MB 8 2− (M = Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba): Planar octacoordinate alkaline earth metal atoms enclosed by boron rings

Complexes involving planar octacoordinate alkaline earth metal atoms in the centers of eight-membered boron rings have been investigated by two density functional theory (DFT) methods. BeB ₈ ^2? with D _8h symmetry is predicted to be stable, both geometrically and electronically, since a good match is achieved between the size of the central beryllium atom and the eight-membered boron ring. By contrast, the other alkaline earth metal atoms cannot be stabilized in the center of a planar eight-membered boron ring because of their large radii. By following the out-of-plane imaginary vibrational frequency, pyramidal C _8v MgB ₈ ^2? , CaB ₈ ^2? , SrB ₈ ^2? , and BaB ₈ ^2? structures are obtained. The presence of delocalized π and σ valence molecular orbitals in D _8h BeB ₈ ^2? gives rise to aromaticity, which is reflected by the value of the nucleus-independent chemical shift. The D _8h BeB ₈ ^2? structure is confirmed to be the global minimum on the potential energy surface.     

Group VB transition metal oxide clusters M4O n −/0 (M = Nb, Ta; n = 8–11): structural evolution and chemical bonding

The structural and electronic properties of two series of Group VB transition metal oxide clusters, M₄O _n ^? and M₄O _n (M = Nb, Ta; n = 8–11), are investigated using density functional theory calculations. Generalized Koopmans’ theorem is applied to predict the vertical detachment energies and simulate the photoelectron spectra. Large highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gaps are observed for these two stoichiometric M₄O₁₀ clusters and estimated to be 3.98 and 4.38 eV for M = Nb and Ta, respectively. The M₄O ₁₀ ^?/0 (M = Nb, Ta) clusters are polyhedral cage structures with high symmetry (T _d for the neutral and D _2d for the anion) in which each metal atom joints three bridging and one terminal O atoms. For the Nb oxide species, Nb₄O ₈ ^?/0 and Nb₄O ₉ ^?/0 can be viewed as removing two and one terminal O atoms from Nb₄O ₁₀ ^?/0 , respectively. The Ta species follow the same rule to the Nb species, except that the anionic Ta₄O₈ ^? is formed by removing one terminal and one bridging O atoms from Ta₄O₁₀ ^?. The Ta₄O₉ containing a localized Ta³⁺ site can readily react with O₂ to form the Ta₄O₁₁ which can also be viewed as replacing a terminal oxygen atom in Ta₄O₁₀ by a peroxo O₂ unit, whereas the added oxygen atom is found to be a bridging one in the O-rich clusters Nb₄O ₁₁ ^?/0 and the anionic Ta₄O₁₁ ^?. Molecular orbital analyses are performed to analyze the chemical bonding in the tetra-nuclear metal oxide clusters and to elucidate their structural and electronic evolution.     

Cluster ions ejected from an Li-Mg alloy liquid metal ion source: Observation of MG 2 2+ and MG 3 2+

Ions ejected from a liquid metal ion source of an Li-Mg (10 atom %) alloy have been investigated by using a magnetic mass analyzer. In addition to singly charged homonuclear Li _n ⁺ (n ≤ 9) and Mg _n ⁺ (n ≤ 4) and heteronuclear Mg_mLi _n ⁺ (m, n ≤ 2) clusters, doubly charged diatomic and triatomic Mg clusters are observed. Discussion is focused on the observability and the formation mechanism of the doubly charged small Mg clusters. A postionization process is suggested for the formation of the doubly charged clusters.     

Planar D 2h B26H8, D 2h B26H8 2+, and C 2h B26H6: Building Blocks of Stable Boron Sheets with Twin-Hexagonal Holes

The most stable mono-layer boron sheets were predicted to have both the isolated hexagonal hole and the twin-hexagonal hole. Previous investigations indicate that planar B₁₈H _n ^q (n = 3–6, q = n ? 4) are the building blocks of boron sheets with isolated hexagonal holes. Extensive DFT investigations performed in this work show that D _2h B₂₆H₈, D _2h B₂₆H₈ ²⁺, and C ₂ B₂₆H₆, may serve as the building blocks of boron sheets with twin-hexagonal holes. These bicyclic clusters possess planar or quasi-planar geometries at B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level, with 16, 14, and 14 delocalized π electrons, respectively. Detailed analyses indicate that they are overall aromatic in nature, with the formation of islands of both σ and π aromaticity. They are analogous to D _2h C₁₆H₁₄ and D _2h C₁₆H₁₄ ²⁺ in π bonding patterns, respectively, but fundamentally different from the latter in σ-bonding. Remarkably, all of them appear to be energetically the lowest-lying isomers obtained, which are promising targets for future gas phase syntheses. These hydroboron clusters, together with B₁₈H _n ^q clusters, establish the molecular basis for modeling the short-range structures, nucleation, and growth processes of monolayer boron sheets. The results obtained in this work enrich the chemistry of boron hydride clusters and expand the analogy relationship between hydroborons and hydrocarbons.     

