Fluorescence and REMPI spectroscopy of jet-cooled isolated 2-phenylindene in the S1 state

We investigated the spectroscopy of the first excited singlet electronic state S1 of 2-phenylindene using both fluorescence excitation spectroscopy and resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy. Moreover, we investigated the dynamics of the S1 state by determining state-selective fluorescence lifetimes up to an excess energy of approximately 3400 cm(-1). Ab initio calculations were performed on the torsional potential energy curve and the equilibrium and transition state geometries and normal-mode frequencies of the first excited singlet state S1 on the CIS level of theory. Numerous vibronic transitions were assigned, especially those involving the torsional normal mode. The torsional potentials of the ground and first excited electronic states were simulated by matching the observed and calculated torsional frequency spacings in a least-squares fitting procedure. The simulated S1 potential showed very good agreement with the ab initio potential calculated on the CIS/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. TDDFT energy corrections improved the match with the simulated S(1) torsional potential. The latter calculation yielded a torsional barrier of V2 = 6708 cm(-1), and the simulation a barrier of V2 = 6245 cm(-1). Ground-state normal-mode frequencies were calculated on the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory, which were used to interpret the infrared spectrum, the FDS spectrum of the transition and hot bands of the FES spectrum. The fluorescence intensities of the nu49 overtone progression could reasonably be reproduced by considering the geometry changes upon electronic excitation predicted by the ab initio calculations. On the basis of the torsional potential calculations, it could be ruled out that the uniform excess energy dependence of the fluorescence lifetimes is linked to the torsional barrier in the excited state. The rotational band contour simulation of the transition yielded rotational constants in close agreement to the ab initio values for both electronic states. Rotational coherence signals were obtained by polarization-analyzed, time-resolved measurements of the fluorescence decay of the transition. The simulation of these signals yielded corroborating evidence as to the quality of the ab initio calculated rotational constants of both states. The origin of the anomalous intensity discrepancy between the fluorescence excitation spectrum and the REMPI spectrum is discussed.     

Resonantly enhanced two photon ionization and zero kinetic energy spectroscopy of jet-cooled 4-aminopyridine

We report studies of supersonically cooled 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) using two-color resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and two-color zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy. With the aid of ab initio and density functional calculations, vibrational modes of the first electronically excited state (S1) of the neutral species and those of the cation have been assigned, and the adiabatic ionization potential has been determined to be 62291+/-6 cm(-1). The REMPI spectrum of the S1 state is dominated by ring deformation modes and the inversion mode of the amino group, while the ZEKE spectra demonstrate a strong propensity of Deltav=0, where v is the vibrational quantum number of the intermediate vibronic state from S1. In addition, the ZEKE spectra obtained via different vibrational levels of the S1 state contain four common features, corresponding to the activation of four different vibrational modes of the cation. These observations are explained in terms of the structural changes from the ground state to S1 and further to the cation. The vibrational mode distributions in both the REMPI and the ZEKE spectra, the excitation energy of the S1 state, and the ionization potential of 4-AP, are remarkably similar to those of aniline, suggesting that the electronic activity is centered on the ring.     

Resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization and zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy of 2-indanol conformers

We report studies of a supersonically cooled 2-indanol using two-color resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and two-color zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy. In the REMPI experiment, we have identified three conformers of 2-indanol and assigned the vibrational structures of the first electronically excited state for the two major conformers. Conformer Ia contains an intramolecular hydrogen bond between the -OH group and the phenyl ring, while conformer IIb has the -OH group in the equatorial position. We have further investigated the vibrational spectroscopy of the cation for the two major conformers using the ZEKE spectroscopy. The two conformers display dramatically different vibrational distributions. The ZEKE spectrum of conformer Ia shows an extensive progression in the puckering mode of the five member ring, indicating a significant geometry change upon ionization. The ZEKE spectra of conformer IIb are dominated by single vibronic transitions, and the intensity of the ZEKE signal is much stronger than that of conformer Ia. These results indicate an invariance of the molecular frame during ionization for conformer IIb. We have performed ab initio and density functional theory calculations to obtain potential energy surfaces along the dihedral angle involving the -OH group for all three electronic states. In addition, we have also calculated the vibrational distribution of the ZEKE spectrum for the puckering mode of the five member ring. Not only the vibrational frequencies but also the intensity distributions for both conformers have been reproduced satisfactorily. The adiabatic ionization energies have been determined to be 68 593+/-5 cm(-1) for conformer Ia and 68 981+/-5 cm(-1) for conformer IIb.     

Zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy of jet cooled benzo[a]pyrene from resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization

We report zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy of benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) via resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). Our analysis concentrates on the vibrational modes of the first excited state (S(1)) and those of the ground cationic state (D(0)). Similar to pyrene, another peri-condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon we have investigated, the first two electronically excited states of BaP exhibit extensive configuration interactions. However, the two electronic states are of the same symmetry, hence vibronic coupling does not introduce any out-of-plane modes in the REMPI spectrum, and Franck-Condon analysis is qualitatively satisfactory. The ZEKE spectra from the in-plane modes observed in the REMPI spectrum demonstrate strong propensity in preserving the vibrational excitation of the intermediate state. Although several additional bands in combination with the vibrational mode of the intermediate state are identifiable, they are much lower in intensity. This observation implies that the molecular structure of BaP has a tremendous capability to accommodate changes in charge density. All observed bands of the cation are IR active, establishing the role of ZEKE spectroscopy in mapping out far infrared bands for astrophysical applications.     

Resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization and zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy of chrysene: a comparison with tetracene

We report the electronic and vibrational spectroscopy of chrysene using resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy. As an isomer of tetracene, chrysene contains a kink in the middle of the four fused hexagonal rings, which complicates not just the symmetry but, more importantly, the molecular orbitals and hence vibronic transitions. Incidentally, the two nearby electronically excited states of chrysene have the same symmetry, and vibronic coupling introduces no out-of-plane vibrational modes. As a result, the REMPI spectrum of chrysene contains essentially only in-plane ring deformation modes, similar to that of tetracene. However, density functional calculations using gaussian even after the inclusion of vibronic coupling can only duplicate the observed REMPI spectrum in a qualitative sense, and the agreement is considerably worse than our recent work on a few pericondensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and on tetracene. The ZEKE spectrum of chrysene via the origin band of the intermediate electronic state S(1), however, can be qualitatively reproduced by a straightforward Franck-Condon calculation. The ZEKE spectra from vibrationally excited states of the S(1), on the other hand, demonstrate some degree of mode selectivity: the overall intensity of the ZEKE spectrum can vary by an order of magnitude depending on the vibrational mode of the intermediate state. A scaling factor in the theoretical vibrational frequency for the cation is also needed to compare with the experimental result, unlike tetracene and pentacene.     

Zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy of p-amino benzoic acid

We report studies of supersonically cooled p-amino benzoic acid using one-color resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization and two-color zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy. With the aid of ab initio and density functional calculations, vibrational modes of the first electronically excited state S(1) of the neutral species and those of the cation have been assigned, and the adiabatic ionization potential has been determined to be 64 540+/-5 cm(-1). A common pattern involving the activation of five vibrational modes of the cation is recognizable among all the ZEKE spectra. A propensity of Deltav=0, where v is the vibrational quantum number of the intermediate vibronic state from S(1), is confirmed, and the origin of this behavior is discussed in the context of electron back donation from the two substituents in the excited state and in the cationic state. A puzzling observation is the doublet splitting of 37 cm(-1) in the ZEKE spectrum obtained via the inversion mode of the S(1) state. This splitting cannot be explained from our density functional calculations.     

