HXeCCH in Ar and Kr matrices

HXeCCH molecule is prepared in Ar and Kr matrices and characterized by IR absorption spectroscopy. The experiments show that HXeCCH can be made in another host than the polarizable Xe environment. The H-Xe stretching absorption of HXeCCH in Ar and Kr is blueshifted from the value measured in solid Xe. The maximum blueshifts are +44.9 and +32.3 cm(-1) in Ar and Kr, respectively, indicating stabilization of the H-Xe bond. HXeCCH has a doublet H-Xe stretching absorption measured in Xe, Kr, and Ar matrices with a splitting of 5.7, 13, and 14 cm(-1), respectively. Ab initio calculations for the 1:1 HXeCCHcdots, three dots, centeredNg complexes (Ng = Ar, Kr, or Xe) are used to analyze the interaction of the hosts with the embedded molecule. These calculations support the matrix-site model where the band splitting observed experimentally is caused by specific interactions of the HXeCCH molecule with noble-gas atoms in certain local morphologies. However, the 1:1 complexation is unable to explain the observed blueshifts of the H-Xe stretching band in Ar and Kr matrices compared to a Xe matrix. More sophisticated computational approach is needed to account in detail the effects of solid environment.     

Matrix isolation and ab initio study of the HXeCCH...CO2 complex

The HXeCCH...CO2 complex is studied experimentally and computationally. The complex is prepared in a low-temperature xenon matrix using UV photolysis of propiolic acid (HCCCOOH) and thermal mobilization of H atoms at 45 K. Photolysis of propiolic acid leads to the HCCH...CO2 complex as one of the photolysis products. The HCCH...CO2 complex is further photolyzed to the HCC...CO2 complex. Thermal annealing leads to the formation of HXeCCH complexed with CO2. The H-Xe stretching absorption of the HXeCCH...CO2 complex is blueshifted (+31.9 and +5.8 cm(-1)) from the value of the HXeCCH monomer in a xenon matrix. In the calculations, three HXeCCH...CO2 structures were found (one parallel and two linear structures) corresponding to the true energy minima on the potential energy surface. For the H-Xe stretching mode, the calculations give blueshifted values of +19.2 or +19.5 cm(-1) depending on the computational level [MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) and MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ] for the parallel structure and +19.4 or +27.9 cm(-1) for one linear structure. For the second linear structure, the H-Xe stretching frequency is redshifted by -8.6 or -9.4 cm(-1) at these levels of theory. Based on the calculations, the experimental band shifted by +5.8 cm(-1) (1492.2 cm(-1)) most likely corresponds to the HXeCCH...CO2 parallel structure. The band with larger blueshift of +31.9 cm(-1) (1518.3 cm(-1)) can be due to another matrix site of the same structure or to the blueshifting linear structure.     

Molecular structure and infrared spectra of (HXeCN)n (n=2, 3 or 4)

The structure, energetics, and vibrational spectra of the (HXeCN)2 dimer were investigated at the CCSD(T), MP2 and B3LYP levels. Such properties of the (HXeCN)3 trimer and (HXeCN)4 tetramer were investigated at the B3LYP level. The dimer, trimer, and tetramer were predicted to have a C2h, C2v, and D2d structure, respectively. In all of these oligomers, the N?Xe intermonomeric interaction is the most important one for holding the monomers together. Included with the ZPVE and BSSE, the stabilization energy of the dimer is 12.36 kcal/mol at the CCSD(T) level, while those of the dimer, trimer, and tetramer are 10.42, 18.23, and 31.34 kcal/mol, respectively, at the B3LYP level. At the B3LYP level, with respect to those of the isolated monomer, the C-Xe and Xe-H asymmetric stretching frequencies are shifted by -11.2 and +128.0 cm(-1) for the dimer, -51.6, +220.7 and -11.5, +96.6 cm(-1) for the trimer, and -14.1 and +201.8 cm(-1) for the tetramer.     

