Experimental and theoretical binding energy spectra and momentum distributions for the valence orbitals of H2O

The binding energy spectra (10–46 eV) and momentum distributions of the valence orbitals of H₂O have been measured using a new high-sensitivity binary (e,2e) electron spectrometer employing position-sensitive detectors. The binding energy spectrum shows a previously unreported feature at = 27 eV which is shown to be associated with the (2a₁)^?1 ionization process. The region between 25 and 46 eV is compared with previous (e,2e) and X-ray photoelectron measurements as well as with several existing and new many-body calculations indicating a splitting of the 2a₁ ionization pole strength. In addition the separate momentum distributions of the three outer valence orbitals of H₂O have been obtained from deconvoluted binding energy spectra run at a series of azimuthal angles. The results, which show considerably improved signal-to-noise ratio over earlier measurements using single-channel instrumentation are compared with spherically averaged momentum distributions calculated with a variety of wavefunctions.     

Valence electronic structure of CH3Br and CH3I: Electron momentum distributions and separation energies

Bromomethane (CH₃Br) and iodomethane (CH₃I) have been studied by binary (e,2e) coincidence spectroscopy at 1200 eV using non-coplanar symmetric kinematics. Separation energy spectra have been determined in the energy range up to 47 eV at azimuthal angles of 0° and 8° for CH₃Br and 0° and 6° for CH₃I. The separation energy spectra and the electron momentum distributions measured for each of the valence orbitals are compared with theoretical predictions employing SCF wavefunctions and outer valence type and extended 2 ph-TDA Green function calculations. Electron density and momentum density maps have been calculated for all the valence orbitals using the SCF wavefunctions, and they are used to explain trends and contrasts in the electronic structure and bonding properties of these halomethanes in both position and momentum space.     

Binary (e,2e) spectroscopic study of carbonyl sulfide and the momentum-space chemistry of CO2, CS2 and OCS

The valence-shell binding energy spectra (8–44 eV) and molecular orbital momentum distributions of OCS have been studied by non-coplanar symmetric binary (e,2e) spectroscopy. Existing theoretical binding energy spectra calculated using the many-body 2ph-TDA Green's function (GF) method and using the symmetry-adapted cluster (SAC) on method are compared with the experiment. Intense many-body structure in the measured and calculated binding energy spectra indicates the general breakdown of the independent particle ionization picture. Experimental momentum distributions are compared with those calculated using ab initio SCF wavefunctions of minimal basis set quality and of near Hartree—Fock quality. Excellent agreement between the experimental momentum distributions and those calculated by the near Hartree—Fock wavefunction is obtained for the three innermost valence orbitals: 8σ, 7σ and 6σ. The correct order of the close lying outer-valence 2π and 9σ orbitals is unambiguously identified from the shapes of the measured momentum distributions. Momentum and position contour density maps computed from theoretical wavefunctions of near Hartree—Fock quality are used to interpret the shapes and atomic characters of the observed momentum distributions. The momentum densities of the outermost-valence antibonding π orbitals and of the outermost-valence bonding σ orbitals of the linear triatomic group: CO₂, CS₂ and OCS are compared respectively with each other. The associated chemical trends are discussed within the existing framework of momentum-space chemical principles.     

Molecular momentum distributions and compton profiles. Effects of bonding on some small molecules

Electronic momentum distributions and Compton profiles have been calculated from minimum basis set SCF wavefunctions for H₂O, H₂O₂, CO, CO₂ and H₂CO. Radial distributions and profiles have also been estimated for these molecules from localized molecular orbitals. The results suggest that (a) the height of the Compton peak, <p^?1>, may be as sensitive to the effects of chemical bonding as the kinetic energy, <p²>/2, and that (b) the virial theorem may provide a more useful criterion than energy minimization in assessing the accuracy of calculated bonding effects and Compton profiles.     

An (e,2e) study of ammonia: Binding energies and momentum distributions of valence electrons

The valence shell electronic structure of NH₃ is studied in an (e,2e) experiment with symmetric non-coplanar geometry. The momentum distributions obtained for the separate orbitals are compared with those calculated from several approximate wavefunctions. The 3a₁ distribution is found to be particularly sensitive to the form of the wavefunction.     

Localized molecular orbital studies in momentum space. I. compton profiles of 1s core electrons and hydrocarbons

The calculations of momentum space properties for the polyatomic molecules CH₄, C₂H₄ and C₂H₆ using localized molecular orbitals of double zeta quality basis sets are presented. The LMO analysis shows that localized and canonical core electrons have different momentum space properties, and that in agreement with the experimental data of Eisenberger and Marra one can distinguish the momentum properties of the CC single and double bonds. The effect of environment on a bond is seen by comparing the CH bond in these three molecules.The concept of electron pair size is introduced as a quantitative guide for interpreting momentun space properties.     

