The spectrum and structure of the free BH 2 radical

Abstract

A new absorption spectrum has been found in the flash photolysis of H 3 BCO which, from its structure and the observed isotope shifts can be unambiguously assigned to the free BH 2 radical. The spectrum represents a transition similar to those previously observed in NH 2 and CH 2 . The molecule is linear in the excited state but bent (with an angle of 131°) in the ground state. Molecular constants and geometrical data are evaluated. The electronic transition is 2 B 1 ( II u ) – 2 A 1 and fits well with expectation from the Walsh diagram for X H 2 molecules.