The Vibrational Spectrum of H ₂ O ₃

Abstract

This report presents positive infrared spectroscopic identification of H2O3, a higher oxide of hydrogen of importance for the understanding of the chain formation ability of atomic oxygen and a possible intermediate in hydrogen oxygen radical chemistry. All fundamental vibrations of H2O3, isolated in an argon matrix, have been observed. In addition, several bands of HDO3, D2O3, and H2(16)O2(18)O have been measured. One particular mode, the antisymetric O-O stretch at 776 cm-1, should be observable even in the presence of high water concentrations.