Pulsed-field ionization electron spectroscopy and ab initio calculations of copper-diazine complexes

Copper complexes of pyrazine (1,4-C4H4N2), pyrimidine (1,3-C4H4N2), and pyridazine (1,2-C4H4N2) are produced in laser-vaporization supersonic molecular beams and studied by pulsed-field ionization zero electron kinetic energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy and second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory. Both sigma and pi complexes are considered by these ab initio calculations; only sigma structures are identified in these experiments. Adiabatic ionization energies and metal-ligand vibrational frequencies of the sigma complexes are measured from the ZEKE spectra. Metal-ligand bond dissociation energies of these complexes are obtained from a thermochemical cycle. The ionization energies follow the trend of Cu pyridazine (43,054 cm(-1)) < Cu pyrimidine (45,332 cm(-1)) < Cu pyrazine (46,038 cm(-1)); the bond energies are in the order of Cu pyridazine (56.2 kJ mol(-1)) > Cu pyrazine (48.5 kJ mol(-1)) approximately Cu pyrimidine (46.4 kJ mol(-1)). The stronger binding of pyridazine is due to its larger electric dipole moment and possibly bidentate binding.     

Rovibrational spectra of ammonia. II. Detailed analysis, comparison, and prediction of spectroscopic assignments for 14NH3, 15NH3, and 14ND3

Several aspects of ammonia rovibrational spectra have been investigated using the new HSL-2 potential energy surface that includes an approximate correction for nonadiabatic effects. The unprecedented accuracy of rovibrational energy levels and transition energies computed using HSL-2 was demonstrated in Part I of this study. For (14)NH(3), new assignments for a few ν(3) + ν(4) band transitions and energy levels are suggested, and discrepancies between computed and HITRAN energy levels in the 2ν(4) band are analyzed (2ν(4) is the most difficult band below 5000 cm(-1)). New assignments are suggested for existing or missing 2ν(4) levels. Several new vibrational bands are identified from existing, unassigned HITRAN data, including 2ν(2) + ν(4), (ν(3) + ν(4)) -A(')∕A("), ν(1) + 2ν(2), and 2ν(2) + 2ν(4). The strong mixing between the 2ν(4) and 2ν(2) + ν(4) bands is carefully examined and found to be the source of the difficulties in the experimental modeling of 2ν(4). Discussion is presented for preliminary J = 10 results, where the overall root-mean-square error is estimated to be less than 0.039 cm(-1). The analysis of the 4ν(2) band demonstrates both the reliability and the accuracy of predictions from HSL-2. The full list of computed J = 0 band origins (with assignments) and the inversion splittings up to 7000-8000 cm(-1) above the zero-point energy are presented. J = 0-2 levels are reported for those bands below 5100 cm(-1) that are missing from the HITRAN database. For (15)NH(3), excellent agreement is found for the available ν(2) and ν(3) + ν(4)(E) transition energies, but significant deficiencies are shown for HITRAN levels and several corrections are suggested. The (15)N isotopic effects are presented for the J = 0-6 levels of 13 HITRAN bands. For (14)ND(3), we reproduce the pure rotational inversion spectra line frequencies with an accuracy similar to that for (14)NH(3). However, it is not possible to reproduce simultaneously all four pairs of inversion-split vibrational fundamentals to better than 0.05 cm(-1) uncertainty. It is suggested that a reanalysis of some suspicious (14)ND(3) fundamental bands is required. The analyses presented here and in Part I show that rovibrational energy levels and transition frequencies computed with HSL-2 (with nonadiabatic corrections) remain highly accurate well beyond the experimental data used in the refinement procedure. Calculations using HSL-2 are capable of revealing many deficiencies in experimental analyses of ammonia spectra and provide reliable predictions with similar accuracy. It is expected that the results of this study will be useful in the future interpretation of high-resolution spectra from laboratory experiments or from astronomical observations. The present work represents a very significant advance in the state of our knowledge of the spectroscopy of ammonia and its isotopologues.     

