Matrix infrared spectra and density functional calculations of the Cu(C2H2)2 and CuCO(C2H2) molecules

The reaction products of copper atoms with acetylene or acetylene and carbon monoxide mixtures in solid argon have been studied using infrared absorption spectroscopy and density functional theoretical calculations. The Cu(C2H2)2 molecule is the only product of the copper and acetylene reaction, which was predicted to have a 2B2u ground state with planar D2h structure. When acetylene and carbon monoxide mixture was used as reagent, the CuCO(C2H2) molecule was also formed and characterized. The CuCO(C2H2) molecule has a 2B2 ground state with planar C2v structure.