Electronic spectra of intermediate charge transfer complexes of CrO2Cl2 in argon matrices

The matrix isolation technique has been combined with UV/Visible spectroscopy to characterize electronic transitions in 1:1 complexes of CrO2Cl2 with a series of lone pair electron donors. Following twin jet deposition with NH3, (CH3)2O and (CH3)2CO, new absorptions were observed near bands of parent CrO2Cl2. These are assigned to intramolecular electronic absorptions of the CrCl2O2 chromophore. Weak, diffuse absorptions were observed with PH3, indicative of a very weak interaction in the 1:1 complex. The reaction between OVCl3 and NH3 was also investigated, and resulted in unstructured absorptions at 582 and 473 nm. These have been assigned to LMCT transitions. Theoretical DFT calculations support the identification of these molecular complexes.