Unimolecular reactivity of strong metal-cation complexes in the gas phase: ethylenediamine-Cu(+)

The gas-phase reactions between ethylenediamine (en) and Cu(+) have been investigated by means of mass spectrometry techniques. The MIKE spectrum reveals that the adduct ions [Cu(+)(H(2)NCH(2)CH(2)NH(2))] spontaneously decompose by loosing H(2), NH(3) and HCu, the loss of hydrogen being clearly dominant. The spectra of the fully C-deuterated species show the loss of HD, NH(3) and CuD but no losses of H(2), D(2), NH(2)D, NHD(2), ND(3) or CuH are observed. This clearly excludes hydrogen exchange between the methylene and the amino groups as possible mechanisms for the loss of ammonia. Conversely, methylene hydrogen atoms are clearly involved in the loss of molecular hydrogen. The structures and bonding characteristics of the Cu(+)(en) complexes as well as the different stationary points of the corresponding potential energy surface (PES) have been theoretically studied by DFT calculations carried out at B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level. Based on the topology of this PES the most plausible mechanisms for the aforementioned unimolecular fragmentations are proposed. Our theoretical estimates indicate that Cu(+) strongly binds to en, by forming a chelated structure in which Cu(+) is bridging between both amino groups. The binding energy is quite high (84 kcal mol(-1)), but also the products of the unimolecular decomposition of Cu(+)(en) complexes are strongly bound Cu(+)-complexes.     

Spectroscopy and structures of copper complexes with ethylenediamine and methyl-substituted derivatives

Copper complexes of ethylenediamine (en), N-methylethylenediamine (meen), N,N-dimethylethylenediamine (dmen), N,N,N'-trimethylethylenediamine (tren), and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (tmen) are synthesized in laser-vaporization supersonic molecular beams and studied by pulsed-field ionization zero electron kinetic energy (ZEKE) and photoionization efficiency spectroscopies and second-order Moller-Plesset perturbation theory. Precise ionization energies and vibrational frequencies of Cu-en, -meen, and -dmen are measured from the ZEKE spectra, and ionization thresholds of Cu-tren and -tmen are estimated from the photoionization efficiency spectra. The measured vibrational modes span a frequency range of 35-1646 cm(-1) and include metal-ligand stretch and bend, hydrogen-bond stretch, and ligand-based torsion. A number of low-energy structures with Cu binding to one or two nitrogen atoms are predicted for each complex by the ab initio calculations. The combination of the spectroscopic measurements and ab initio calculations has identified a hydrogen-bond-stabilized monodentate structure for the Cu-en complex and bidentate cyclic structures for the methyl-substituted derivatives. The change of the Cu binding from the monodentate to the bidentate mode arises from the competition between copper coordination and hydrogen bonding.     

Dissociative recombination of NH4+ and ND4+ ions: storage ring experiments and ab initio molecular dynamics

The dissociative recombination (DR) process of NH4+ and ND4+ molecular ions with free electrons has been studied at the heavy-ion storage ring CRYRING (Manne Siegbahn Laboratory, Stockholm University). The absolute cross sections for DR of NH4+ and ND4+ in the collision energy range 0.001-1 eV are reported, and thermal rate coefficients for the temperature interval from 10 to 2000 K are calculated from the experimental data. The absolute cross section for NH4+ agrees well with earlier work and is about a factor of 2 larger than the cross section for ND4+. The dissociative recombination of NH4+ is dominated by the product channels NH3+H (0.85+/-0.04) and NH2+2H (0.13+/-0.01), while the DR of ND4+ mainly results in ND3+D (0.94+/-0.03). Ab initio direct dynamics simulations, based on the assumption that the dissociation dynamics is governed by the neutral ground-state potential energy surface, suggest that the primary product formed in the DR process is NH3+H. The ejection of the H atom is direct and leaves the NH3 molecule highly vibrationally excited. A fraction of the excited ammonia molecules may subsequently undergo secondary fragmentation forming NH2+H. It is concluded that the model results are consistent with gross features of the experimental results, including the sensitivity of the branching ratio for the three-body channel NH2+2H to isotopic exchange.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory of puckered ring structures of Group 13 metal-ethylenediamine