Organo-noble-gas hydride compounds HKrCCH, HXeCCH, HXeCC, and HXeCCXeH: formation mechanisms and effect of 13C isotope substitution on the vibrational properties

We investigate the formation mechanism of HXeCCXeH in a Xe matrix. Our experimental results show that the HXeCCXeH molecules are formed in the secondary reactions involving HXeCC radicals. The experimental data on the formation of HXeCCXeH is fully explained based on the model involving the HXeCC+Xe+H-->HXeCCXeH reaction. This reaction is the first case when a noble-gas hydride molecule is formed from another noble-gas molecule. In addition, we investigate the (12)C/(13)C isotope effect on the vibrational properties of organo-noble-gas hydrides (HKrCCH, HXeCCH, HXeCC, and HXeCCXeH) in noble-gas matrixes. The present experimental results and ab initio calculations on carbon isotope shifts of the vibrational modes support the previous assignments of these molecules. Upon (12)C to (13)C isotope substitution, we observed a pronounced effect on the H-Kr stretching mode of HKrCCH (downshift of 1.0-3.6 cm(-1), depending on the matrix site) and a small anomalous shift (+0.1 cm(-1)) of the H-Xe stretching mode of HXeCCH and HXeCCXeH.     

Stability of noble-gas hydrocarbons in an organic liquid-like environment: HXeCCH in acetylene

Noble-gas hydrides such as HXeCCH are prepared in cryogenic noble-gas matrices where they are stable. Molecular dynamics simulations reported here predict that HXeCCH is chemically stable in clusters of acetylene, and that stability prevails for temperatures of at least 150 K, at which the clusters are liquid-like. The HXeCCH(C(2)H(2))(n) clusters are studied for sizes up to n = 7. Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics trajectories of 10 ps duration are computed using BLYP-D DFT potential. The liquid-like nature of the system at 150 K is reflected in large amplitude motion of intermolecular distances and orientations. In addition, structures, energetics, NBO charges and bonding analysis at equilibrium are also reported. Complexation is found to be energetically favorable, and to increase the stability of the HXeCCH molecule. The significance of the existence of stable liquid-like complexes of noble-gas hydrides is discussed.     

Experimental evidence for the formation of HXeCCH: the first hydrocarbon with an inserted rare-gas atom

Combined FTIR and EPR studies of acetylene irradiated with fast electrons in a solid xenon matrix provide experimental evidence for the formation of HXeCCH, a novel-type organic molecule with an inserted rare-gas atom. The new species resulting from the reaction of H atoms with CCH radicals in xenon was characterized by an intense IR absorption at 1486.0 cm(-1) corresponding to Xe-H stretching.     

Fluorine-free organoxenon chemistry: HXeCCH,HXeCC, and HXeCCXeH

Three novel Xe-containing organic compounds, HXeCCH, HXeCC (open-shell species), and HXeCCXeH, are identified using infrared absorption spectroscopy. They are prepared in a low-temperature Xe matrix using UV photolysis of acetylene and subsequent annealing at 40-45 K. The experimental observations are supported by extensive ab initio calculations. This work demonstrates a new way to activate the H-Ctbd1;C- group without use of XeF(2), which can extend the range of organoxenon compounds.     

Theoretical characterization of structures and energies of benzene-(H2S)n and (H2S)n (n=1-4) clusters

An ab initio study was performed in clusters up to four H(2)S molecules and benzene using calculations at MP26-31+G(*) and MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ levels. Differences between both sets of calculations show the importance of using large basis sets to describe the intermolecular interactions in this system. The obtained binding energies reflect that benzene has not the same behavior in H(2)S as in water, pointing to a higher solubility of this molecule in H(2)S than in water. The Bz-cluster binding energy was fitted to an asymptotic representation with a maximum value of the energy of -8.00 kcal/mol that converges in a cluster with 12 H(2)S molecules. The obtained intermolecular distance in the Bz-H(2)S dimer is similar to the experimental value; however, the difference is much larger for the angles defining the orientation. The influence of benzene produces a distortion of the (H(2)S)(n) clusters, so the intermolecular distances change with regard to the (H(2)S)(n) isolated clusters. Frequency shifts are larger in clusters with benzene than without it. In the smallest clusters the shift associated to the stretching of the S-H bonded to benzene is the largest one, but for the cluster with three H(2)S molecules this stretching is combined with the other S-H stretching of the molecule so the resulting shift is not the largest one.     

