Notes. Structure of chromyl chloride (CrO2Cl2) in a nitrogen matrix and in the solid state as determined by X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Abstract

Chromium K-edge extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data for 1% chromyl chloride (CrO₂Cl₂) in a nitrogen matrix at 10 K have yielded structural data for this molecule, d(Cr–O)= 1.58(2)Å and d(Cr–Cl)= 2.10(3)Å, in good agreement with the vapour-phase electron-diffraction values, confirming the reliability of data obtained from matrix-isolation EXAFS. The EXAFS data from chromyl chloride as a cold solid at 10 and 130 K represent the first solid-state structural determination for this molecule and the refined parameters are essentially identical to those from the matrix sample but with better signal-to-noise statistics.