Infrared matrix isolation study of H2SO4 and its complexes with H2O

Infrared spectra of H2SO4 vapors, which also include H2O and SO3, were trapped in argon matrices. Vibrational assignments for monomeric H2SO4 were established and additional bands were assigned to the (H2SO4)2, (H2O)·(H2SO4) and (H2O)2·(H2SO4) species. For the (H2O)·(H2SO4) complex, several isomers are shown to exist, the most stable being H2O·HOSO2OH. Temperature reversible changes in several bands of the latter complex are discussed in analogy to the trimeric (H2O)3 complex. The H2O and H2SO4 molecules dispersed in the argon solid do not affect the stabilization of a mixed (H2O)m·(SO3)n complex. No spectral evidence for ionized species due to proton transfer was found in the matrix samples investigated.