Quantum chemical exploration of formaldehyde clusters (H2CO)n (n = 2–4)

Global exploration of equilibrium structures and interconversion pathways on the quantum chemical potential energy surface (PES) is performed for (H₂CO)n (n = 2–4) by using the Scaled Hypersphere Search‐Anharmonic Downward Distortion Following (SHS‐ADDF) method. Density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations with empirical dispersion corrections (D3) yielded comparable results for formaldehyde dimer in comparison with recent detailed studies at CCSD(T) levels. Based on DFT‐D3 calculations, trimer and tetramer structures and their stabilities were studied. For tetramer, a highly symmetrical S₄ structure was found as the most stable form in good accordance with experimentally determined tetramer unit in the formaldehyde crystal. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Molecular structures and energetics of the (TiO2)n (n = 1-4) clusters and their anions

The (TiO2)n clusters and their anions for n = 1-4 have been studied with coupled cluster theory [CCSD(T)] and density functional theory (DFT). For n > 1, numerous conformations are located for both the neutral and anionic clusters, and their relative energies are calculated at both the DFT and CCSD(T) levels. The CCSD(T) energies are extrapolated to the complete basis set limit for the monomer and dimer and calculated up to the triple-zeta level for the trimer and tetramer. The adiabatic and vertical electron detachment energies of the anionic clusters to the ground and first excited states of the neutral clusters are calculated at both levels and compared with the experimental results. The comparison allows for the definitive assignment of the ground-state structures of the anionic clusters. Anions of the dimer and tetramer are found to have very closely lying conformations within 2 kcal/mol at the CCSD(T) level, whereas that of the trimer does not. In addition, accurate clustering energies and heats of formation are calculated for the neutral clusters and compared with the available experimental data. Estimates of the titanium-oxygen bond energies show that they are stronger than the group VIB transition metal-oxygen bonds except for tungsten. The atomization energies of these clusters display much stronger basis set dependence than the clustering energies. This allows the calculation of more accurate heats of formation for larger clusters on the basis of calculated clustering energies.     

Theoretical predictions of nuclear magnetic resonance parameters in a novel organo-xenon species: chemical shifts and nuclear quadrupole couplings in HXeCCH

We calibrate the methodology for the calculation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) properties in novel organo-xenon compounds. The available state-of-the-art quantum-chemical approaches are combined and applied to the HXeCCH molecule as the model system. The studied properties are (129)Xe, (1)H, and (13)C chemical shifts and shielding anisotropies, as well as (131)Xe and (2)H nuclear quadrupole coupling constants. The aim is to obtain, as accurately as currently possible, converged results with respect to the basis set, electron correlation, and relativistic effects, including the coupling of relativity and correlation. This is done, on one hand, by nonrelativistic correlated ab initio calculations up to the CCSD(T) level and, on the other hand, for chemical shifts and shielding anisotropies by the leading-order relativistic Breit-Pauli perturbation theory (BPPT) with correlated ab initio and density-functional theory (DFT) reference states. BPPT at the uncorrelated Hartree-Fock level as well as the corresponding fully relativistic Dirac-Hartree-Fock method are found to be inapplicable due to a dramatic overestimation of relativistic effects, implying the influence of triplet instability in this multiply bonded system. In contrast, the fully relativistic second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory method can be applied for the quadrupole coupling, which is a ground-state electric property. The performance of DFT with various exchange-correlation functionals is found to be inadequate for the nonrelativistic shifts and shielding anisotropies as compared to the CCSD(T) results. The relativistic BPPT corrections to these quantities can, however, be reasonably predicted by DFT, due to the improved triplet excitation spectrum as compared to the Hartree-Fock method, as well as error cancellation within the five main BPPT contributions. We establish three computationally feasible models with characteristic error margins for future calculations of larger organo-xenon compounds to guide forthcoming experimental NMR efforts. The predicted (129)Xe chemical shift in HXeCCH is in a novel range for this nucleus, between weakly bonded or solvated atomic xenon and xenon in the hitherto characterized molecules.     

