Matrix infrared spectroscopic and theoretical studies on the reactions of late lanthanoid atoms with nitrous oxide in excess argon.

Reactions of laser-ablated late lanthanoid atoms (Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu) with N(2)O molecules in excess argon have been investigated using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. Lanthanoid monoxide-dinitrogen complexes, OLn(N(2)) and OLnNN, are observed for Gd, Tb, Ho, and Er, and the OLnNN(+) cations are observed for Gd to Lu except for Yb. The new products are characterized on the basis of isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, and CCl(4)-doping experiments. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on the new species, which support identification of the OLn(N(2)), OLnNN, and OLnNN(+) complexes from the matrix infrared spectra. Together with our earlier work involving early lanthanoid atoms, several trends are identified for the reactions of lanthanoid atoms with N(2)O molecules.