Infrared spectra of M(OH)(1,2,3) (M = Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) molecules in solid argon and the character of first row transition metal hydroxide bonding

Reactions of laser-ablated Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni atoms with H(2)O(2) and with H(2) + O(2) mixtures in excess argon give new absorptions in the O-H and M-O stretching regions, which are assigned to metal dihydroxide and trihydroxide molecules, M(OH)(2) and M(OH)(3). Isotopic substitutions (D(2)O(2), (18)O(2), (16,18)O(2), D(2)) confirmed the assignments and DFT calculations reproduced the experimental results. The O-H stretching frequencies decreased in the dihydroxides from Sc to Zn. Mulliken and natural charge distributions indicate significant electron transfer from metal d orbitals to OH ligands that decreases from Sc to Zn, suggesting that the early transition metal hydroxides are more ionic and that the later transition metal hydroxides are more covalent.     

Infrared spectra and density functional calculations for M(OH)(2,3) and HOMO molecules and M(OH)2+ cations (M = Y, La)

Reactions of laser-ablated Y and La atoms with H2O2 gives the M(OH)2 and M(OH)3 molecules and the HOMO dehydration product, and the cation M(OH)2+ in solid argon. Density functional calculations show that the dihydroxide molecules and cations are bent at the metal center, and the symmetric and antisymmetric O-H stretching modes are both observed in the infrared spectra. The trihydroxide molecules have calculated C(3h) structures characterized by strong antisymmetric O-H and M-O stretching modes. Mulliken charges increase for all product molecules going down the Group 3 family and increase as one, two, and three OH ligands are bonded to the metal center. Evidence is also presented for the Y(OH)4- anion.     

Infrared spectra and density functional calculations for the Sc(OH)2,3 and HOScO molecules and the Sc(OH)2+ cation in solid argon

Reactions of laser-ablated Sc atoms with H2O2 molecules or H2 and O2 mixtures in excess solid argon gives four major new products, which are identified from concentration dependence, isotopic substitution, the effect of electron trap doping, and comparison to frequencies calculated by the B3LYP density functional. These are the Sc(OH)3 trihydroxide, the Sc(OH)2 dihydroxide, the Sc(OH)2+ cation, and the trihydroxide anhydride HOScO molecule. The Sc(OH)2+ cation forms a complex in solid argon that is effectively modeled by calculations for the [(Ar)4Sc(OH)2]+ cation including frequency shifts between the neutral and cation dihydroxides. Finally, the Sc(OH)4- anion is detected in H2O2 experiments.     

Experimental and theoretical investigations of IR spectra and electronic structures of the U(OH)2, UO2(OH), and UO2(OH)2 molecules

Reactions of laser-ablated U atoms and H2O2 molecules produce UO2, H2UO2, and UO2(OH)2 as major products and U(OH)2 and HU(O)OH as minor products. Complementary information is obtained from similar reactions of U atoms with D2O2, with H2 + O2 mixtures, and with H2O in excess Ar. Through extensive relativistic density functional theory calculations, we have determined the geometry structures and ground states of these U species with a variety of oxidation states U(II), U(IV), U(V), and U(VI). The calculated vibrational frequencies, IR intensities, and isotopic frequency ratios are in good agreement with the experimental values, thus supporting assignments of the observed matrix IR spectra. We propose that the reactions proceed by forming an energized [U(OH)4] intermediate from reactions of the excited U atom with two H2O2 molecules. Because of the special stability of the U(VI) oxidation state, this intermediate decomposes to the UO2(OH)2 molecule, which reveals a distinctive difference between the chemistries of U and Th, where the major product in analogous Th reactions is the tetrahedral Th(OH)4 molecule owing to the stable Th(IV) oxidation state.     

