Infrared spectrum and structure of the gold dihydroxide molecule

Reactions of laser-ablated gold atoms with H2O2 and H2+ O2 mixtures give four new infrared absorptions, which match the four most intense vibrational frequencies calculated for Au(OH)2 using density functional theory; the calculations find a C2h structure and substantial covalent bonding character for the Au(OH)2 molecule, which is probably due to the high electron affinity of gold.