The ethylenediamine (en) complexes of Al, Ga, and In atoms were prepared in laser-vaporization supersonic molecular beams and studied with pulsed field ionization zero electron kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory. Several conformers of each metal complex are obtained by B3LYP calculations, and a five-membered cyclic structure is identified by combining the experimental measurements and theoretical calculations. Adiabatic ionization potentials, vibrational frequencies, and bond dissociation energies are determined for the ring structure. The ionization potentials of the Al, Ga, and In species are measured to be 32 784 (5), 33 324 (5), and 33 637 (7) cm(-1), respectively, and metal-ligand dissociation energies of the ionic and neutral complexes are calculated to be 60.2/16.2 (Al(+)/Al), 55.5/13.0 (Ga(+)/Ga), and 50.0/11.4 (In(+)/In) kcal mol(-1). Metal-ligand stretch and bend as well as a number of ligand-based vibrations are measured. Harmonic frequencies and anharmonicities of the M(+)-N (M=Al,Ga,In) stretch are determined for all three M(+)-en ions and the C-C-N bend of Ga(+)-en and In(+)-en. In comparison to monodentate methylamine, the bidentate binding of ethylenediamine leads to a significantly lower ionization potential and higher metal-ligand bond strength of the metal complexes.     

Conformational stability, vibrational assignmenents, barriers to internal rotations and ab initio calculations of 2-aminophenol (d 0 and d3)

The Raman (3700-100 cm(-1)) and infrared (4000-400 cm(-1)) spectra of solid 2-aminophenol (2AP) have been recorded. The internal rotation of both OH and NH2 moieties produce ten conformers with either Cs or C1 symmetry. However, the calculated energies as well as the imaginary vibrational frequencies reduce rotational isomerism to five isomers. The molecular geometry has been optimized without any constraints using RHF, MP2 and B3LYP levels of theory at 6-31G(d), 6-311+G(d) and 6-31++G(d,p) basis sets. All calculations predict 1 (cis; OH is directed towards NH2) to be the most stable conformation except RHF/6-31++G(d,p) basis set. The 1 (cis) isomer is found to be more stable than 8 (trans; OH is away from the NH2 moiety and the NH bonds are out-of-plane) by 1.7 kcal/mol (598 cm(-1)) as obtained from MP2/6-31G(d) calculations. Aided by experimental and theoretical vibrational spectra, cis and trans 2AP are coexist in solution but cis isomer is more likely present in the crystalline state. Aided by MP2 and B3LYP frequency calculations, molecular force fields, simulated vibrational spectra utilizing 6-31G(d) basis set as well as normal coordinate analysis, complete vibrational assignments for HOC6H4NH2 and DOC6H4ND2 have been proposed. Furthermore, we carried out potential surface scan, to determine the barriers to internal rotations of NH2 and OH groups. All results are reported herein and compared with similar molecules when appropriate.     

Vibrational analyses of vinylsulfonamide CH2CHSO2NH2

The structure and conformational stability of vinylsulfonamide CH2CHSO2NH2 were investigated by DFT-B3LYP/6-311+G** and ab initio MP2/6-311+G** calculations. From the calculations the molecule was predicted to exist predominantly in the gauche-syn (vinyl group nearly eclipses one of the SO bonds and the NH2 and the SO2 moieties eclipse each other) conformation with the possibility of low abundance of the cis-syn and the gauche-anti forms. The asymmetric potential function for the internal rotation about CS bond was determined for the molecule. The vibrational frequencies were computed at DFT-B3LYP level for the gauche-syn conformer of the molecule and its d2(C2H3SO2ND2) and d3(C2D3SO2NH2) deuterated species. Normal coordinate calculations were then carried out and the potential energy distributions were calculated for the molecule.     

