Infrared spectra of the (H2O)n–SO2 complexes in argon matrices

The infrared spectra of the (H(2)O)n-SO(2) complexes trapped in argon matrices have been investigated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In addition to the 1:1 and 2:1 complexes, the first spectroscopic evidence for the 3:1 complex has been obtained from the spectra of the SO stretching and the OH stretching modes. The observed frequency shifts in the bonded OH stretching region indicate that the hydrogen bonds of the 2:1 and 3:1 complexes are strengthened compared to that of the 1:1 complex, which suggests the cyclic structure of the complexes.