A study of the vapour phase of iodine trifluoride dioxide by mass spectrometry and electric deflection

Abstract

The vapour phase of IF₃O₂ has been studied with the combined techniques of electric deflection and mass spectrometry of a modulated molecular beam. Flight-time distributions show that the molecule is essentially in the dimer form at room temperature. Decomposition of the dimer to monomers has been followed using flight-time distributions. Decomposition becomes significant above ca. 100 °C and is virtually complete by 185 °C. Electricdeflection measurements show that the monomeric form of IF₃O₂ has a polar structure, while the dimer is non-polar and therefore must be symmetric. No evidence for trimers has been found.