The Trifluorooxygenate Anion [OF3]−: Spectroscopic Evidence for a Binary, Hypervalent Oxygen Species

Abstract

Experimental evidence for hypervalent compounds of second-row elements is still scarce in literature. Here, we present the first report of the long-sought binary hypervalent trifluorooxygenate anion [OF3]−. It was isolated in solid Ne matrices under cryogenic conditions after reacting oxygen difluoride with free fluoride ions from laser ablation of alkali metal fluorides MF (M = Li–Cs). As predicted by VSEPR theory and calculations at the CCSD(T) level, and confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy as well as isotopic labeling, [OF3]− exhibits a C2v-symmetric T-shaped structure with one short and two long O-F bond distances. Analysis of the natural local molecular orbitals shows the presence of 2c-2e bond and one 3c-4e bond. Natural resonance theory indicates the importance of the stability of [OF2]•− for the stability of [OF3]−. Although free [OF2]•− was not detected, the species MOF2 (M = Na–Cs) could be observed in the same experiments, which are best described as contact ion pairs of M+[OF2]•−.