The infrared spectrum of matrix-isolated uranium oxide vapor species

Abstract The mid-infrared spectra of UO 2 and UO 3 formed by vaporization of UO 2± x and trapped in argon matrices have been obtained. A study of the spectra of the normal 16 O and isotopically substituted 18 O species as a function of temperature and composition of the condensed uranium oxide has led to the following assignments for the 16 O species: UO 2 (ν 3 ) = 776.1 cm −1 , UO 3 (ν 3 ) = 852.5 cm −1 , UO 3 (ν 1 ) = 745.6 cm −1 . On the basis of the isotopic data, a bond angle for UO 2 of 180 + 0 − 10° and a value of UO 2 (ν 1 ) of 765.3 cm −1 have been calculated.