Knowledge Bank

The complex HCN-HCN-$BF3$ and several of its isotopic derivatives have been observed by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The system has the expected $C3v$ geometry with the outer nitrogen of a linear $(HCN)2$ bound to the $BF3$. This species represents the first step in the microsolvation of $HCN-BF3$, a partially bonded complex whose structure has been previously determined from rotational $spectroscopya$. The hypersensitivity to a local environment of complexes with partially formed dative linkages has been well established, and thus large changes in the structure and bonding within the $HCN-BF3$ unit are expected for this complex. Progress in the structure analysis will be reported, and the results compared with those for both $HCN-BF3$ and $HCN-HCN-SO3$.