Laser multiphoton ionization of aromatic molecules in nonpolar liquids

The laser multiphoton ionization (MPI) of fluoranthene in tetramethylsilane (TMS) and of azulene in n-tridecane, n-pentane, 2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentane, TMS and tetramethyltin is reported. Three distinct types of MPI mechanisms have been identified: two-photon ionization, stepwise three-photon ionization and mixed two- and three-photon ionization. The stepwise three-photon process consists of two-photon excitation, relaxation to a lower lying excited state with a lifetime comparable to the laser pulse duration (for azulene this state is the S₂ while for fluoranthene both the S₁ and S₂ states) and subsequent ionization with the absorption of a third photon. The ionization threshold of azulene in each liquid has been determined and found to vary linearly with the V₀ of the liquid.     

Two-color photoionization spectroscopy of jet-cooled nickelocene

Two-photon ionization of the nickelocene molecules cooled in a supersonic jet was performed for the first time by simultaneous excitation of (⁵–C₅H₅)2Ni with two tunable nano- second dye lasers. The one-photon transition from the HOMO to the Rydberg R4p level was used as the initial step of the multiphoton excitation. In a one-color experiment, the conditions were found for generation of the intact molecular ion, (⁵–C₅H₅)2Ni⁺, as the only ionic product of the multiphoton ionization. The use of an intense pulse of the second dye laser lead to an increase in the yield of the molecular ion.Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1604–1606, August, 2004.     

EPR study of (η5-cyclopentadienyl)nickel(I) complexes with P-and N-Donor ligands and 1,5-cyclooctadiene

Mononuclear (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)nickel(I) complexes with triphenylphosphine, triethylphosphite, 2,2’-bipyridyl, and 1,5-cyclooctadiene formed in the course of reduction of nickelocene were studied by EPR method. Monocyclopentadienyl Ni(I) complexes of the composition CpNiL₂ were shown to form during nickelocene reduction irrespective of the method applied (the use of organometallic compound, alkali metal, thermal conditions) in the presence of stabilizing ligands L (L = PPh₃, P(OEt)₃, Bipy/2, COD/2) and in the course of contradisproportionation reaction between nickelocene and the corresponding NiL₄ complex. It was found that in the structure of these CpNiL₂ complexes (L = PPh₃, P(OEt)₃, Bipy/2), the main molecular axis is perpendicular to the L-Ni-L plane and these complexes should be considered as derivatives of trigonal structures of D _3h symmetry distorted by Cp ligand. In CpNi(COD) complex, the main axis passes through the Cpring center and this complex should be treated as a derivative of pentagonal structure of C _5v symmetry distorted by COD ligand. Nonequivalence of ³¹P nuclei results from vibronic interaction effect in tricoordinate structures in pseudodegenerate electron state (Jahn-Teller effect).     

Perturbations of molecular extravalence excitations by rare-gas fluids

In this paper we report the results of an experimental study of the vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectra of molecular impurity states of methyl iodide in Ar (density range ? = 0–1.4 g cm^?3) and in Kr (? = 0–2.3 g cm^?3), of carbon disulphide in Ar (? = 0–1.4 g cm^?3) and of formaldehyde in Ar (? = 0–1.25 g cm^?3). The experimental results provide new information regarding medium perturbations of intravalenc transitions, of the lowest extravalence transitions and of transitions to mixed valence—Rydberg configurations, which serve as a diagnostic tool to distinguish between different types of electronic excitations. All the lowest extravalence molecular excitations exhibit appreciable blue spectral shifts at moderate and at high fluid densities, intravalence transitions are practically insensitive to medium effects, while excitations to mixed valence—Rydberg configurations are characterized by a moderate blue spectral shift. New information has been obtained concerning the energetics of molecular ionization processes in a dense fluid. The high n = 2–5 Rydberg states of CH₃l exhibit a large red shift at moderate (? = 0–0.5 cm^?3) Ar densities. The ionization potential E_g and the effective Rydberg constant G for CH₃I in Ar was found to decrease from G = 13.6 eV and E_g = 9.55 eV at ? = 0 and E_g = 9.08 eV and constant G for CH₃l in Ar was found to decrease from G = 13.6 eV and E_g = 9.55eV at ? = 0 and E_g = 9.08 eV and G ≈ 7.15 eV at ? = 0.5 g cm^?3. Experimental evidence was obtained for the identification of n = 2 molecular Wannier impurity states of CH₃I and of CH₂O in liquid Ar. These spectroscopic data result in E_g ≈ 8.6 eV for CH₃I in liquid Ar and E_g ≈ 10.2 eV for CH₂O in liquid Ar.     