Distribution of Valence Electron Density in C n H m and BnHm Framework and Polyhedral Molecules and Orbital-Reduntant Bonds

In framework molecular cations and radical cations of adamantane C₁₀H _m ^q+ and also in polyhedral molecules and molecular ions C₅H₅ ⁺, C₆H₆ ^{2 +}, B₅H₉, and B₁₀H₁₀ ^{2 -}, the charge density of valence electrons in the central areas of C _n and B _n cavities and faces is significant. In the molecule of adamantane C₁₀H₁₆, the valence electron density in central areas of the cavity and faces of the C₁₀ framework is small as compared to the electron density along its edges C-C. These distinctions are due to the fact that, in the electronic structure of C _n H ^q _m cations and radical cations and also of B _n H _m molecules and molecular ions, there is an additional orbital interaction involving vacant valence orbitals of C⁺ or B (orbital-reduntant bonds); the absence of vacant valence orbitals of C atoms in neutral adamantane molecule excludes additional orbital interactions in excess of C-H and C-C.     

Electron Momentum Spectroscopy of Valence Orbitals of Cyclopentene: Nuclear Dynamics and Distorted Wave Effect

We report a measurement of electron momentum distributions of valence orbitals of cyclopentene employing symmetric noncoplanar (e, 2e) kinematics at impact energies of 1200 and 1600 eV plus the binding energy. Experimental momentum profiles for individual ionization bands are obtained and compared with theoretical calculations considering nuclear dynamics by harmonic analytical quantum mechanical and thermal sampling molecular dynamics approaches. The results demonstrate that molecular vibrational motions including ring-puckering of this flexible cyclic molecule have obvious influences on the electron momentum profiles for the outer valence orbitals, especially in the low momentum region. For π*-like molecular orbitals 3a'', 2a'', and 3a', the impact-energy dependence of the experimental momentum profiles indicates a distorted wave effect.     

Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of the chloro-substituted methanes

The angular distribution parameter, β, was determined for the valence orbitals (IP ′ 21.2 eV) of CCl₄, CHCl₃, CH₂Cl₂, and CH₃Cl in the 10–30 eV photon energy range using dispersed polarized synchrotron radiation. The energy dependence of β in the photoelectron energy range of 2 to 10 eV for the non-bonding chlorine n(Cl) orbitals of these molecules was found to be similar for all n(Cl) orbitals investigated. The energy dependence of β for the σ orbitals in these molecules was similar to that observed previously for other σ orbitals. The experimental CCl₄ results were compared with theoretical CCl₄ results obtained using the Xα multiple scattering formalism. Theory predicts the existence of two strong shape resonances in each of the valence orbitals of CCl₄. The overall agreement between experiment and theory is evaluated along with the experimental evidence concerning the verification of the predicted shape resonances.     

Localized molecular orbitals for polyatomic molecules

Molecular wavefunctions have been generated by the PRDDO (Partial Retention of Diatomic Differential Overlap) method for the monocyclic aromatic rings containing six π-electrons (C₄H ₄ ^?2 , C₅H ₅ ^? , C₆H₆, C₇H ₇ ⁺ , and C₈H ₈ ⁺² ) and ten π-electron species (C₈H ₈ ^?2 , C₉H ₉ ^? , C₁₀H₁₀). The eigenvalue spectra of the canonical molecular orbitals are presented. Localized molecular orbitals (LMO's) generated using the Boys criterion are reported for localizations involving all occupied molecular orbitals (complete localizations) and localizations of the π orbitals only. We find evidence for σ-π separation in the complete localizations for some of these molecules even though the Boys criterion is often biased against such results. We demonstrate for C₆H₆ and find for the other molecules that the π-orbital localizations are indeterminate (i.e. there are an infinite number of equally satisfactory LMO structures between two limiting extremes). This result may be viewed as a corollary of Hückel's (4n+2) rule for aromaticity.     

Molecular valence calculations on cyclohexasulfur,cycloheptasulfur, and cyclooctasulfur

A theoretical study of homocyclic sulfur species S₆, S₇, and S₈ was carried out using a molecular valence method involving stepwise approximations for orthogonality and core-valence interactions. The valence shell orbitals are described at the minimal basis level. The geometries of the molecules are predicted well as compared with other theoretical studies and the experimental values. The slight overestimation of the SS bond length is typical to the nonpolarized basis sets. The energies of the valence orbitals are well in accord with the conventional all-electron ab initio results. The trend in the stabilities of the three molecules is discussed. The present method provides an attractive possibility to study homocyclic and heterocyclic systems involving heavier chalcogens with no increase of the computing time.     