Small silicon oxide clusters: chains and rings

We study several silicon oxide cluster series with different Si:O stoichiometries using photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) of size-selected anions: (SiO) _n ^? (n=3–5), (SiO₂) _n ^? (n =1–4), and Si(SiO₂) _n ^? (n = 2,3). The (SiO)_n clusters are shown to be closed-shell molecules and the HOMOLUMO gaps are observed from the PES spectra to decrease for larger n. These clusters are shown to have ring sturctures. Si₃O₄ is known to have a D_2d structure with two perpendicular Si₂O₂ rhombuses.The PES spectrum of Si₄O ₆ ^? is very similar to that of Si₃O ₄ ^? . It is concluded that Si₄O₆ has a similar structure with a chain of three Si₂O₂ rhombuses. The (SiO₂)_n clusters all exhibit high electron affinities and only one band is observed at 4.66 eV photon energy. These clusters are shown to have similar chain structures containing Si₂O₂ rhombuses, but the two terminal Si atoms are bonded to an extra 0 atom each. The possibility of using these clusters to provide structural models for oxygen-deficient defects in bulk silicon oxides is also discussed.     

Ab initio study of small He cluster ions He n + ,n=2, 3, 4, 5, and low-lying Rydberg states of He4

SCF and CEPA calculations are applied to study the structure of small He cluster ions, He _n ⁺ ,n=2, 3, 4, 5 and some low-lying Rydberg states of He₄. The effect of electron correlation upon the equilibrium structures and binding energies is discussed. He ₃ ⁺ has a linear symmetric equilibrium geometry with a bond length of 2.35a ₀ and a binding energyD _e =0.165 eV with respect to He ₂ ⁺ +He (experimentally:D ₀=0.17 eV which corresponds toD _e ≈0.20 eV). He ₄ ⁺ is a very floppy molecular ion with several energetically very similar geometrical configurations. Our CEPA calculations yield a T-shaped form with a He ₃ ⁺ centre (R _e = 2.35a ₀) and one inductively bound He atom (4.39a ₀ from the central He atom of He ₃ ⁺ ) as equilibrium structure. Its binding energy with respect to He ₃ ⁺ +He is 0.031 eV. A linear symmetric configuration consisting of a He ₂ ⁺ centre with a bond length of 2.10a ₀ and two inductively bound He atoms (4.20a ₀ from the centre of He ₂ ⁺ ) is only 0.02–0.03 eV higher in energy. We expect that in larger He cluster ions structures with He ₂ ⁺ and He ₃ ⁺ centres andn?2 orn?3 inductively bound He atoms have nearly the same energies. In He₄ a low-lying metastable Rydberg state (³ Π symmetry for linear He ₄ ^* ,³ B ₁ for the T-shaped form) exists which is slightly stronger bound with respect to He ₃ ^* +He than the corresponding ion.     

Doubly charged sodium clusters: plasmon response and photoproduction

The optical response of doubly charged sodium clusters Na _n+2 ⁺⁺ was measured for n = 20, 40, and 58 valence electrons, for which the jellium model predicts spherical clusters. A new experimental scheme was developed which allows to separate doubly charged clusters of even mass from the singly charged with half the mass. The optical spectra are dominated by a plasmon-like resonance which is blue shifted and narrower than that of the singly charged clusters. The smallest doubly charged cluster observed was Na ₉ ⁺⁺ . The photo ionization cross section for singly charged clusters was found to be typically 2.6·10^-19cm² per Na atom for photon energies of around 6 eV, which is a factor of 400 smaller than the maximum in the plasmon absorption in the region of hω=2.6 eV.     