Rydberg series in the absorption spectra of H2O and D2O in the vacuum ultraviolet

The photoabsorption cross section of molecular H₂O and D₂O has been determined in the range from hν = 10eV to 20 eV with 0.03 Å resolution. A refined analysis of the Rydberg series including the rotational line shapes of several bands to locate the band origins and a comparison with recent ab initio calculations is given. In the region of continuous absorption we have assigned a p-type and an s-type Rydberg series leading to the ²A₁ and the ²B₂ state respectively with quantum defects δ ≈ 0.75 and δ ≈ 1.36.     

(π-Cyclopentenyl)(π-cyclopentadienyl)nickel: A novel catalyst for the conversion of ethylene to 1-butene and n-hexenes

(π-Cyclopentenyl)(π-cyclopentadienyl)nickel, (h⁵-C₅H₅)Ni(h³-C₅H₇), is a novel, highly active, unicomponent catalyst for the conversion of ethylene to n-butenes and n-hexenes at 145–150° C. At high conversions of ethylene (70–90%), the dimeric product (80–86% yield) contains a high percentage (90–82%) of 1-butene. Experimental evidence is presented which strongly indicates that the cyclopentadienyl group remains bonded to the nickel during catalysis while the cyclopentenyl group is labile. A possible mode of activation is the reversible elimination of cyclopentadiene from (h⁵-C₅H₅)N₁(h³-C₅H₇) to generate π-cyclo pentadienylnickel hydride as a catalytically active intermediate. An improved synthesis of the title compound (70% yield) by direct hydrogenation of nickelocene is also reported.     

A precise determination of the first ionization potential of benzene

The first ionization potentials of benzene and benzene-d₆ have been precisely determined by the extrapolation of three-photon resonant Rydberg states in the four-photon ionization spectrum of the jet-cooled molecule. The convergence of resolved transitions in two Rydberg series for principal quantum numbers as high as 14 (-h₆) and 15 (-d₆) establish adiabatic thtesholds of 74573.0 ± 2.0 cm^?1, and 74592.5 = ± 1.2 cm^?1, respectively. These results are crucial for the understanding of the many excited states of benzene in terms of quantum defect theory. Precise quantum defects have been obtained for several Rydberg series and their variation with principal quantum number is reported. The results strongly suggest that the R? series of Wilkinson is derived from aπ(e_1g)→ nf±1 Rydberg excitation.     

193 nm Laser photoionization and photodissociation for isomer differentiation in Fourier-transform mass spectrometry

Energetic (6.4 eV) multiphoton ionization (MPI) or photodissociation, effected interchangeably in a Fourier-transform mass spectrometer, can differentiate isomers that yield similar electron ionization spectra. Selectivity is shown for isomers of C₇H₈, C₇H₉N, C₇H₇F, C₈H₁₀, but not of C₆H₃Cl₃ and C₁₄H₁₀. The contrasting MPI fragmentations and ionization efficiencies, as well as high sensitivities, are of substantial analytical utility. The high ionization efficiency makes possible high resolution MPI spectra, such as 470,000 (FWHH) for the molecular ion of anthracene, from a single laser pulse.     

Dissociation of ethane by electron impact

The absolute total dissociation cross section for ethane is reported for electron energies between 10 and 600 eV. A maximum value of 7.6 × 10^?16 cm² occurs at 80 eV while the apparent threshold is ≈ 10 eV. Dissociative ionization is more probable than dissociation into neutral fragments at all energies except in the threshold region. The data indicates that fragmentation involving methane elimination (c^? + C₂ H₆ → e^? + CH₄ + CH₂) occurs in less than 2% of the dissociative events for 50 < E < 600 eV. Arguments are presented which suggest that some of the lower excited states of ethane are stable against dissociation.     