Ab initio calculations on large molecules using molecular fragments First order electronic properties for hydrocarbons

A number of first order electronic properties for the hydrocarbons C₂H₆, C₃H₈, C₂H₄, C₆H₆, and C₁₀H₈ are investigated. The wavefunctions employed here result from SCF calculations, using basis orbitals that have been optimized in molecular fragment studies. Comparisons are made with experimental values as well as with other calculated values, and the suitability of various molecular fragment bases is discussed.     

Investigation of valence orbitals of propene by electron momentum spectroscopy

The binding energy spectra and momentum distributions of all valence orbitals of propene were studied by electron momentum spectroscopy (EMS) as well as Hartree-Fock and density functional theoretical calculations. The experiment was carried out at impact energies of 1200 eV and 600 eV on the state-of-the-art EMS spectrometer developed at Tsinghua University recently. The experimental momentum profiles of the valence orbitals were obtained and compared with the various theoretical calculations. Moreover, the experiment with a new analysis method presents a strong support for the correct ordering of the orbital 8a' and 1a', i.e., 9a' < 8a' < 1a' < 7a'.     

Time‐Dependent Density Functional Theory Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Liquid Water Radiolysis

The early stages of the Coulomb explosion of a doubly ionized water molecule immersed in liquid water are investigated with time‐dependent density functional theory molecular dynamics (TD–DFT MD) simulations. Our aim is to verify that the double ionization of one target water molecule leads to the formation of atomic oxygen as a direct consequence of the Coulomb explosion of the molecule. To that end, we used TD–DFT MD simulations in which effective molecular orbitals are propagated in time. These molecular orbitals are constructed as a unitary transformation of maximally localized Wannier orbitals, and the ionization process was obtained by removing two electrons from the molecular orbitals with symmetry 1B₁, 3A₁, 1B₂ and 2A₁ in turn. We show that the doubly charged H₂O²⁺ molecule explodes into its three atomic fragments in less than 4 fs, which leads to the formation of one isolated oxygen atom whatever the ionized molecular orbital. This process is followed by the ultrafast transfer of an electron to the ionized molecule in the first femtosecond. A faster dissociation pattern can be observed when the electrons are removed from the molecular orbitals of the innermost shell. A Bader analysis of the charges carried by the molecules during the dissociation trajectories is also reported.     

The Valence Orbitals of the Alkaline-Earth Atoms

Quantum chemical calculations of the alkaline-earth oxides, imides and dihydrides of the alkaline-earth atoms (Ae=Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) and the calcium cluster Ca₆H₉[N(SiMe₃)₂]₃(pmdta)₃ (pmdta=N,N,N′,N′′,N′′-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine) have been carried out by using density functional theory. Analysis of the electronic structures by charge and energy partitioning methods suggests that the valence orbitals of the lighter atoms Be and Mg are the (n)s and (n)p orbitals. In contrast, the valence orbitals of the heavier atoms Ca, Sr and Ba comprise the (n)s and (n−1)d orbitals. The alkaline-earth metals Be and Mg build covalent bonds like typical main-group elements, whereas Ca, Sr and Ba covalently bind like transition metals. The results not only shed new light on the covalent bonds of the heavier alkaline-earth metals, but are also very important for understanding and designing experimental studies.     

Outer valence orbital momentum distributions of carbon dioxide by binary (e,2e) spectroscopy

The outer valence orbital momentum distributions of CO₂ have been reinvestigated using a high momentum resolution (0.1 a_o^?1 fwhm) binary (e,2e) spectrometer operated at 1200 eV impact energy under the non-coplanar symmetric scattering condition. Generally good agreement of the measured momentum distributions with theoretical momentum distributions calculated using literature SCF double-zeta quality wavefunctions has been obtained for the 1π_g, (1π_u + 3σ_u) and 4σ_g orbitals. Although there is a reasonable agreement of the measured momentum distributions with earlier low momentum resolution (0.4 a_o^?1 fwhm) non-coplanar measurements at 400 eV impact energy reported by Cook and Brion, given the large differences in the momentum resolutions much more definitive results are obtained in the present study. In particular, the significantly higher momentum resolution clearly shows the mixed s-p character of the 4σ_g orbital. The present study also gives a much better agreement with theory in the case of the 4σ_g momentum distribution. For each orbital the calculated and where possible the experimentally determined spherically averaged momentum distributions are compared and contrasted with their respective two-dimensional momentum and position density maps. These together with three-dimensional surface plots at selected constant density values of the four outermost orbitals are used to provide a detailed comparison of momentum-space bonding and orbital properties with their more familiar position-space counterparts in the CO₂ triatomic molecule. The calculated momentum-space density contour maps of the core orbitals exhibit rather large density oscillations and the feasibility of future experiments is discussed.     

