Matrix isolation and mass spectrometric studies on the vaporisation of OsO2F3: characterisation of molecular OsO2F3

Abstract

The vapour species produced by heating solid osmium trifluoride dioxide in vacuo have been isolated in low-temperature matrices and also studied by mass spectrometry. Both studies indicate a complex mode of decomposition, and in addition to the identification of OsOF₄(C_4v) and OsO₃F₂(D_3h) the i.r. spectra show additional features at 907 and 655 cm^–1 which are assigned as v(Os;O) and v(Os–F) respectively in molecular OsO₂F₃. A D_3h structure is proposed for this species by comparison with other heavy-metal oxide fluorides.