Infrared spectrum and structure of the gold dihydroxide molecule

Abstract

Reactions of laser-ablated gold atoms with H₂O₂ and H₂ + O₂ mixtures give four new infrared absorptions, which match the four most intense vibrational frequencies calculated for Au(OH)₂ using density functional theory; the calculations find a C_2h structure and substantial covalent bonding character for the Au(OH)₂ molecule, which is probably due to the high electron affinity of gold.