MATRIX-ISOLATION STUDY OF THE REACTION OF B2H6 WITH H2S - SPECTROSCOPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF MERCAPTOBORANE, H2BSH

Merged jet copyrolysis of mixtures of Ar/B2H6 and Ar/H2S followed by trapping in a cryogenic matrix has led to the formation, isolation, and characterization of mercaptoborane, H2BSH. Eight of the nine fundamentals of this molecule were observed, including the boron-sulfur stretching mode at 804 cm-1 (B-11). Local density functional and normal-coordinate calculations were carried out to assist in assigning the observed fundamentals. The position of B-S stretching mode, compared to a range of known compounds, suggests single bond character for the B-S bond. Additional products were observed, including HBS, and suggests further reaction of H2BSH at high temperatures. A mechanism for the reaction is proposed.