Formation and characterization of the (eta2-N2)Sc(H)OH and (eta1-NN)xSc(H)OH (x = 1, 2) complexes in solid argon.

Hydrido scandium hydroxide dinitrogen complexes, (η2-N2)Sc(H)OH and (η1-NN)xSc(H)OH (x = 1, 2), have been prepared by the reactions of laser-ablated scandium atoms with H2O/N2 mixtures in solid argon. The end-on bonded (η1-NN)xSc(H)OH (x = 1, 2) complexes were formed spontaneously on annealing, whereas the side-bonded (η2-N2)Sc(H)OH complex was generated on broad-band irradiation. These complexes were characterized by infrared absorption spectroscopy as well as density functional theoretical calculations.