Infrared Absorption Spectra of Carbon Suboxide and Malononitrile in Solid Argon Matrices

The infrared spectra of carbon suboxide and malononitrile isolated in solid argon matrices at low temperatures have been measured in the spectral region 440–4400 cm—1. A detailed comparison with prior spectroscopic data is made. It is shown that the matrix spectra of C3O2 support the linear symmetric model. A comparison of the matrix spectra and vibrational assignments of the three isoelectronic molecules C3O2, CH2(CN)2, and B2O3 is shown to favor a large apex angle in B2O3.