Reactions of photogenerated fluorine atoms with molecules trapped in solid argon

Isolated radicals^.NH₂ and radical-molecule complexes^.NH₂−HF, which are products of the reactions of mobile fluorine atoms with NH₃ molecules in solid argon, were identified by EPR spectroscopy. The isotropic HFC constants of the complex (a _N=1.20,a _H=2.40, anda _F=0.70 mT) were determined experimentally. The constant of isotropic HFC with the nucleus of hydrogen atom of the HF molecule is less than 0.1 mT. This assignment was confirmed in the experiments on isotope substitution of atoms (H→D),¹⁴N→¹⁵N) in the NH₃ molecule. According to quantum-chemical calculations, the free complex^.NH₂−HF has a planar structure withC ₂, summetry and a binding energy of 12 kcal mol⁻¹. Optimization of the arrangement of the complex in the crystal showed that its structure is only slightly distorted in the Ar lattice so that the equilibrium configuration is close to that obtained from gas-phase calculations. Different ratios of relative intensities of the proton triplet lines in the EPR spectra of isolated^.NH₂ radicals and^.NH₂−HF complexes were qualitatively explained by different heights of the barriers to rotation of the NH₂ fragment in the Ar lattice.