Matrix isolation spectroscopic study of the 1:1 complexes of TiF4 with NH3 and (CH3)3N

The matrix isolation technique with twin-jet deposition has been coupled with infrared spectroscopy for the isolation, identification, and characterization of the 1:1 complexes of TiF4 with NH3 and (CH3)(3)N For each of these complexes, two perturbed Ti-F stretching modes were observed to be red-shifted 40-90 cm(-1) from the triply degenerate parent TiF4 mode at 792 cm(-1), indicating a reduction of symmetry in the complex to at least C-3 upsilon. In addition, the symmetric deformation mode of the NH3 subunit shifted 228 cm(-1) to higher energy, indicating that TiF4 is a moderate strength Lewis acid. Merged jet deposition of these reagents led to no observed product in the matrix and no parent TiF4, suggesting that a reaction to form a nonvolatile product in the merged or reaction region had occurred, probably forming the very stable 1:2 complex.