Infrared spectra of M(OH)(1,2,4) (M = Pb, Sn) in solid argon

Infrared absorptions for the matrix-isolated lead and tin hydroxides M(OH), M(OH)2 and M(OH)4 (M = Pb, Sn) were observed in laser-ablated metal atom reactions with H2O2 during condensation in excess argon. The major M(OH)2 product was also observed with H2 and O2 mixtures, which allowed the substitution of 18O2. The band assignments were confirmed by appropriate D2O2, D2, 16O18O, and 18O2 isotopic shifts. MP2 and B3LYP calculations were performed to obtain molecular structures and to reproduce the infrared spectra. The minimum energy structure found for M(OH)2 has C(s) symmetry and a weak intramolecular hydrogen bond. In experiments with Sn, HD, and O2, the internal D bond is favored over the H bond for Sn(OH)(OD). The Pb(OH)4 and Sn(OH)4 molecules are calculated to have S4 symmetry and substantial covalent character.     

Infrared spectrum and structure of the Hf(OH)4 molecule

Laser-ablated Hf atoms react with H2O2 and with H2 + O2 mixtures in solid argon to form the Hf(OH)2 and Hf(OH)4 molecules, which are identified from the effect of isotopic substitution on the matrix infrared spectra. Electronic structure calculations at the MP2 level varying all bond lengths and angles converge to nearly linear and tetrahedral molecules, respectively, and predict frequencies for these new product molecules and mixed isotopic substituted molecules of lower symmetry that are in excellent agreement with observed values, which confirms the identification of these hafnium hydroxide molecules. This work provides the first evidence for a metal tetrahydroxide molecule and shows that the metal atom reaction with H2O2 in excess argon can be used to form pure metal tetrahydroxide molecules, which are not stable in the solid state.     

Infrared spectra and structures of the Th(OH)2 and Th(OH)4 molecules

Thorium atoms react with H2O2, H2 + O2 mixtures, and H2O in excess argon to form the Th(OH)2 and Th(OH)4 molecules as minor and major products, respectively. The vibrational frequencies observed in the matrix infrared spectra are in excellent agreement with MP2 computed values, which confirms the identification of these highly ionic thorium hydroxide molecules. Our MP2 calculations converge to slightly bent and tetrahedral structures, respectively. This investigation reports the first evidence for pure actinide dihydroxide and tetrahydroxide molecules.     

Infrared spectra and electronic structure calculations for the group 2 metal M(OH)2 dihydroxide molecules

Reactions of laser-ablated Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba atoms with O2 and H2 in excess argon give new absorptions in the O-H and O-M-O stretching regions, which increase together upon UV photolysis and are due to the M(OH)2 molecules (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba). The same product absorptions are observed in the metal atom reactions with H2O2. The M(OH)2 identifications are supported by isotopic substitution and theoretical calculations (B3LYP and MP2). The O-H stretching frequencies of the alkaline earth metal dihydroxide molecules decrease from 3829.8 to 3784.6 to 3760.6 to 3724.2 cm(-1) in the family series in solid argon, while the base strength of the solid compounds increases. Calculations show that Sr(OH)2 and Ba(OH)2 are bent at the metal center, owing to d orbital involvement in the bonding. Although these molecules are predominantly ionic, the O-H stretching frequencies do not reach the ionic limit of gaseous OH- going down the family group because of cation-anion polarization and p(pi) --> d(pi) interactions.     

Infrared spectrum of Hg(OH)2 in solid neon and argon

Mercury(II) hydroxide molecules have been prepared upon mercury arc lamp irradiation of Hg, H(2), and O(2) mixtures in solid neon and argon. The strongest three infrared absorptions are identified through isotopic substitution (D(2), HD, (18)O(2), (16)O(18)O) and comparison to frequencies from DFT calculations. The isolated Hg(OH)(2) molecule is stable and has a linear O-Hg-O linkage in a C(2) structure with an 86 degrees dihedral angle. However, in aqueous solution Hg(2+) and 2OH(-) may form an Hg(OH)(2) intermediate, which eliminates water and precipitates solid HgO: The solid Hg(OH)(2) compound is not known.     

