Germane (GeH4) was deposited in matrices of argon and nitrogen (N2) at 12 K with simultaneous vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photolysis, producing transient species (unstable molecules) studied using infrared spectroscopy. Based on previous literature research, VUV photolysis of germane in an argon matrix produced fragments of the formula GeHx (x = 1, 2, 3). Based on previous work with silane (SiH4) from our group, VUV photolysis of germane in a nitrogen matrix was expected to produce fragments of the formula GeHxN2 (x = 1, 2, 3), but instead produced fragments of the formula GeHx in a nitrogen matrix. Theoretical calculations were performed using the Gaussian 03W computational chemistry program for each observed fragment, using density functional theory with the B3LYP functional and the aug-cc-pVDZ basis set. The theoretical calculations elucidated probable structures of the observed fragments, as well as simulated infrared spectra of each fragment. These simulated infrared spectra were compared with the experimental spectra to help assign observed infrared peaks to specific fragments.

Vacuum ultraviolet photolysis matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy of GeH4 in argon and nitrogen atrices

249th National Meeting (2015)

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