Ab initio MRD-CI study of neutral and charged Ga2, Ga3 and Ga4 clusters and comparison with corresponding boron and aluminum clusters

MRD-CI calculations were performed on Ga, Ga₂, Ga₃, Ga₄ and on the corresponding positive and negative ions. In general, pseudopotentials were used, and 4s4p/2s2p basis sets withs andp diffuse functions and one or twod functions. For Ga₂, all-electron calculations were also performed. For Ga ₂ ^(±) , potential functions for ground and low-lying excited states are given. For Ga ₃ ^(±) , geometries were optimized both inC _2v andD _∞h symmetry. The lowest state of Ga ₃ ⁺ is found to be¹Σ _g ⁺ , of Ga₃ ⁴ A ₂, and of Ga ₃ ^{? 1} A ₁ (D _3h ). Ionization potentials and electron affinities of Ga₃ were evaluated. Many low-lying excited states of Ga ₃ ^(±) were found. Rhombic (D _2h , including squareD _4h ), tetrahedral (T _d ), T-shaped (C _2v ) and linear structures (D _∞h) were investigated in the search for the lowest state of Ga₄. A square-planar arrangement of the nuclei, withR _e = 5.30 a₀, was found to have the lowest energy. The other geometries lie about 0.5 eV higher. InD _2h symmetry, low-lying excited states of Ga₄, as well as ground and excited states of Ga ₄ ⁺ and Ga ₄ ^? were studied. Geometries, ionization potentials, electron affinities, atomization and fragmentation energies of Ga _n are compared with corresponding data for B _n and Al _n . Typical changes in going from first-row to third-row atoms are observed.     

Dichlorotriethylphosphine-[N-formyl-N,N′-bis(3,4-dimethoxy)benzyl-trimethylenediamine] platinum(II)

By treatment of 1,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxybenzyl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidinium chloride (1) with KOBu ^t and [PtCl₂(PEt₃)₂]₂ N-coordinated platinum complex (2) is obtained. The Pt atom is coordinated in square planar arrangements by two chloride ions in a trans-configuration, the N-formyl-N,N′-bisaryltrimethylenediamine nitrogen atom, and the phosphine P atom. An extensive three-dimensional network of three C-H…O hydrogen bonds, two C-H…π and one π…π interactions are responsible for the crystal stabilization. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds and C-H…π interactions produce R ₂ ² (6), R ₂ ² (22), R ₂ ² (24), R ₃ ³ (23), R ₄ ⁴ (26), and R ₄ ⁴ (32) rings.     

Fragmentation of doubly charged noble metal clusters

The dissociation patterns of doubly charged noble metal clusters (M) _n ⁺⁺ to two singly charged clusters, (M) _m ^Emphasis>1/+ and (M) _m ^Emphasis>2/+ have been investigated using a double focusing mass spectrometer. They are compared with the dissociation patterns from singly charged clusters. The dissociation probabilities to (M) ₃ ⁺ and (M) ₉ ⁺ were large and the odd-even alternations were observed in both patterns.     

Analytical photoion spectroscopy applied to dissociative single and double photoionization of diatomic molecules (H2, N2, O2, CO,and NO)

This work reports the principle, advantage, and limitations of analytical photoion spectroscopy which has been applied to dissociative photoionization processes for diatomic molecules such as H₂, N₂, CO, and NO. Characteristic features observed in the differential photoion spectra are summarized with a focus on (pre)dissociation of(i) multielectron excitation states commonly observed in the inner valence regions,(ii) shape resonances, and(iii) doubly charged parent ions. Possible origins for negative peaks in the differential spectra are discussed. This spectroscopy is applied to the reported photoion branching ratios for D₂ (and H₂ at high energies). The main findings are as follows: (1) The direct dissociation of theX ²Σ _g ⁺ (1sσ _g ) state of D ₂ ⁺ , the two-electron excited state¹Σ _u ⁺ (2pσ _u 2sσ _g ) of D₂, and the²Σ _u ⁺ (2pσ _u ) state of D ₂ ⁺ appear clearly in the differential spectrum, as previously observed for H₂. (2) Decay of H ₂ ⁺ (D ₂ ⁺ ) to H⁺ (D⁺) above 38 eV is due to the direct dissociation of highly excited states of H ₂ ⁺ (D ₂ ⁺ ) such as the²Σ _g ⁺ (2sσ _g ) and high-lying Rydberg states converging on H ₂ ²⁺ (D ₂ ²⁺ ). (3) In the ionization continuum of H ₂ ²⁺ (D ₂ ²⁺ ) peculiar dissociation pathways are observed. The differential photoion spectra for O₂ derived from the reported photoion branching ratios are also presented. The (pre)dissociation of theb ⁴Σ _g ^? ,B ²Σ _g ^? , III²Π _u ,²Σ _u ^? , and^2,4Σ _g ^? states of O ₂ ⁺ appears as the corresponding positive values in the spectra in accord with previous observations. Some other dissociation pathways possibly contributing to the spectra are discussed including dissociative double ionization.     