Ultrafast nonradiative decay of electronically excited States of malachite green: ab initio calculations

We have investigated the nonradiative deactivation process of malachite green in the singlet excited states, S(1) and S(2), by high-level ab initio quantum chemical calculations using the CASPT2//CASCF approach. The deactivation pathways connecting the Franck-Condon region and conical intersection regions are identified. The initial population in the S(1) state is on a flat surface and the relaxation involves a rotation of phenyl rings, which leads the molecule to reach the conical intersection between the S(1) and S(0) states, where it efficiently decays back to the ground state. There exists a small barrier connecting the Franck-Condon and conical intersection regions on the S(1) potential energy surface. The decay mechanism from the S(2) state also involves the twisting motion of phenyl rings. In contrast to the excitation to the S(1) state, the initial population is on a downhill ramp potential and the barrierless relaxation through the rotation of substituted phenyl rings is expected. During the course of relaxation, the molecule switches to the S(1) state at the conical intersection between S(2) and S(1), and then it decays back to the ground state through the intersection between S(1) and S(0). In relaxation from both S(1) and S(2), large distortion of phenyl rings is required for the ultrafast nonradiative decay to the ground state.     

Tryptophol cation conformations studied with ZEKE spectroscopy

The relative energies of several conformations of the tryptophol cation are determined by zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy and photoionization efficiency measurements. Recently published high-resolution electronic spectroscopy on the neutral species determined the absolute configuration of the different conformers in the S1 spectrum. These assignments are utilized in the photoelectron experiments by pumping through conformer specific S1 resonances yielding ZEKE spectra of the specific, assigned conformations. The adiabatic ionization of one specific conformation is definitively determined, and two others are estimated. The photoelectron spectra, coupled with calculations, reveal that structural changes upon ionization are dominated by interactions of the hydroxyl group with the changes of electronic structure in the aromatic system.     

Jet spectroscopy of arylmethyl radicals in the visible region: assignment of low-frequency vibrational modes in diphenylmethyl and chlorodiphenylmethyl radicals

The D(1)-D(0) transitions of diphenylmethyl (DPM) and chlorodiphenylmethyl (CDPM) radicals were studied by laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy in a supersonic jet. Laser induced fluorescence excitation and dispersed fluorescence (DF) spectra were obtained for DPM and CDPM radicals produced by ArF excimer laser (193 nm) photolyses of their chlorides. With the aid of the density functional theory (DFT) calculation, vibronic bands are assigned by comparing the observed LIF excitation spectra of the jet-cooled radicals with the single vibronic level DF spectra. Low-frequency vibrations of 55 and 53 cm(-1) in the ground and excited states, respectively, are assigned to the symmetric phenyl torsional mode of the DPM radical. The geometries of DPM in the ground and excited states are discussed with regards to observed spectra and DFT calculations. Similarly for the CDPM radical, symmetric phenyl torsional and Ph-C-Ph bending modes are assigned and the halogen-substitution effect in equilibrium geometry is discussed.     

Observation of rotamers of m-aminobenzoic acid: zero kinetic energy photoelectron and hole-burning resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy

We report studies of supersonically cooled m-aminobenzoic acid using two-color resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and two-color zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy. Two conformers have been identified and characterized using the hole-burning method in the REMPI experiment. With the aid of ab initio and density functional calculations, vibrational modes of the first electronically excited state (S(1)) of the neutral species and those of the ground state cation (D(0)) have been assigned, and the adiabatic ionization potentials have been determined for both conformers. The REMPI spectra are dominated by in-plane motions of the substituents and ring deformation modes. A propensity of Deltav=0, where Deltav is the change in vibrational quantum number from the S(1) to the D(0) state, is observed in the ZEKE spectra. The origin of this behavior is discussed in the context of electron back donation from the two substituents in the excited state and in the cationic state. Comparisons of these results with those of p-aminobenzoic acid will be analyzed.     

