Gas-phase generation and infrared spectroscopy of metastable OP-SCN molecule.

An attempt has been made to generate the metastable phosphorus (III) oxythiocyanide molecule, OP-SCN for the first time by an on-line process using the vapor flow of phosphorus (III) oxychloride, OPCl passed over heated AgSCN at 520 degrees C. The products have been characterized by their IR spectra; values for v1 of 2055 cm(-1) (C[triple bond]N stretch), v2 of 1365 cm(-1) (O=P stretch), v3 of 720 cm(-1) (C-S stretch) and v7 of 680 cm(-1) (P-S stretch) have been obtained.