Notes. The infrared spectra of alkali metal hexafluorouranates(V). An example of dependence of molecular geometry on matrix gas

Abstract

Potassium, rubidium, and caesium hexafluorouranates(V) are vaporised at temperatures of the order of 400 °C. The vapours are co-condensed with argon or nitrogen as matrix gases. Infrared spectra suggest a C_3v symmetry for the species isolated in argon and a C_2v symmetry in nitrogen. In the case of sodium hexafluorouranate(V) the spectra are complicated by decomposition reactions leading to uranium pentafluoride as one of the products.