Ti(H2O)Arn+ ions are produced in a supersonic beam via a pulsed discharge.
The infrared spectra of these ions are measured via IR laser photodissociation.
Inserted HTiOH+ is more stable, but we detect only the Ti(H2O)+ ion–molecule complex.
The ground state of Ti(H2O)+ is a quartet, while that of Ti(H2O)Ar+ is a doublet.
Argon binding induces an electronic spin-state switch.