VCl4 Vapor Spectrum and Jahn-Teller Splitting

Abstract
The absorption spectrum of VCl4 vapor from 400 to 23 000 cm—1 was determined. A system of bands with maximum absorption coefficient at 9000 cm—1 is attributed to ligand field splitting of the 2D ground term of the free V (V) ion. The three‐component structure of this band is attributed to Jahn‐Teller splitting of the excited state. Simple calculations of the expected splitting are offered in support of this assignment.