Halogenated Xenon Cyanides ClXeCN, ClXeNC, and BrXeCN

We report on the preparation and characterization of three new noble-gas molecules ClXeCN, ClXeNC, and BrXeCN. These molecules are synthesized by 193 nm photolysis and thermal annealing of ClCN and BrCN in a xenon matrix. The absorption spectra are measured in the mid- and far-infrared regions, and the assignment is supported by isotope substitution and quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory. The present results demonstrate a way to prepare other noble-gas molecules of this type.