Synthesis and structure of (η-cyclopentadienyl)(η-(1-(η-cyclopentadienyl)-2-phenyl-3-methyl-1-nickelaindenyl)nickel - the first analogue of nickelocene with a nickelacyclopentadienyl ring

A new metallacyclic compound (η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)(η⁵-(1-(η⁵-cyclopentadienyl)-2-phenyl-3-methyl-1-nickelaindenyl)nickel was synthesised and characterised. Its molecular and crystal structure was determined by X-ray measurements. It crystallises from hexane:THF mixture in the monoclinic crystal system and the P2₁/c space group. This is the first example of the homometallic metallametallocene of nickel. Like in nickelocene the central nickel atom has 20 valence electrons, so the compound can be regarded as the first nickelacyclic analogue of nickelocene.     

A.C. polarography and faradaic impedance of strongly adsorbed electroactive species: Part I. Theoretical and experimental study of a quasi-reversible reaction in the case of a Langmuir isotherm

The expression of the faradaic impedance is calculated in the case of a quasi-reversible system O+ne R under the following conditions: (a) both the oxidized and the reduced forms are strongly adsorbed; (b) the adsorption rate is large, and does not control the kinetics of the system; (c) the adsorption of both O and R obeys a Langmuir isotherm. The results show that the tangent of the phase angle is proportional to κ_s/ω (κ_s=rate constant of the electrochemical reaction). When ω→o, the phase angle tends towards 90°: the faradaic impedance becomes purely capacitive. The equation of the a.c. polarogram has been derived; whatever κ_s/ω, the peak height is proportional to the bulk concentration of the reactant, to τ^7/6 (τ=drop time), and to h^?1/2 (h=height of the mercury reservoir). When κ_s/ω→∞, the shape of the a.c. wave is identical to that of a “diffusion-controlled” a.c. wave. The experimental results obtained by a.c. polarography for the three systems azo-hydrazobenzene, benzo(c)cinnoline-dihydrobenzo(c)cinnoline and phenazine-dihydrophenazine are in excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions.     

Collisional ionization of atomic cesium by UF6 and WF6

Collisional ionization of Cs by UF₆ and WF₆ has been studied in crossed-beam geometry. Product UF^?₆ and WF^?₆ contain ≈3 eV of internal excitation energy even at the lowest Cs laboratory impact energy of 7 eV.     

Theory of single and double ionization of helium through two-photon excitation of the1 S 0 e (1) doubly excited resonance

We present a theory and calculations of two-photon-resonant three-photon ionization of He via the lowest even parity doubly excited state¹ S ₀ ^e (1). We assess the importance of double ionization relative to single ionization into excited ionic states. Although double ionization is found to be quite small in the present context, our calculations reveal the importance of autoionizing doubly excited states as virtual intermediate states and suggest contexts in which double ionization may be relatively more efficient.     

Vibrational structure in kinetic energy spectra of O+ ions from electron impact dissociative ionization of O2: Predissociation of the B 2Σg− state of O2+

Structure has been observed in the ≈ 0.8 eV kinetic energy O⁺ ion peak produced by electron impact dissociative ionization of O₂. The spacing between the features observed is approximately 0.08 eV which is consistent with their originating through predissociation of the B ²Σ_g^? state of O⁺.     

Angular distributions of photoelectrons in resonantly enhanced multiphoto ionization via the 7s[1 1/2]0 1 and 8s[1 1/2]0 1 states of Xe

Photoelectron angular distributions have been measured for the three-photon resonant one-photon ionization, (3+1), of Xe via the 7s[1 1/2]⁰ ₁ and 8s[1 1/2]⁰ ₁ states. The results are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions of Tang and Lambropoulos [13] for the 8s[1 1/2]⁰ ₁, but not for the 7s[1 1/2]⁰ ₁ state. Furthermore, the results are compared to those which have been obtained by Blazewicz et al. [1] for the three-photon resonant two-photon ionization, (3+2), of Xe via the 6s[1 1/2]⁰ ₁ state.     