Study of NH stretching vibrations in small ammonia clusters by infrared spectroscopy in He droplets and ab initio calculations

Infrared spectra of the NH stretching vibrations of (NH3)n clusters (n = 2-4) have been obtained using the helium droplet isolation technique and first principles electronic structure anharmonic calculations. The measured spectra exhibit well-resolved bands, which have been assigned to the nu1, nu3, and 2nu4 modes of the ammonia fragments in the clusters. The formation of a hydrogen bond in ammonia dimers leads to an increase of the infrared intensity by about a factor of 4. In the larger clusters the infrared intensity per hydrogen bond is close to that found in dimers and approaches the value in the NH3 crystal. The intensity of the 2nu4 overtone band in the trimer and tetramer increases by a factor of 10 relative to that in the monomer and dimer, and is comparable to the intensity of the nu1 and nu3 fundamental bands in larger clusters. This indicates the onset of the strong anharmonic coupling of the 2nu4 and nu1 modes in larger clusters. The experimental assignments are compared to the ones obtained from first principles electronic structure anharmonic calculations for the dimer and trimer clusters. The anharmonic calculations were performed at the M?ller-Plesset (MP2) level of electronic structure theory and were based on a second-order perturbative evaluation of rovibrational parameters and their effects on the vibrational spectra and average structures. In general, there is excellent (<20 cm(-1)) agreement between the experimentally measured band origins for the N-H stretching frequencies and the calculated anharmonic vibrational frequencies. However, the calculations were found to overestimate the infrared intensities in clusters by about a factor of 4.     

Theoretical modeling of the O-H stretching IR bands of hydrogen-bonded dimers of benzoic acid in S(0) and S(1) electronic states

Theoretical model for vibrational interactions in the hydrogen-bonded dimer of benzoic acid is presented. The model takes into account anharmonic-type couplings between the high-frequency O-H and the low-frequency O[cdots, three dots, centered]O stretching vibrations in two hydrogen bonds, resonance interactions (Davydov coupling) between two hydrogen bonds in the dimer, and Fermi resonance between the O-H stretching fundamental and the first overtone of the O-H in-plane bending vibrations. The vibrational Hamiltonians and selection rules for the C(2h) geometry in the S(0) state and for the C(s) in-plane bent geometry in the S(1) state of the dimer are derived. The model is used for theoretical simulation of the O-H stretching IR absorption bands of benzoic acid dimers in the gas phase in the electronic ground and first excited singlet states. Ab initio CIS and CIS(D)6-311++G(d,p) calculations have been performed to determine geometry, frequencies, and excited state energies of benzoic acid dimer in the S(1) state.     

Hydrogen-bonded structures for self-aggregates of 2,5-dimethylpyrrole and its binary clusters with pyrrole studied by IR cavity ringdown spectroscopy

N-H···π hydrogen-bonded (H-bonded) structures were studied by applying vibrational spectroscopy to self-aggregate clusters of 2,5-dimethylpyrrole (DMPy) and its binary clusters with pyrrole (Py). The NH stretching vibrations of jet-cooled clusters were observed by IR cavity ringdown spectroscopy. A combination of experiments and density functional theory calculations revealed the stable structures, intermolecular binding energies, and harmonic vibrational frequencies. The IR spectrum of the DMPy self-aggregate clusters was very similar in spectral features to that of the Py clusters in a previous work. The observed NH stretching vibrations at 3505, 3420, 3371, and 3353 cm(-1) are simultaneously red-shifted by ～25 cm(-1) from the Py monomer, dimer, trimer, and tetramer, respectively. Based on a spectral analogy of DMPy with Py, and a consistency of the calculated harmonic frequencies with experiments, the H-bonded structures of the DMPy clusters were determined to be of a T-shape for a dimer and a cyclic for a trimer and a tetramer. For the DMPy-Py binary clusters, we discussed the stability and geometry of the N-H···π interactions in the T-shaped dimer and the cyclic trimer. The binary dimer showed the only single NH stretch at 3419 cm(-1) in the IR spectrum. A vibrational analysis of the H-bonded NH stretches as well as the calculated stabilization energies deduced that only the binary dimer by DMPy as an acceptor and Py as a donor can exist in a supersonic jet. For binary trimers, NH stretches were observed due to both (DMPy)(2)-(Py)(1) and (DMPy)(1)-(Py)(2). They were found to have different vibrational patterns from each other; the former showed three dispersed NH stretches, and the other had two quasi-degenerate NH stretches. Throughout this study, we also considered the intermolecular geometries, such as the H-bond distance and the angle in terms of the methyl group substitution effect.     

