Dichlorosilylene–hydrogen chloride complex: direct IR spectroscopic detection in argon matrix

Abstract

A 1: 1 donor–acceptor complex between SiCl₂ and HCl was detected by matrix IR spectroscopy. The existence of the complex was previously predicted theoretically in the course of analysis of mechanisms of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes involving chlorosilanes. The quantum chemical calculations at the G4(MP₂) level confirmed the possibility of formation of only one stable complex upon the reaction of SiCl₂ with HCl. In addition to the complex of the simplest composition, complexes of SiCl₂ with HCl associates were observed upon matrix annealing. The only product formed upon the photolysis of the complexes of all types was trichlorosilane, a product of silylene insertion into the H–Cl bond.