Polyoxometalate-supported transition metal complexes and their charge complementarity: synthesis and characterization of [M(OH)6Mo6O18[Cu(Phen)(H2O)2]2][M(OH)6Mo6O18[Cu(Phen)(H2O)Cl]2].5H2O (M = Al(+, Cr3+)

Two Anderson-type heteropolyanion-supported copper phenanthroline complexes, [Al(OH)6Mo6O18[Cu(phen)(H2O)2]2]1+ (1c) and [Al(OH)6Mo6O18[Cu(phen)(H2O)Cl]2]1- (1a) complement their charges in one of the title compounds [Al(OH)6Mo6O18[Cu(phen)(H2O)2]2][Al(OH)6Mo6O18[Cu(phen)(H2O)Cl]2].5H2O [1c][1a].5 H2O 1. Similar charge complementarity exists in the chromium analogue, [Cr(OH)6Mo6O18[Cu(phen)(H2O)2]2][Cr(OH)6Mo6O18[Cu(phen)(H2O)Cl]2].5 H2O [2c][2a].5 H2O 2. The chloride coordination to copper centers of 1a and 2a makes the charge difference. In both compounds, the geometries around copper centers are distorted square pyramidal and those around aluminum/chromium centers are distorted octahedral. Three lattice waters, from the formation of intermolecular O-H.....O hydrogen bonds, have been shown to self-assemble into an "acyclic water trimer" in the crystals of both 1 and 2. The title compounds have been synthesized in a simple one pot aqueous wet-synthesis consisting of aluminum/chromium chloride, sodium molybdate, copper nitrate, phenanthroline, and hydrochloric acid, and characterized by elemental analyses, EDAX, IR, diffuse reflectance, EPR, TGA, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both compounds crystallize in the triclinic space group P. Crystal data for 1: a = 10.7618(6), b = 15.0238(8), c = 15.6648(8) angstroms, alpha = 65.4570(10), beta = 83.4420(10), gamma = 71.3230(10), V = 2182.1(2) angstroms3. Crystal data for 2: a = 10.8867(5), b = 15.2504(7), c = 15.7022(7) angstroms, alpha = 64.9850(10), beta = 83.0430(10), gamma = 71.1570(10), V = 2235.47(18) angstroms3. In the electronic reflectance spectra, compounds 1 and 2 exhibit a broad d-d band at approximately 700 nm, which is a considerable shift with respect to the value of 650-660 nm for a square-pyramidal [Cu(phen)2L] complex, indicating the coordination of [M(OH)6Mo6O18]3- POM anions (as a ligand) to the monophenanthroline copper complexes to form POM-supported copper complexes 1c, 1a, 2c, and 2a. The ESR spectrum of compound 1 shows a typical axial signal for a Cu2+ (d9) system, and that of compound 2, containing both chromium(III) and copper(II) ions, may reveal a zero-field-splitting of the central Cr3+ ion of the Anderson anion, [Cr(OH)6Mo6O18]3-, with an intense peak for the Cu2+ ion.     

Crystal structure of [Al4(OH)6(H2O)12][Al(H2O)6]2Br12: a new polyaluminum compound

A vertex-shared tetrahedral [Al(4)(OH)(6)(H(2)O)(12)](6+) (Al(4)) and a disordered [Al(H(2)O)(6)](3+) (Al(1)) that coexist in a 1:2 ratio within each unit cell were observed in the structure of [Al(4)(OH)(6)(H(2)O)(12)][Al(H(2)O)(6)](2)Br(12), which crystallized in a cubic Fd3m space group from a spontaneously hydrolyzed solution of AlBr(3). The former is composed of four AlO(6) octahedra that are connected to each other by sharing three vertexes of each octahedron and form a large regular tetrahedron with ideal T(d) symmetry. The central Al(3+) ion of the latter is coordinated by 6 disordered OH(2) molecules, that form a core-shell structure with ideal D(3d) symmetry.     

