CH₅⁺: The infrared spectrum observed

Protonated methane, CH₅⁺, has unusual vibrational and rotational behavior because its three nonequivalent equilibrium structures have nearly identical energies and its five protons scramble freely. Although many theoretical papers have been published on the quantum mechanics of the system, a better understanding requires spectral data. A complex, high- resolution infrared spectrum of CH₅⁺ corresponding to the C-H stretching band in the 3,4-micrometer region is reported. Although no detailed assignment of the individual lines was made, comparison with other carbocation spectra strongly suggests that the transitions are due tO CH₅⁺.