Infrared and Raman Spectra, Force Constants, and the Structures of Some Polyhalide Ions: ICl2−, ICl4−, BrCl2−, and Br3−

The infrared and Raman spectra for the polyhalide ions (ICl2−, ICl4−, BrCl2−, and Br3−) are presented. From these data, the X—Y stretching force constant fr, the interaction force constants frr between bond stretching coordinates at 180° to each other, and the interaction force constant frr′ for bond stretching coordinates at an angle of 90° (for ICl4−) have been calculated. The values of fr for the trihalide ions are roughly one-half the values for the free halogens, and the values of the interaction force constants frr are very large (approximately 35% the value of the stretching constant fr). These rather unusual force constants have been interpreted in terms of the description of the bonding in these ions using p orbitals, which was first suggested by Pimentel. In fact, these results offer rather strong support for the recent evidence from nuclear quadrupole coupling constant measurements of Cornwell and Yamasaki favoring this structure. Attention is drawn to the qualitative similarity between these force constants and those for the HF2− ion.