From linear inorganic chains to helices: chirality in the M(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) (M = Zn,Cd) compounds

Cd(C(4)H(4)N(2))(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) (C(4)H(4)N(2) = pyrazine, pyz) was synthesized via hydro(solvato)thermal methods and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods (P3(2)()21, no. 154, Z = 3, a = 7.4328(7) A, c = 16.376(2) A). Both of the known M(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) (M = Zn, Cd) compounds are comprised of trans-M(pyz)(2)(OH(2))(2)F(2) and cis-MoO(2)F(4) octahedra that share fluoride vertices to form helical chains along the 3-fold screw axes. Individual chains are bridged to six symmetry-equivalent helices through metal-pyrazine and OH(2)...F and OH(2)...O hydrogen bonds. Structural comparisons of similar oxyfluoride chains demonstrate that they can be varied from linear to helical through (1) the replacement of pyridine or pyrazine by H(2)O molecules and (2) the substitution of cis-directing MoO(2)F(4)(2-) anions in place of trans-directing WO(2)F(4)(2-) or TiF(6)(2-) anions. Infrared absorption (IR) measurements for M = Cd show two distinct O-H stretches corresponding to hydrogen-bonded O-H...F and O-H...O groups. Contrastingly for M = Zn, IR measurements exhibit O-H stretches for averaged hydrogen-bonded O-H...(O/F) groups, free (unbound) O-H groups, and higher energy Mo-F stretches. The IR data suggest a small fraction of the O-H...F hydrogen bonds are broken in the M = Zn analogue as a result of the racemic twinning. Both compounds exhibit nonlinear optical behavior, with second harmonic generation (SHG) intensities, relative to SiO(2), of approximately 0.25 ( = 0.28 pm/V) for the racemically twinned Zn(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4) and approximately 1.0 ( = 0.55 pm/V) for the enantiopure Cd(pyz)(H(2)O)(2)MoO(2)F(4).     

Charge penetration and the origin of large O-H vibrational red-shifts in hydrated-electron clusters, (H2O)n-

The origin of O-H vibrational red-shifts observed experimentally in (H2O)n(-) clusters is analyzed using electronic structure calculations, including natural bond orbital analysis. The red-shifts are shown to arise from significant charge transfer and strong donor-acceptor stabilization between the unpaired electron and O-H sigma* orbitals on a nearby water molecule in a double hydrogen-bond-acceptor ("AA") configuration. The extent of e(-) --> sigma* charge transfer is comparable to the n --> sigma* charge transfer in the most strongly hydrogen-bonded X(-)(H2O) complexes (e.g., X = F, O, OH), even though the latter systems exhibit much larger vibrational red-shifts. In X(-)(H2O), the proton affinity of X(-) induces a low-energy XH...(-)OH diabatic state that becomes accessible in v = 1 of the shared-proton stretch, leading to substantial anharmonicity in this mode. In contrast, the H + (-)OH(H2O)(n-1) diabat of (H2O)n(-) is not energetically accessible; thus, the O-H stretching modes of the AA water are reasonably harmonic, and their red-shifts are less dramatic. Only a small amount of charge penetrates beyond the AA water molecule, even upon vibrational excitation of these AA modes. Implications for modeling of the aqueous electron are discussed.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of M(PMe3)3(O2CR)2(OH2)H2 (M = Mo, W): aqua-hydride complexes of molybdenum and tungsten

Mo(PMe(3))(6) and W(PMe(3))(4)(eta(2)-CH(2)PMe(2))H undergo oxidative addition of the O-H bond of RCO(2)H to yield sequentially M(PMe(3))(4)(eta(2)-O(2)CR)H and M(PMe(3))(3)(eta(2)-O(2)CR)(eta(1)-O(2)CR)H(2) (M = Mo and R = Ph, Bu(t); M = W and R = Bu(t)). One of the oxygen donors of the bidentate carboxylate ligand may be displaced by H(2)O to give rare examples of aqua-dihydride complexes, M(PMe(3))(3)(eta(1)-O(2)CR)(2)(OH(2))H(2), in which the coordinated water molecule is hydrogen-bonded to both carboxylate ligands.     

Die Reaktion von AlCl mit H2O in festem Argon: IR‐matrixspektroskopischer Nachweis von HAl(Cl)OH

The Reaction of AlCl with H₂O in Solid Argon: IR Matrixspectroscopic Detection of HAl(Cl)OH After photolytical activation of AlCl and H₂O in solid argon the molecule HAl(Cl)OH is formed. Structure and bonding is characterized by means of normal coordinate analysis and quantum chemical calculations. The complex AlCl···H₂O formed directly after condensation serves as a model system for the stabilisation of aluminium monohalide in a mixture of toluene and ether.     

