Infrared spectroscopy of V2+(H2O) complexes

► Vanadium cation complexes with water are produced in a molecular beam by laser vaporization. ► Ions are mass-selected and studied with IR photodissociation spectroscopy. ► O-H stretching frequencies are measured for V(H2O)Arnm+ cations for n = 1-7 and m = 1,2. ► Red-shifted O-H stretching frequencies are compared for complexes as a function of charge. ► The coordination of V2+ is filled with one water and five argon atoms.