Infrared Spectrum of the Novel Electron-Deficient BH4 Radical in Solid Neon

Laser-ablated boron reacts with hydrogen on condensation in excess neon to give BH4 radical, BH4- anion, and B2H6 as the major products. Identifications are based on 10B and D substitution, DFT frequency calculations, and comparison to previous spectra. Infrared spectra of BH4 support the C2v structure deduced from previous ESR spectra and theoretical calculations with two normal B-H bonds and two long B-H bonds for this novel electron-deficient radical. NBO analysis suggests that the two long B-H bonds and the H- -H bond are one-electron bonds.