The Infra-Red Absorption Spectrum of Boron Trifluoride

Abstract

The infra-red absorption spectrum of BF3 has been studied under high resolution from 400 cm—1 to 3000 cm—1. The active fundamentals v2, v3 and v4 and the overtone 2v3 have been observed. The parallel fundamental v2 has been partially resolved and the value of the moment of inertia A found to be 79×10—40 g cm2. The B–F distance is 1.29×10—8 cm. The isotope effect due to the two isotopes of boron was observed in all bands. The appearance of the unresolved bands v4 and 2v3 is shown to be greatly influenced by the interaction between vibration and rotation.