Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic investigation of the coordination chemistry and reactivity of OVF3

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with infrared spectroscopy to identify and characterize the product of the codeposition of OVF₃ with NH₃ and with a series of nitrogen and oxygen donor bases into argon matrices at 14 K. This codeposition led to the formation of the isolated 1:1 complexes between OVF₃ and these bases. Each complex was characterized spectroscopically, including strong shifts to the V–F stretching modes, and a lesser shift to the V=O stretching mode. Numerous perturbed vibrational modes of the base subunits were noted, including a strong, 230 cm⁻¹ blue shift to the symmetric bending mode of NH₃. The magnitudes of these shifts indicate that OVF₃ is a moderate strength Lewis acid. However, in contrast to analogous reactions with OVCl₃, no further thermal or photochemical transformations of the complex occurred. Theoretical calculations were also carried out in support of the experimental work.