Imaging the state-specific vibrational predissociation of the C2H2-NH3 hydrogen-bonded dimer

The state-to-state vibrational predissociation (VP) dynamics of the hydrogen-bonded ammonia-acetylene dimer were studied following excitation in the asymmetric CH stretch. Velocity map imaging (VMI) and resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) were used to determine pair-correlated product energy distributions. Following vibrational excitation of the asymmetric CH stretch fundamental, ammonia fragments were detected by 2 + 1 REMPI via the B1E' <-- X1A1' and C'1A1' <-- X1A1' transitions. The fragments' center-of-mass (c.m.) translational energy distributions were determined from images of selected rotational levels of ammonia with one or two quanta in the symmetric bend (nu2 umbrella mode) and were converted to rotational-state distributions of the acetylene co-fragment. The latter is always generated with one or two quanta of bending excitation. All the distributions could be fit well when using a dimer dissociation energy of D0 = 900 +/- 10 cm(-1). Only channels with maximum translational energy <150 cm(-1) are observed. The rotational excitation in the ammonia fragments is modest and can be fit by temperatures of 150 +/- 50 and 50 +/- 20 K for 1nu2 and 2nu2, respectively. The rotational distributions in the acetylene co-fragment pair-correlated with specific rovibrational states of ammonia appear statistical as well. The vibrational-state distributions, however, show distinct state specificity among channels with low translational energy release. The predominant channel is NH3(1nu2) + C2H2(2nu4 or 1nu4 + 1nu5), where nu4 and nu5 are the trans- and cis-bend vibrations of acetylene, respectively. A second observed channel, with much lower population, is NH3(2nu2) + C2H2(1nu4). No products are generated in which the ammonia is in the vibrational ground state or the asymmetric bend (1nu4) state, nor is acetylene ever generated in the ground vibrational state or with CC stretch excitation. The angular momentum (AM) model of McCaffery and Marsh is used to estimate impact parameters in the internal collisions that give rise to the observed rotational distributions. These calculations show that dissociation takes place from bent geometries, which can also explain the propensity to excite fragment bending levels. The low recoil velocities associated with the observed channels facilitate energy exchange in the exit channel, which results in statistical-like fragment rotational distributions.     

Dissociative recombination of ammonia clusters studied by storage ring experiments

Dissociative recombination of ammonia cluster ions with free electrons has been studied at the heavy-ion storage ring CRYRING (Manne Siegbahn Laboratory, Stockholm University). The absolute cross sections for dissociative recombination of H+(NH3)2, H+(NH3)3, D+(ND3)2, and D+(ND3)3 in the collision energy range of 0.001-27 eV are reported, and thermal rate coefficients for the temperature interval from 10 to 1000 K are calculated from the experimental data and compared with earlier results. The fragmentation patterns for the two ions H+(NH3)2 and D+(ND3)2 show no clear isotope effect. Dissociative recombination of X+(NX3)2 (X=H or D) is dominated by the product channels 2NX3+X [0.95+/-0.02 for H+(NH3)2 and 1.00+/-0.02 for D+(ND3)2]. Dissociative recombination of D+(ND3)3 is dominated by the channels yielding three N-containing fragments (0.95+/-0.05).     

