Chromium Oxide Complexes with Dinitrogen. Formation and Characterization of the (NN)<INF>x</INF><INF></INF>CrO and (NN)<INF>x</INF><INF></INF>CrO<INF>2</INF> (x = 1,2)

Matrix isolation infrared spectra and quantum chemical calculations of the (NN)<INF>x</INF><INF></INF>CrO and (NN)<INF>x</INF><INF></INF>CrO<INF>2</INF> (x = 1, 2) molecules are reported. These species were prepared and isolated in solid argon by three different methods:  co-condensation of the CrO and CrO<INF>2</INF> molecules generated from laser ablation of CrO<INF>3</INF> with N<INF>2</INF>/Ar; reactions of laser-ablated Cr atoms with O<INF>2</INF>/N<INF>2</INF>/Ar mixtures, and reactions of laser-ablated Cr atoms with N<INF>2</INF>O/Ar. The product absorptions were identified by isotopic substitutions and density functional theoretical calculations. Evidence is also presented for the (NN)(O<INF>2</INF>)CrO<INF>2</INF> molecule.