Niobium-chloride octahedral clusters as building units for larger frameworks

A systematic theoretic study on clusters containing edge-bridged octahedral metal units [Nb₆Cl₁₂] ⁿ (n?=?2, 3, or 4) and a large variety of ligands has been performed. The benchmark results on the [Nb₆Cl ₁₂ ⁱ ] ⁿ⁺ and [Nb₆Cl ₁₂ ⁱ Cl ₆ ^a ] ⁿ (n?=?2, 3 or 4) cluster units demonstrated the reliability of GGA PBE functional in combination with ZORA TZP basis set for the Nb-containing coordination compounds. The geometrical, electronic, and vibrational properties of large variety of substituted Nb₆Cl ₁₂ ⁱ Y ₆ ^a clusters have been provided. One- and two-dimensional structures with a [Nb₆Cl ₁₂ ⁱ (Bipyr) _x Cl _6?x ^a ] (x?=?2 and 4) building blocks have been proposed as good and stable candidates for new coordination polydimensional materials.     

Shell correction study of fission of doubly charged silver clusters

Fission of doubly charged silver clusters is investigated by the method of shell corrections. The following fission events are considered: Ag ₂₂ ²⁺ → Ag _n ⁺ + Ag _{22 ?n} ⁺ , (n=11, 10, 9, 8); Ag ₂₁ ²⁺ → Ag _n ⁺ + Ag _{21 ?n} ⁺ , (n=10, 9, 8, 7); Ag ₁₈ ²⁺ → Ag _n ⁺ + Ag _{18 ?n} ⁺ , (n=9, 8, 7, 6). It is found that the shell correction energy is comparable to or larger than the deformation energy of the liquid drop. Threshold energies for the fission events are calculated and compared with the experimental abundance spectra obtained by Katakuse et al. (1990). Correspondence between the calculated threshold energies with the shell corrections and the experimental abundance is very good, showing products from lower threshold fission channels yield more abundance. The threshold energies without the shell corrections are almost constant irrespective of the fission channels and cannot explain the experimental abundance. Abundance of some products are too small to be accounted for only by the threshold energies. The low abundance of those products may be explained by the presence of competing fission channels that have similar minimal energy paths. It is found in fission of Ag ₁₈ ²⁺ that the shell correction overwhelms the Coulomb energy and the fission channel to Ag₈ + Ag ₁₀ ²⁺ is preferred over the fission channel to Ag ₈ ⁺ + Ag ₁₀ ⁺ .     

Compared electronic structure of negative ions M p C n − : I. Normal elements in Hückel theory

Negative cluster ions M _p C _n ^? (M normal element,n<10,p=1?4) produced by various experimental techniques from carbides show in their emission intensities a very strong even-odd effect according to the parity of the carbon atom numbern. This is in particular the case when M=N, F, Cl (p=1), M=H, Al, Si, S (p=1, 2) or M=B (p=1?4). The largest intensities of M _p C _n ^? ions always take place for evenn except in the cases of NC _n ^? , B₂C _n ^? and Al₂C _n ^? , for which the maxima of emission occur for oddn. This oscillating behaviour corresponds to alternations in the stability of the clusters which are mainly due to the fact that, in Pitzer and Clementi model (linear chains in thesp hybridization within the framework of Hückel theory), the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) of the clusters lies in a double degenerateπ level band: a cluster with a complete HOMO is always more stable than a cluster with a nearly empty HOMO. This result involves that the total number ofπ electrons is the main factor governing the parity of the stability alternations. Accordingly, since the knowledge of theπ electron number requires the determination of theσ electron number too, these alternations enable us to infer a very likely electronic structure of the ions.     

