Mössbauer and Infrared Studies of Reactions of Laser-Evaporated Iron Atoms with Methane

The reaction of laser-evaporated iron atoms with methane gas was studied using a matrix-isolation technique, and the reaction products were observed by Mossbauer and infrared spectroscopy. The reaction produced CH3FeH in a CH4/Ar mixture, whereas Fe2H2(CH3)(4) was also obtained in addition in a pure CH4 matrix. Molecular orbital calculations were performed in order to confirm the assignments.