SPECTROSCOPIC DETERMINATION OF THREE STABLE ISOMERS OF THE MIXED BINARY COMPLEX $N_{2}O$-HCN

The optothermal detection method has been used to obtain the first spectroscopic results for the mixed binary complex $N_{2}O-HCN$. Three distinctive spectra were recorded in the C-H stretching region of HCN monomer which are attributed to three isomeric forms of $N_{2}O$-HCN. To date, only a handful of weakly bound species have exhibited more than one stable form. In particular, $N_{2}O-HF^{1,2}$ and $CO_{2}-HCN^{3,4}$ are each known to have two stable isomers. Two of the isomers of $N_{2}O-HCN$ have structures which are similar to the isomers of $N_{2}O-HF$, namely linear and bent. In addition, a third isomer with a parallel structure has also been discovered. Ab initio calculations have also been performed and are in agreement with the experimental results. $N_{2}O-HCN$ is the first binary complex to display three stable isomeric forms and should provide greater insights into the detailed nature of these potential energy surfaces.