Zinc and cadmium dihydroxide molecules: matrix infrared spectra and theoretical calculations

Laser-ablated zinc and cadmium atoms were mixed uniformly with H2 and O2 in excess argon or neon and with O2 in pure hydrogen or deuterium during deposition at 8 or 4 K. UV irradiation excites metal atoms to insert into O2 producing OMO molecules (M = Zn, Cd), which react further with H2 to give the metal hydroxides M(OH)2 and HMOH. The M(OH)2 molecules were identified through O-H and M-O stretching modes with appropriate HD, D2, (16,18)O2, and (18)O2 isotopic shifts. The HMOH molecules were characterized by O-H, M-H, and M-O stretching modes and an M-O-H bending mode, which were particularly strong in pure H2/D2. Analogous Zn and Cd atom reactions with H2O2 in excess argon produced the same M(OH)2 absorptions. Density functional theory and MP2 calculations reproduce the IR spectra of these molecules. The bonding of Group 12 metal dihydroxides and comparison to Group 2 dihydroxides are discussed. Although the Group 12 dihydroxide O-H stretching frequencies are lower, calculated charges show that the Group 2 dihydroxide molecules are more ionic.     

Sequential addition of H2O, CH3OH, and NH3 to Al3O3-: a theoretical study

Photoelectron spectra of two species, Al3O3(H2O)2- and Al3O3(CH3OH)2-, that are produced by the addition of two water or methanol molecules to Al3O3- are interpreted with density-functional geometry optimizations and electron propagator calculations of vertical electron detachment energies. In both cases, there is only one isomer that is responsible for the observed spectral features. A high barrier to the addition of a second molecule may impede the formation of Al3O3N2H6- clusters in an analogous experiment with NH3.     

Infrared spectra of the OH+ and H2O+ cations solvated in solid argon

Infrared spectra of various OH+ and H2O+ isotopomers solvated in solid argon are presented. The OH+ and H2O+ cations were produced by co-deposition of H2O/Ar mixture with high-frequency discharged Ar at 4 K. Detailed isotopic substitution studies confirm the assignments of absorptions at 3054.9 and 3040.0 cm(-1) to the antisymmetric and symmetric H-O-H stretching vibrations of H2O+ and 2979.6 cm(-1) to the O-H stretching vibration of OH+. The frequencies of H2O+ solvated in solid argon are red-shifted, whereas the frequency of OH+ is blue-shifted with respect to the gas-phase fundamentals. On the basis of previous gas-phase studies and quantum chemical calculations, the OH+ and H2O+ cations solvated in solid argon may be regarded as the OH+-Ar5 and H2O+-Ar4 complexes isolated in the argon matrix.     

Searching for stable, five-coordinate aquated Al(III) species. Water exchange mechanism and effect of pH

Density functional theory calculations have been performed for the water exchange mechanism of aquated Al(III). The effect of pH was considered by studying the exchange processes for [Al(H2O)6]3+ and its conjugated base, [Al(H2O)5OH]2+. Both complexes were found to exchange water in a dissociative way with activation energies (EA) of 15.9 and 10.2 kcal/mol, respectively. The influence of solvent molecules on the gas-phase cluster model was considered by the addition of up to four water molecules to the model system. The stabilizing effect of the solvent on the transition state decreases EA to 8.6 (hexa-aqua complex) and 7.6 (monohydroxo complex) kcal/mol, whereas EA for all hydroxo species is consistently significantly lower than those for the related aqua systems, which indicates a much faster water exchange rate. For the hydroxo complex, all calculated five-coordinate intermediates, nH2O.[Al(H2O)4(OH)]2+ (n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), are more stable than the corresponding six-coordinate reactants. Our results therefore suggest the presence of a stable five-coordinate species of aquated Al(III), namely, the [Al(H2O)4(OH)]2+ complex.