Knowledge Bank

Rotationally resolved infrared spectra have been obtained for the first time for metal complex-adsorbate systems. In particular, bare Mg clusters have been grown in helium nanodroplets, to which are added a single HCN molecule. The IR spectra associated with the C-H vibrational band have been recorded for HCN-$Mgn(n=1-6)$. The results indicate that there is a qualitative change in the HCN-Mg cluster bonding (highly non-additive) in going from $n=2$ to $n=4$.