Electron Spin Resonance Studies of the Reaction of Lithium Atoms with Lewis Bases in Argon Matrices: Formation of Reactive Intermediates. 1. Water and Ammonia

Abstract

The reactions of lithium atoms with water and with ammonia have been studied at liquid helium temperatures using ESR matrix isolation spectroscopy techniques. These experiments indicate the formation of molecular complexes in both reactions, with the stability of the complexes being due to the sharing of the Lewis base lone pair electrons with lithium. The complexes involve the interaction of a lithium atom with a single molecule in the case of NH3 and H2O; in addition, the lithium-water reaction yields a complex involving two H2O molecules. Electronic g values and hyperfine interaction constants are reported for the complexes. The matrix isolated complexes were photolyzed by near-visible light. Possible reaction products of this photolysis are discussed for each complex. © 1978, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.