Knowledge Bank

Infrared spectra of the (CO$2)2$-N$2$O trimer are observed by exciting the $\nu 1$ and $\nu 3$ fundamental stretching vibrations of the N$2$O moiety (around 1285 cm$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">-1</mrow>}$ and 2224 cm$\mathrm{<mrow\; data-mjx-texclass="ORD">-1</mrow>}$ respectively). Spectra are recorded using a pulsed supersonic jet apparatus with a tunable diode laser probe. Ground state parameters were previously determined from a microwave study. \textbf{96}, 1355 (1999).} Analysis of the infrared spectra reveals information on the vibrational shifts upon complex formation as well as molecular parameters for the excited states. Our cluster calculation program yields a minimum energy structure very similar to that from the Orient program\textsuperscript{\textit{a}} but in slightly better agreement with the experimental structure. Our cluster calculations indicate a close resemblance of the two lowest energy isomers to those of (CO$2$)$2$-OCS.