Infrared spectra of the water-nitrogen complexes (H2O)2-(N2)n(n = 1-4) in argon matrices

The infrared spectra of the water-nitrogen complexes trapped in argon matrices have been studied with Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. The absorption lines of the H20-N2 1:1, 1:2, 1:n, and 2:1 complexes have been confirmed on the basis of the concentration effects. In addition, we have observed a few lines and propose the assignments for the 2:2, 2:3, and 2:4 complexes in the nu1 symmetric stretching and nu2 bending regions of the proton-acceptor molecule, and in the bonded OH stretching region of the proton-donor molecule. The redshifts in the bonded OH stretching mode and blueshifts in the OH bending mode suggest that the hydrogen bonds in the (H2O)2-(N2)n complexes with n = 1-4 are strengthened by the cooperative effects compared to the pure H2O dimer. Two absorption bands due to the 3:n complexes are also observed near the bonded OH stretching region of the H2O trimer.     

S K-edge X-ray absorption studies of tetranuclear iron-sulfur clusters: mu-sulfide bonding and its contribution to electron delocalization.

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) at the sulfur ( approximately 2470 eV) and chlorine ( approximately 2822 eV) K-edges has been applied to a series of 4Fe-4S model complexes. These are compared to 2Fe-2S model complexes to obtain insight into the localized ground state in the mixed-valence dimer versus the delocalized ground state in the mixed-valence tetramer. The preedges of hypothetical delocalized mixed-valence dimers [Fe(2)S(2)](+) are estimated using trends from experimental data and density functional calculations, for comparison to the delocalized mixed-valence tetramer [Fe(4)S(4)](2+). The differences between these two mixed-valence sites are due to the change of the sulfide-bridging mode from micro(2) to micro(3). The terminal chloride and thiolate ligands are used as spectator ligands for the electron density of the iron center. From the intensity of the preedge, the covalency of the terminal ligands is found to increase in the tetramer as compared to the dimer. This is associated with a higher effective nuclear charge on the iron in the tetramer (derived from the energies of the preedge). The micro(3)-bridging sulfide in the tetramer has a reduced covalency per bond (39%) as compared to the micro(2)-bridging sulfide in the dimer (51%). A simple perturbation model is used to derive a quadratic dependence of the superexchange coupling constant J on the covalency of the metal ions with the bridging ligands. This relationship is used to estimate the superexchange contribution in the tetramer (J = -156 cm(-)(1)) as compared to the mixed-valence dimer (J = -360 cm(-)(1)). These results, combined with estimates for the double exchange and the vibronic coupling contributions of the dimer sub-site of the tetramer, lead to a delocalized S(t) = (9)/(2) spin ground state for the mixed-valence dimer in the tetramer. Thus, the decrease in the covalency, hence the superexchange pathway associated with changing the bridging mode of the sulfides from micro(2) to micro(3) on going from the dimer to the tetramer, significantly contributes to the delocalization of the excess electron over the dimer sub-site in the tetramer.     

High-resolution IR studies of hydrogen bonded clusters: large amplitude dynamics in (HCl)n

Structural and dynamical information on small hydrogen-bonded systems is revealed by high-resolution IR spectroscopy of HCl dimer, trimer and tetramer. In (HCl)2, four combination bands tentatively assigned to the Van der Waals stretch nu 4 and geared band nu 5 vibrations are observed. The study focuses on two unexpected results: (i) all of the observed bands are built only on the bound HCl stretch nu 2, and (ii) the bands predominantly originate from the 9-fold less populated upper tunneling level of the ground state. Model 3D quantum calculations are presented to show that both these surprising trends originate from the large amplitude tunneling dynamics in the dimer. The (HCl)3 spectra are assigned and analyzed for multiple isotopomeric contributions. The spectral fit reveals large homogeneous line broadening indicating the excited state lifetime of approximately 1.6 ns and tentatively associated with dynamics of intramolecular vibrational energy distribution (IVR) induced trimer ring opening. Finally, first high-resolution data on the HCl stretch fundamental spectrum of (HCl)4 are presented.     

