The adsorption and reaction of methanol on oxidized copper(111) studied by Fourier transform reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy

Abstract

At 91 K, methanol adsorbs on clean and oxidised copper (111) to give a hydrogen-bonded multilayer. On heating to 150 K, the methanol is completely desorbed from the clean surface, while on the oxidized surface, a deprotonation reaction takes place resulting in the production of a methoxy species, CH 30. The Fourier transform reflection-absorption i.r. spectrum (FT-RAIRS) measured between 4000 and 800 cm -1 shows only four peaks, three of which appear in the region 3000ȓ2800 cm -1. The spectrum is assigned to an upright species which has C 3 v symmetry. The assignment is assisted by comparison to the i.r. spectrum of a model cluster compound containing a μ 2 methoxy ligand. The methoxy species decomposes above 300 K and is removed completely from the surface at 400 K.