Infrared spectra of the reaction products of laser-ablated titanium atoms and oxides with carbon monoxide in solid argon

Pulsed laser ablated Ti atoms react readily with CO on condensation with excess argon. Infrared spectra with 13CO and C18O substitution are presented for the Ti(CO)y species (y = 1-4). The carbonyl frequency in TiCO at 1854.4 cm-1 denotes a strong interaction. Titanium oxides are also reactive with CO; the molecule OTiCO, with the carbonyl frequency at 1866.7 cm-1, has been prepared by the TiO + CO and Ti + CO2 reactions. Evidence is also presented for O2Ti(CO)y molecules, which exhibit higher carbonyl frequencies than the analogous Ti(CO)y species.