spectra of Sulphur Monoxide

Abstract

The infra‐red spectrum of sulphur monoxide, prepared by the method of Schenk, has been examined between 400 cm−1 and 2000 cm−1. Bands were observed at 679 cm−1 and 1165 cm−1. The ultraviolet absorption band system discovered by Schenk in the region 3500A to 2500A has been obtained under high resolution (21‐ft. grating). A very sharp predissociation occurs at 31,702 cm−1 leading to an upper value for a dissociation limit of 91 kcal. mole−1. A ground state vibration frequency of 679 cm−1 was deduced from a partial analysis of the electronic absorption band system. It has been shown that the molecule cannot be diatomic SO, but probably has the formula S2O2, as suggested by Kondrat'eva and Kondrat'ev. The spectroscopic evidence supports the structure S=S S=O S=O.