二氟甲烷分子3a1和2b2轨道的电子动量谱

The electron momentum spectroscopy of the inner valence orbitals 3a1 and 2b2 of methylene fluoride was studied by electron momentum spectroscopy（EMS）. The experiment was performed using a high resolution（ΔE=1.15 eV FWHM,Δp=0. 1 a. u.）（e,2e）EMS spectrometer. The experimental momentum profiles of these two orbitals are compared with those calculated by Hartree-Fork method and Density Functional Theory.     

Electronic charge density and mean kinetic energy of lithium orbitals in LiH,LiH+, Li2, Li2+, LiH2+, and Li2H+

The electron density near the lithium nucleus in the species LiH, LiH⁺, Li₂, Li₂⁺, LiH₂⁺, and Li₂H⁺ was analyzed by transforming the SCF molecular orbitals into a sum of atomic contribnutions, for both core and valence orbitals. These “hybrid-atomic” orbitals were used to compare: electron densities, orbital polarizations, and orbital mean kinetic energies with the corresponding lithium atom quantities. Core-orbital electron densities at the lithium nucleus were observed to increase by up to 0.5% relative to the lithium atom 1s orbital. Lithium cores also exhibited polarization but, surprisingly, in the direction away from the internuclear region. Similar dramatic changes were seen in the electron densities of the valence orbitals of lithium: The electron density at the nucleus for these orbitals increased two-fold for homonuclear species and twenty-fold for heteronuclear triatomic species relative to the electron density at the nucleus in lithium atom. The polarization of the valence orbital electronic charge, in the vicinity of the lithium nucleus, was also away from the internuclear region. The mean “hybrid-atomic” orbital kinetic energies associated with the lithium atom in the molecules also showed changes relative to the free lithium atom. Such changes, accompanying bond formation, were relatively small for the lithium core orbitals (within 0.2% of the value for lithium atom). The orbital kinetic energies for the lithium valence electrons, however, increased considerably relative to the lithium atom: By a factor of about 2 in homonuclear diatomics, by a factor of 7 in heteronuclear diatomics, and by a factor of 11 in the triatomic species. In summary, the total electronic density (core plus valence) at the lithium nucleus remained remarkably constant for all of the species studied, regardless of the effective charge on lithium. Thus, the drastic changes noted in the individual lithium orbitals occurred in a cooperative fashion so as to preserve a constant total electron density in the vicinity of the lithium nucleus. In all cases, bond formation was accompanied by an increase in the orbital kinetic energy of the lithium valence orbital. We suggest that these two observations represent important and significant features of chemical bonding which have not previously been emphasized.     

The role of the sulfur 3d orbitals in bond formation in sulfur-containing compounds

The role of the sulfur 3d orbitals in bond formation is discussed by taking into account the influence of the environment on the orbitals of the sulfur atom in the molecules. The calculation results of a series of prototype molecules containing sulfur such as SF₂ SF₄, NSF₃, SF₀, H₂S are reported. It is convincingly shown that in highly electronegative environment the energy levels of the sulfur 3d orbitals are reduced to the vicinity of those of the ligand valence orbitals and their spatial distributions are contracted to the bonding area, and therefore they can participate in bond formation to a certain extent, which is enhanced by the formation of the d-p π back bonds. It seems that the result reported in this paper is helpful for the solution of the long-standing debate about the sulfur 3d orbital participation in bond formation.     

The outer valance orbital electron densities of cyclopentane by binary (e,2e) spectroscopy

The binding energy spectra and electron distributions in momentum space of the valence orbitals of cyclopentane (C(5)H(10)) are studied by Electron Momentum Spectroscopy (EMS) in a noncoplanar symmetric geometry. The impact energy was 1200 eV plus binding energy and energy resolution of the EMS spectrometer was 1.2 eV. The experimental momentum profiles of the outer valence orbitals are compared with the theoretical momentum distributions calculated using Hartree-Fock and density functional theory (DFT) methods. The shapes of the experimental momentum distributions are generally quite well described by both the Hartree-Fock and DFT calculations when the large and diffuse basis sets are used.