Theoretical study of the isomerism of stepwise-hydrogenated b-doped aluminum clusters BAl12H− 2n (n = 1-6) with the [B@Al12]t- framework

The structure, energy, vibrational, and magnetic characteristics of stepwise-hydrogenated borondoped aluminum clusters B@A₁₂H _2n ^t- (n = 1–6) have been calculated by ab initio density functional theory B3LYP method with the basis sets 6-31G* and 6-311+G*. The results are compared with those of analogous calculations of the related series Al@A₁₂H _2n ^t- . The substitution of boron for the endohedral aluminum atom sharply changes the structure of isomers, their arrangement on the energy scale, and their stability toward the elimination of H₂ molecules. Differences in the behavior of these properties on varying n in the Al@A₁₂H _2n ^t- and B@A₁₂H _2n ^t- families are traced, and the effect of the dopant on these properties is examined.     

FTMS studies of sputtered metal cluster ions (IV): size-selective effects in the chemistry of Fe n + with NH3 and Pd n + with D2 or C2H4

Fe _n ⁺ and Pd _n ⁺ clusters up ton=19 andn=25, respectively, are produced in an external ion source by sputtering of the respective metal foils with Xe⁺ primary ions at 20 keV. They are transferred to the ICR cell of a home-built Fourier transform mass spectrometer, where they are thermalized to nearly room temperature and stored for several tens of seconds. During this time, their reactions with a gas leaked in at low level are studied. Thus in the presence of ammonia, most Fe _n ⁺ clusters react by simply adsorbing intact NH₃ molecules. Only Fe ₄ ⁺ ions show dehydrogenation/adsorption to Fe₄(NH) _m ⁺ intermediates (m=1, 2) that in a complex scheme go on adsorbing complete NH₃ units. To clarify the reaction scheme, one has to isolate each species in the ion cell, which often requires the ejection of ions very close in mass. This led to the development of a special isolation technique that avoids the use of isotopically pure metal samples. Pd _n ⁺ cluster ions (n=2...9) dehydrogenate C₂H₄ in general to yield Pd _n (C₂H₂)⁺, yet Pd ₆ ⁺ appear totally unreactive. Towards D₂, Pd ₇ ⁺ ions seem inert, whereas Pd ₈ ⁺ adsorb up to two molecules.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of transition metal-sulfur cluster anions

Metal (M)-sulfur cluster anions (M = Ag, Fe and Mn) have been studied using photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) with a magnetic-bottle type time-of-flight electron spectrometer. The M_nS _m ^? cluster anions were formed in a laser vaporization cluster source. For Ag-S, the largest coordination number of Ag atoms (n _max) is generally expressed as n _max =2m ? 1 in each series of the number of S atoms (m). For Fe?S and Mn?S, it was found that the stable cluster ions are the ones with compositions of n=m and n=m±1. Their electron affinities were measured from the onset of the PES spectrum. For Ag?S, the EAs of Ag₁S_m are small and around 1 eV, whereas those of Ag_nS_m (_n ≥ 2) become large above 2 eV. The features in the mass distribution and PES suggest that Ag₂S unit is preferentially formed with increasing the number of Ag atoms. For Fe?S and Mn?S, the PES spectra of Fe_nS _m ^? /Mn_nS _m ^? show a unique similarity at n ≥ m, indicating that the Fe/Mn atom addition to Fe_nS _n ^? /Mn_nS _n ^? has little effect on the electronic property of Fe_nS_n/Mn_nS_n. The PES spectra imply that the Fe_nS_n cluster is the structural framework of these clusters, as similarly as the determined structure of the Fe_nS_n cluster in nitrogenase enzyme.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of silicon and germanium-fluorine binary cluster anions (SinF m − , GenF m − )

Electronic properties of silicon-fluorine and germanium-fluorine cluster anions (Si_nF _m ^? n = 1–9, m = 1–3, Ge_nF _m ^? ; n =1–9, m = 1–3) were investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy using a magnetic-bottle type electron spectrometer. The binary cluster anions were generated by a laser vaporization of a silicon/germanium rod in an He carrier gas mixed with a small amount of SiF₄ or F₂ gas. Comparison between photoelectron spectra of Si_nF^?/Ge_nF^? and Sin /Gen (n = 4–9) gives the insight that the doped F atom can remove one electron from the corresponding Sin _n ^? /Ge _n ^? cluster without any serious rearrangement of Sin/Gen framework, because only the first peak of Si _n ^? /Ge _n ^? , corresponding singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO), disappears and other successive spectral features are unchanged with the F atom doping