Gold complexes vibrational spectra

The structure of the complexes formed when gold clusters react with oxygen is not always certain, and in particular it is not certain whether the oxygen molecule is dissociated or not.3 Clearly if it is to dissociate, the transfer of charge from the cluster to the molecule must be the first step, but what must happen thereafter if dissociation into atoms is to occur is far from obvious. Some light is cast on this problem by the observation of the vibrational fine structure in the ultraviolet photoelectron spectrum (UPS) of the Au —O2 and Au)C -O2 complexes.8,9 Subsidiary peaks at 179 and 152 meV compare with those found elsewhere for the O2 ion at 80-120 meV and for the 0 ion at 135-150 meV (ImeV = 8.06 cm"1) this suggests... 

---