Static and Dynamic Structure of Molecular Monomers and Dimers of the Rare-earth Fluorides

We determine a model of the ionic interactions in RF3 compounds, where R is a rare-earth element in the series from La to Lu, by an analysis of data on the bond length and the vibrational mode frequencies of the PrF₃, GdF₃ and HoF₃ molecular monomers. All RF3 monomers are predicted to have a pyramidal shape, displaying a progressive flattening of the molecular shape in parallel with the lanthanide contraction of the bond length. The vibrational frequencies of all monomers are calculated, the results being in good agreement with the data from infrared studies of matrix-isolated molecules. We also evaluate the geometrical structure and the vibrational spectrum of the La2F6 and Ce2F6 dimers, as a further test of the proposed model. -PACS 36.40.Wa (Charged clusters)