Exploring Renner-Teller induced quenching in the reaction H(2S)+NH(a 1Delta): a combined experimental and theoretical study

Experimental rate coefficients for the removal of NH(a (1)Delta) and ND(a (1)Delta) in collisions with H and D atoms are presented; all four isotope combinations are considered: NH+H, NH+D, ND+H, and ND+D. The experiments were performed in a quasistatic laser-flash photolysis/laser-induced fluorescence system at low pressures. NH(a (1)Delta) and ND(a (1)Delta) were generated by photolysis of HN(3) and DN(3), respectively. The total removal rate coefficients at room temperature are in the range of (3-5)x10(13) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1). For two isotope combinations, NH+H and NH+D, quenching rate coefficients for the production of NH(X (3)Sigma(-)) or ND(X (3)Sigma(-)) were also determined; they are in the range of 1 x 10(13) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1). The quenching rate coefficients directly reflect the strength of the Renner-Teller coupling between the (2)A(") and (2)A(') electronic states near linearity and so can be used to test theoretical models for describing this nonadiabatic process. The title reaction was modeled with a simple surface-hopping approach including a single parameter, which was adjusted to reproduce the quenching rate for NH+H; the same parameter value was used for all isotope combinations. The agreement with the measured total removal rate is good for all but one isotope combination. However, the quenching rates for the NH+D combination are only in fair (factor of 2) agreement with the corresponding measured data.     

Formation and photoinduced electron ejection of amminedicyanocuprate(I) and cyano-bridged trinuclear copper(I) complexes in aqueous ammonia solution

UV absorption spectral evidence confirms that a mixed-ligand complex, Cu(CN)(2)(NH(3))(-), is formed in an aqueous solution of KCu(CN)(2) and ammonia. The stepwise stability constant for the reaction, Cu(CN)(2)(-) + NH(3) = Cu(CN)(2)(NH(3))(-), is 2.80 +/- 0.40 in 1 M ionic strength, NaClO(4) medium at 25 degrees C. This amminedicyanocuprate(I) ion readily combines in aqueous solution in a 1:2 and 2:1 molar ratios with Cu(NH(3))(2)(+) to form two trinuclear ionic species, presumably with cyano bridges, with the suggested formulas of Cu(3)(CN)(2)(NH(3))(5)(+) and Cu(3)(CN)(4)(NH(3))(3)(-). The resolved UV absorption spectra of the monomer and two trimers have been determined and exhibit strong bands, presumably metal-ligand charge transfer in nature, in the 200-250-nm region. When solutions of all three complexes absorb a pulse of 266-nm laser light, they photoeject hydrated electrons monophotonically, with quantum yields of 0.41 +/- 0.02, 0.53 +/- 0.02, and 0.50 +/- 0.01 for the monomer, cationic trimer, and anionic trimer, respectively, suggesting that absorption in the charge-transfer-to-solvent bands of these complexes results in an efficient electron ejection process that is enhanced by the existence of a polynuclear structure with cyano bridges. No room-temperature luminescence is observed for these complexes.     

Electron spectroscopy, molecular structures, and binding energies of Al- and Cu-imidazole

Al- and Cu-imidazole are produced in laser-vaporization supersonic molecular beams and studied with pulsed field ionization-zero electron kinetic energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy and second-order M?ller-Plesset (MP2) theory. The sigma and pi structures of these complexes are predicted by MP2 calculations, but only the sigma structures are identified by the experimental measurements. For these sigma structures, adiabatic ionization energies and several vibrational frequencies are measured from the ZEKE spectra, the ground electronic states of the neutral and ionized complexes are determined by comparing the observed and calculated spectra, and the metal-ligand bond dissociation energies of the neutral states are derived by using a thermochemical relation. The measured vibrational modes include the metal-ligand stretch and bend and ligand ring distortions. The metal-ligand stretch frequencies of these transient complexes are compared with those of coordinately saturated, stable metal compounds, and the ligand-based distortion frequencies are compared with those of the free ligand. Al-imidazole has a larger bond dissociation energy than Cu-imidazole, although the opposite order was previously found for the corresponding ions. The weaker bonding of the Cu complex is attributed to the antibonding interaction and the electron repulsion between the Cu 4s and N lone-pair electrons.     

