The data from a broad spectrum of investigational techniques strongly and consistently indicate that hydrogen can exist in lower-energy states then previously thought possible. Novel emission lines with energies of q . 13.6 eV where q = 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 were previously observed by extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectroscopy recorded on microwave discharges of helium with 2% hydrogen [Mills RL, Ray P. Extreme ultraviolet spectroscopy of helium-hydrogen plasma. J Phys D 2003;36:1535-42]. These lines matched H(1/p), fractional Rydberg states of atomic hydrogen wherein n = 1/2, 1/3, 1/4,... 1/p; (p <= 137 is an integer) replaces the well-known parameter n=integer in the Rydberg equation for hydrogen excited states. Evidence supports that these states are formed by a resonant nontradiative energy transfer to He+ acting as a catalyst. Ar+ and K also serve as catalysts since, like He+, they meet the catalyst criterion-a chemical or physical process with an enthalpy change equal to an integer multiple of the potential energy of atomic hydrogen, 27.2 eV. Two H(1/p) may react to form H-2 (1 /P) that have vibrational and rotational energies that are p(2) times those of H-2 comprising uncatalyzed atomic hydrogen. Rotational lines were observed in the 145-300nm region from atmospheric pressure electron-beam excited argon-hydrogen 4 that of H-2 and identified plasmas. The unprecedented energy spacing of 4(2) times that of hydrogen established the internuclear distance as 1/4 that of H-2 and identified H-2(1/4). The predicted products of alkali catalyst K are H-(1/4) which form a novel alkali halido hydride compound (MH*X) and H-2(1/4) which may be trapped in the crystal. The H-1 MAS NMR spectrum of novel compound KH*Cl relative to external tetramethylsilane (TMS) showed a large distinct upfield resonance at -4.4 ppm corresponding to an absolute resonance shift of -35.9 ppm that matched the theoretical prediction of H-(1/p) with p = 4. The predicted catalyst reactions, position of the upfield-shifted NMR peaks for H-(1/4), and spectroscopic data for H-(1/4) were found to be in agreement with the experimental observations as well as previously reported analysis of KH*Cl containing this hydride ion. The predicted frequencies of ortho- and para-H-2(41) were observed at 1943 and 2012cm(-1) in the high resolution FTIR spectrum of KH*I having a -4.6 ppm NMR peak assigned to H-(1/4) The 1943/2012 cm(-1) -intensity ratio matched the characteristic ortho-to-para-peak-intensity 4 ratio of 3: 1, and the ortho-para splitting of 69 cm(-1) matched that predicted. KH*Cl having H-(1/4) by NMR was incident to the 12.5 keV 4 electron-beam which excited similar emission of interstitial H-2(1/4) as observed in the argon-hydrogen plasma. H-2(1/p) gas was isolated by liquefaction of plasma gas at liquid nitrogen temperature and by decomposition of compounds (MH*X) found to contain the corresponding hydride ions H-(1/p). The H-2(1/p) gas was dissolved in CDCl3 and characterized by H-1 NMR. Considering solvent effects, singlet peaks upfield of H-2 were observed with a predicted integer spacing of 0.64 ppm at 3.47, 3.02, 2.18, 1.25, 0.85, and 0.22ppm which matched the consecutive series H2(1/2), H-2(1/3), H-2(1/4), H-2(1/5), H-2(1/6), and H-2(1/7), respectively. Excess power was absolutely measured from the helium-hydrogen plasma. For an input of 41.9W, the total plasma power of the helium-hydrogen plasma measured by water bath calorimetry was 62.1 W corresponding to 20.2 W of excess power in 3 cm(3) plasma volume. The excess power density and energy balance were high, 6.7 W/cm(3) and -5.4 x 10(4) kJ/mole H-2 (280 eV/H atom), respectively. In addition to power applications, battery and propellant reactions are proposed that may be transformational, and observed excited vibration-rotational levels of H-2(1/4) could be the basis of a UV laser that could significantly advance photolithography. (c) 2007 International Association for Hydrogen Energy. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.