MATRIX-ISOLATION STUDY OF THE REACTION OF B2H6 WITH CH3SH - SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF METHYLMERCAPTOBORANE, H2BSCH3

Merged jet copyrolysis of mixtures of Ar/B2H6 and Ar/CH3SH followed by trapping in a cryogenic matrix has led to the formation, isolation, and characterization of methylmercaptoborane, H2BSCH3. Thirteen of the 18 fundamentals of this molecule were observed, including the B-S stretching mode at 830 cm-1 (B-11). Local density functional calculations were carried out to assist in assigning the observed bands. Experiments involving Ar/B2H6 and Ar/C2H5SH were carried out in the same manner and resulted in the formation, isolation, and partial characterization of ethylmercaptoborane, H2BSC2H5. The close proximity of many of the heavy atom skeletal vibrations to those of H2BSCH3 helped confirm the production of both of these compounds. Secondary products were also observed and led to the formulation of a reaction mechanism.