Structures of small Li(NH3)n and Li(NH3)n+ clusters (n = 1-5): evidence from combined photoionization efficiency measurements and ab initio calculations

Photoionization threshold measurements have been carried out for small Li(NH3)n clusters (n = 1-5) and have been combined with ab initio calculations to determine structural information. The calculated adiabatic ionization energy for the lowest-energy isomer of each cluster is found to be in excellent agreement with the corresponding experimental photoionization threshold, providing evidence that the calculated structures are correct. The combination of the photoionization efficiency curve and the calculated adiabatic ionization energies also confirms the tentative assignment of the infrared spectrum of Li(NH3)4 reported by Salter and co-workers (J. Chem. Phys. 2006, 125, 34302); i.e., the 3 + 1 isomer does not contribute and the spectrum is due solely to the 4 + 0 isomer. The findings are consistent with an inner solvation shell that can hold a maximum of four ammonia molecules around the central lithium atom.     

Fundamental vibrational frequencies and dominant resonances in methylamine isotopologues by ab initio and density functional theory methods

Ab initio and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed for obtaining fundamental vibrational frequencies of methylamine, CH3NH2, and its deuterated variants CH3ND2, CD3NH2, and CD3ND2. The calculations were carried out using the CCSD(T) coupled cluster approximation with cc-pVTZ and cc-pVQZ basis sets, and by the DFT method with the semiempirical hybrid functional B97-1 with polarization consistent pc-2 and pc-3 basis sets. Reasonable performance of the DFT harmonic and ab initio harmonic calculations was found, which improved considerably upon combination of the harmonic fundamental frequencies with anharmonic corrections from the smaller, pc-2, basis. The computed anharmonic fundamental frequencies of methylamine isotopologues agree very well with the experimental values and represent a useful tool for assignment and analysis of the dominant resonances.     

Reversible hydrogenation of surface N atoms to form NH on Pt(111)

The formation and dissociation chemistry of the NH species on Pt(111) was characterized with reflection absorption infrared spectroscopy and temperature programmed desorption. Irradiation of a chemisorbed bilayer of ammonia with a 100 eV electron beam at 85 K leads to a mixture of NH, N, and H on the surface. Annealing to temperatures in the range of 200-300 K leads to reaction of N and H to form additional NH. The NH species has an intense and narrow NH stretch peak at 3320 cm(-1), while no peak due to the PtNH bend is observed above 800 cm(-1). The NH species is stable up to a temperature of approximately 400 K. The surface N atoms produced from NH dissociation are readily hydrogenated back to NH by exposure of the surface to H2. However, NH cannot be further hydrogenated to generate adsorbed NH2 or to NH3 under the conditions used here. Exposure of the NH/Pt(111) surface to D2 at 380 K produces the ND species. Comparison with the results of density functional theory calculations based on small Pt clusters indicates that NH occupies three-fold hollow sites with the molecular axis perpendicular to the surface.     

Vibrational analyses of sulfamoyl halides NH2SO2X (X is F, Cl and Br)

The structural stability of sulfamoyl halides NH(2)-SO(2)X (X is F, Cl and Br) were investigated by DFT-B3LYP/6-311+G** and ab initio MP2/6-311+G** calculations. From the calculations the molecules were predicted to exist only in the anti (XS bond is anti with respect to nitrogen lone pair) conformation with the possibility of very low abundance of the syn (SO(2) and NH(2) groups eclipse each other) form of only the fluoride. The equilibrium constant for the syn<-->anti conformational conversion of sulfamoyl fluoride was calculated to be 0.0172 that corresponds to an equilibrium mixture of about 2% syn and 98% anti at 298.15K. The vibrational frequencies were computed at DFT-B3LYP level for the stable anti conformer of the d(0) and d(2) (ND(2)-SO(2)X) deuterated species of the three molecules. Normal coordinate calculations were then carried out and the potential energy distributions were calculated for the molecules.     

