Formation of argon–boron bonds in the reactions of BFn+/2+ cations with neutral argon

Abstract Experimental data on the reactions of argon with BF n + monocations ( n  = 0–3) and BF n 2+ dications ( n  = 1, 2) and dications reveal the formation of the new argon species ArBF 2+ and ArBF 2 + . Theoretical calculations on the stability of these ions using density functional theory confirm the formation of the rare-gas compounds, but their formation is only exothermic for the reaction Ar + BF 2 2+  → ArBF 2+  + F. According to theory, the corresponding neon compounds all involve endothermic pathways and could hence only be formed via involvement of excited states.