Molecular vibrations of [n]oligoacenes (n=2-5 and 10) and phonon dispersion relations of polyacene

As model compounds for nanosize carbon clusters, the phonon dispersion curves of polyacene are constructed based on density functional theory calculations for [n]oligoacenes (n=2-5, 10, and 15). Complete vibrational assignments are given for the observed Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectra of [n]oligoacenes (n=2-5). Raman intensity distributions by the 1064-nm excitation are well reproduced by the polarizability-approximation calculations for naphthalene and anthracene, whereas several bands of naphthacene and pentacene at 1700-1100 cm(-1) are calculated to be enhanced by the resonance Raman effect. It is found from vibronic calculations that the coupled a(g) modes between the Kekulé deformation and joint CC stretching give rise to the Raman enhancements of the Franck-Condon type, and that the b(3g) mode corresponding to the graphite G mode is enhanced by vibronic coupling between the (1)L(a)((1)B(1u)) and (1)B(b)((1)B(2u)) states. The phonon dispersion curves of polyacene provide a uniform foundation for understanding molecular vibrations of the oligoacenes in terms of the phase difference. The mode correlated with the defect-sensitive D mode of the bulk carbon networks is also found for the present one-dimensional system.     

Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectra of proton- and sodium ion-bound glycine dimers in the N-H and O-H stretching region

The proton- and the sodium ion-bound glycine homodimers are studied by a combination of infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy in the N-H and O-H stretching region and electronic structure calculations. For the proton-bound glycine dimer, in the region above 3100 cm (-1), the present spectrum agrees well with one recorded previously. The present work also reveals a weak, broad absorption spanning the region from 2650 to 3300 cm (-1). This feature is assigned to the strongly hydrogen-bonded and anharmonic N-H and O-H stretching modes. As well, the shared proton stretch is observed at 2440 cm (-1). The IRMPD spectra for the proton-bound glycine dimer confirms that the lowest energy structure is an ion-dipole complex between N-protonated glycine and the carboxyl group of the second glycine. This spectrum also helps to eliminate the existence of any of the higher-energy structures considered. The IRMPD spectrum for the sodium ion-bound dimer is a much simpler spectrum consisting of three bands assigned to the O-H stretch and the asymmetric and symmetric NH 2 stretching modes. The positions of these bands are very similar to those observed for the proton-bound glycine dimer. Numerous structures were considered and the experimental spectrum agrees with the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) predicted spectrum for the lowest energy structure, two bidentate glycine molecules bound to Na (+). Though some of the structures cannot be completely ruled out by comparing the experimental and theoretical spectra, they are energetically disfavored by at least 20 kJ mol (-1).     

Infrared predissociation spectroscopy of ammonia cluster cations (NH3)n+ (n=2-4) produced by vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization

Infrared predissociation spectroscopy of vacuum ultraviolet-pumped ion (IRPDS-VUV-PI) is performed on ammonia cluster cations (NH3)n+ (n=2-4) that are produced by VUV photoionization in supersonic jets. The structures of (NH3)2+ and (NH3)4+ are determined through the observation of infrared spectra and vibrational calculations based on ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-31G** and 6-31++G** levels. (NH3)2+ is found to be of the "hydrogen-transferred" form having the (H3N+-...NH2) composition. In contrast, (NH3)4+ exhibits the "head-to-head" dimer cation (H3...NH3+ core structure, where the positive charge is shared between two ammonia molecules in the core, and two other molecules are hydrogen bonded onto the core. An unequivocal assignment of the infrared spectrum of (NH3)3+ has not been achieved, because the presence of two isomeric structures could be suggested by the observed spectrum and theoretical calculations.