2 Matrix isolation

The application of synchrotron radiation and in particular X-ray absorption spectroscopy to matrix isolated species

“…Matrix isolation is an experimental method for stabilising otherwise intractable, unstable and highly reactive species long enough for them to be spectroscopically characterised. The use of solid noble gases was originally pioneered by George Pimentel in the 1950s [1] and has now developed into a mature technique that has been used to study a wide selection of species [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. In essence, it is similar to preparing a KBr disc for IR spectroscopy, except that the KBr is replaced by a cryogenic matrix such as solid neon, argon or nitrogen, and true atomic or molecular dilution is achieved.…”

“…Mixed rare gas systems10.2.1. Kr, Xe and Ar in Neon matrices Kr, Xe and Ar atoms in Ne matrices behaved very differently compared to Kr or Xe atoms in Ar matrices[230].…”

Identification of diborane(4) with bridging B–H–B bonds

“…Since the pioneering work involving absorption spectra of samples at temperatures less than 100 K, 14,15 many free radicals and other unstable compounds dispersed in inert hosts have been detected. [16][17][18][19][20] Investigations of transient boron species using the matrixisolation technique have been reported. [21][22][23][24][25] For instance, reactions of H 2 with boron atoms evaporated with a pulsed laser and condensed in excess argon at 10 K yielded products such as BH, (H 2 )(BH) complex, BH 3 , (H 2 )(BH 3 ) complex, HBBH and B 2 H 6 , identied from infrared absorption spectra.…”

Light induced reactions in cryogenic matrices

“…7 More specific and recent reviews on matrix isolation and its application to the study of ligh induced processes [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] can also be consulted by those which are less familiar with the subject, including a recently published special issue of the prestigious Annual Reports on the Progress of Chemistry, 20 the fifth report in that series dedicated to matrix isolation (after those published in 1985, 1991, 1997 and 2001). Light-induced noble gas chemistry in cryogenic matrices has been addressed by Nemukhin et al 21 and by Khriachtchev, Ra¨sa¨nen and Gerber, 22 who also present therein their perspectives on future developments of this field of research.…”