Infrared Spectrum and Molecular Structure of B2O3

Abstract
The infrared spectra of B2O3 and HBO2 vapors have been re‐examined by means of a long‐path high‐temperature absorption cell. The vibrational spectrum previously assigned to B2O3 now appears to be due to HBO2. Since the band near 2000 cm−1, indicating the presence of boron—oxygen double bonds, apparently belongs not to B2O3, but to HBO2, a V‐shaped structure for the B2O3 molecule appears unacceptable. The absorption spectrum of B2O3 vapor has one broad feature near 1400 cm−1 which can be correlated with B2O3 bands observed in an inert gas matrix. The present spectra and a reanalysis of previously published matrix spectra are shown to be consistent with a bipyramidal B2O3 structure of symmetry D3h.

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