Photon energy dependence of satelite line intensity in the photoelectron spectrum of acetylene

The intensity of the satellite at 27.5 eV ionisation energy in the photoelectron spectrum of acetylene has been studied as a function of photon energy using synchrotron radiation. In the accessible range up to ?ω = 72 eV, the satellite is considerably weaker relative to the 2σ_g main line than at ?ω = 151 and 1254 eV. If the satellite is indeed of ²Σg symmetry, as both theory and c-2c experiments show, then the effect can be attributed to interference between 2σ_g- and 3σ_g-derived components of the spectral function.     

Two-photon induced fluorescence and resonance-enhanced ionization of sulfur atoms

Two-photon induced fluorescence and resonance-enhanced photoionization have been observed in atomic sulfur originating from both the ³P_2,1,0 and the ¹D₂ states. Sulfur atoms are generated by the sequential multiphoton dissociation of CS₂ at probing wavelengths. The two-photon absorption process involves the 3 ³P_2,1,0 → 4 ³P_2,0,1 or the 3 ¹D₂ → 4 ¹F₃ transitions with resolution of the individual J″ → J′ transitions in most cases. Intensities of the 3³P_J″ → 4 ³P_J′ transitions have been compared with Hartree-Fock calculated transition probabilities from the analogous transitions in atomic oxygen. Photoionization is observed in a three-photon (two to resonance) ionization originating from the ³P_2,1,0 and the ¹D₂ states. Induced fluorescence is observed at 167 and 180 nm which is dipole-allowed radiation from the intermediate ³S⁰₁ and ¹D⁰₂ states, respectively.     

Multiphoton ionization mass spectroscopic detection of ammonia clusters

Ammonia cluster ions (NH₃)_n?2NH⁺₄ (n = 2?8), havevbeen detected by multiphoton ionization (MPI) mass spectroscopy, incorporating both a supersonic nozzle source and an ArB excimer laser. The MPI method reveals that the intensity ratio of NH⁺₄/NH⁺₃ is more than an order of magnitude greater than that in the electron impact mass spectrum.     

Conductibilité electrique aux basses températures des composés binaires Cr2X3 et Cr3X4 (X = S,Se ou Te)

Electrical resistivity of some binary compounds Cr₂X₃ and Cr₃X₄ (X = S, Se or Te) is studied on polycrystalline samples with the four point probe method, at temperatures between 4.2 and about 330 K. A metallic behavior is observed on Cr₂Te₃, Cr₃Te₄, Cr₃S₄ and the 3c′ form of Cr₂Se₃. Some other compounds are semiconductors: Cr₃Se₄ (E_300K ≈ 0.07 eV; E_4.2K = 2.07 × 10^?4 eV), the 2c′ form of Cr_2+εSe₃ (E_300K ≈ 0.074 eV; E_4.2K = 2.76 × 10^?4 eV) and the 3c′ form of Cr₂S₃ (E_275K ≈ 0.55 eV). The observed results seem to be closely related to the nature of the octahedral neighborhood of the cations.     

Charge transfer interactions between nucleic acid bases and strong acceptors

The regularities of the donor-acceptor interaction of nucleic acid bases and some of their derivatives with the strong acceptor 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) in thin amorphous films at 77 K were studied using UV and visible spectroscopy. Purine and pyrimidine bases are shown to form charge transfer TCNQ complexes whose band energies hν_ct = I_p ? E_A ? (H* ? H⁰) are linearly dependent of the donor ionization potential I_p. Calculated differences between the interaction energies of uncharged molecules and ion radicals, ΔE ≈ 3.0 eV, are in good agreement with experimental variations of the complex dissociation energies in the ground and excited states, (H* ? H⁰) = 2.73 eV. Annealing of the films of complexes containing cytosine, 1-methylcytosine, uracil, and caffeine leads to ordering of their structure and the formation of ion radical salts.