Electronic structure and electronic absorption spectra of molybdenum and tungsten oxotetrachlorides

Electronic absorption spectra of the molecules MoOCl₄ and WOCl₄ have been measured and their electronic structure has been calculated on the basis of the SCF-X-SW theory in the overlapping atomic sphere model. Ionisation potentials and allowed optical transition energies have been found in the transition state approximation. The interpretation of the electronic absorption spectra of gaseous MoOCl₄ and WOCl₄ is given.