Bonding analyses, formation energies, and vibrational properties of M-R2dtc complexes (M=Ag(I), Ni(II), Cu(II), or Zn(II))

Detailed theoretical studies based on density functional theory (DFT)/B3LYP calculations of dimethyl- and diethyldithiocarbamate complexes of Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ag(I) are performed to characterize the metal-ligand bonding type as well as the metal-ligand bonding strength depending on the metal and the dialkyl substituent. The metal-ligand interactions in the studied complexes are investigated by means of charge decomposition analysis, energy partitioning analysis (EPA), and natural bond orbital analysis. According to the EPA calculations, the electrostatic attraction is the dominant contribution to the M-S2(R2dtc) (dtc=dithiocarbamate) bonding. The electrostatic and the orbital energies follow the order of the total binding energy, and hence both contributions are responsible for the binding energy order of M(R2dtc)2 complexes. The stability of the M(R2dtc)2 complexes is estimated by means of calculated formation reaction energies in the gas phase and solution, and it decreases in the order Ni(R2dtc)2>Cu(R2dtc)2>Zn(R2dtc)2. Larger formation reaction energies are found for M(Et2dtc)2 than for M(Me2dtc)2 complexes. The calculations predict stabilization of M(II)(R2dtc)2 complexes going from the gas phase to a polar solvent and destabilization of the bidentate AgR2dtc complex in a polar solvent. Gas-phase frequency calculations of all possible bonding types, symmetrical, asymmetrical, and uni- and bidentate, predict one band due to the nu(CS) IR absorption, and therefore the number of the bands in the 1060-920 cm(-1) region could not be used to discern the metal-ligand bonding type. Periodic DFT frequency calculations for Cu(Et2dtc)2 reveal that the splitting observed in the solid-state spectra of the complexes arises from the nonplanar MS4 fragment and intermolecular contacts but not from asymmetrical bonding. The calculations suggest that the important vibrational characteristic that can be used to discern uni- and bidentate bonding is the Raman activity of the nu(CS) band: It is very high for the unidentate dtc bonding (nu(C=S)) and low for the bidentate bonding (nuas(CS)).     

Dissociation energy and vibrational predissociation dynamics of the ammonia dimer

Experiments using infrared excitation of either the intramolecular symmetric N-H stretch (ν(NH,S)) or the intramolecular antisymmetric N-H stretch (ν(NH,A)) of the ammonia dimer ((NH(3))(2)) in combination with velocity-map ion imaging provide new information on the dissociation energy of the dimer and on the energy disposal in its dissociation. Ion imaging using resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization to probe individual rovibrational states of one of the ammonia monomer fragments provides recoil speed distributions. Analyzing these distributions for different product states gives a dissociation energy of D(0) = 660 ± 20 cm(-1) for the dimer. Fitting the distributions shows that rotations are excited up to their energetic limit and determines the correlation of the fragment vibrations. The fragments NH(3)(ν(2) = 3(+)) and NH(3)(ν(2) = 2(+)) have a vibrational ground-state partner NH(3)(ν = 0), but NH(3)(ν(2) = 1(+)) appears in partnership with another fragment in ν(2) = 1. This propensity is consistent with the idea of minimizing the momentum gap between the initial and final states by depositing a substantial fraction of the available energy into internal excitation.     

Theoretical study of the F + NH3 and F + ND3 reactions: mechanism and comparison with experiment

We study the barrierless and highly exothermic F + NH(3) and F + ND(3) abstraction reactions using quasiclassical trajectory calculations based on an analytical potential energy surface developed in our research group. The calculations correctly reproduce the experimental evidence that the vibrational fraction deposited into the DF product for the F + ND(3) reaction is greater than into HF for the F + NH(3) reaction and that the vibrational distribution is inverted in the HF(v') and the DF(v') products. Of special interest is that recent crossed-beam experiments reported by Yang and co-workers at 4.5 kcal mol(-1) are reproduced for both reactions, with a mainly forward symmetry associated with direct trajectories, and a small sideways-backward symmetry contribution associated with "nearly trapped" trajectories due to a "yo-yo" mechanism, different from the previously suggested mechanism of a long-lived complex.