Vibrational Spectra of Orthorhombic Metaboric Acid

Abstract

Infrared absorption spectra have been obtained in the 430 to 4000 cm—1 region for B3O3(OH)3, B310O3(OH)3, and B3O3(OD)3, as polycrystalline mulls and, in the case of B3O3(OH)3, as a single crystal section. A partial Raman spectrum has been obtained for B3O3(OH)3 in the polycrystalline form. The spectral data have been interpreted in terms of the vibrations of the B3O3(O—)3 unit, with the D3h symmetry of the unit perturbed by the crystal's potential field, plus the motions of the hydrogen atoms. The latter are regarded as those of an infinite chain which has a factor group isomorphic with the point group D2h.