Ultrafast photodynamics of furan

Ultrafast photodynamics of furan has been studied by time-resolved photoelectron imaging (TRPEI) spectroscopy with an unprecedented time resolution of 22 fs. The simulation of the time-dependent photoelectron kinetic energy distribution (PKED) has been performed with ab initio nonadiabatic dynamics "on the fly" in the frame of time-dependent density functional theory. Based on the agreement between experimental and theoretical time-dependent photoelectron signal intensity as well as on PKED, precise time scales of ultrafast internal conversion from S(2) over S(1) to the ground state S(0) of furan have been revealed for the first time. Upon initial excitation of the S(2) state which has π-π* character, a nonadiabatic transition to the S(1) state occurs within 10 fs. Subsequent dynamics invokes the excitation of the C-O stretching and C-O-C out of plane vibrations which lead to the internal conversion to the ground state after 60 fs. Thus, we demonstrate that the TRPEI combined with high level nonadiabatic dynamics calculations provide fundamental insight into ultrafast photodynamics of chemically and biologically relevant chromophores.     

Photoelectron imaging spectroscopy of S1(1B2u π,π*) benzene via 6(1)1n (n = 0-3) levels

We report resonance-enhanced two-photon ionization photo-electron spectroscopy of jet-cooled benzene via the 6(1)1(n) (n = 0-3) vibronic levels in S(1)((1)B(2u) π,π*) using a nanosecond UV laser and photoelectron imaging. The best energy resolution (ΔE/E) was 0.7%. The photoelectron spectrum from the S(1) 6(1)1(3) level (E(vib) = 3284 cm(-1)) in the channel three region exhibited a clear signature of intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR). The spectral features were consistent with picosecond zero kinetic energy photoelectron (ZEKE) spectra reported by Smith et al. [ J. Phys. Chem. 1995, 99, 1768]. The photoelectron angular anisotropy parameter β(2) was found to be negative in ionization from the 6(1)1(n) (n = 0-3) levels with photoelectron kinetic energies up to 5000 cm(-1). No influence of a shape resonance was identified.     

Resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization and zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy of benzo[g,h,i]perylene

We report zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy of benzo[g,h,i]perylene (BghiP) via resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI). Our analysis concentrates on the vibrational modes of both the first electronically excited state and the ground cationic state. Extensive vibronic coupling due to a nearby electronically excited state manifests through strong Franck-Condon (FC) forbidden bands, which are stronger than even the FC allowed bands in the REMPI spectrum. Theoretical calculations using Gaussian are problematic in identifying the electronic configurations of the excited electronic states and predicting the transition energies. However, by setting the keyword for the second excited electronic state, both density functional theory and configuration interaction methods can reproduce the observed spectrum qualitatively. The general agreement significantly helps with the vibrational assignment. The ZEKE spectra demonstrate propensity in preserving the vibrational excitation of the intermediate electronic state. In addition, almost all ZEKE spectra exhibit a similar vibrational distribution, and the distribution can be reproduced by an FC calculation from the vibronic origin of the first excited electronic state to the cationic state using Gaussian 09. These results suggest a remarkable structural stability of BghiP in accommodating the additional charge. All observed vibrational bands of the cation are IR active, establishing the role of ZEKE spectroscopy in mapping out far-infrared bands for astrophysical applications.     

Experimental and ab initio study of a new D 1Deltag state of the C3 radical

We report here the first observation of the D (1)Delta(g) state of the C(3) radical, which provides the first comprehensively analyzed example of the dynamic Renner-Teller splitting in Delta symmetry. Two color double resonance spectroscopy via the A (1)Pi(u) state was employed to experimentally probe an extensive range of vibronic levels in this D (1)Delta(g) state, covering all three modes of vibration of C(3). The analysis was supported by ab initio potential energy surface calculations on the C(3) radical to outline the lowest eight singlet electronic states. Two methods were used to analyze the Renner-Teller effect. The first method is an empirical Hamiltonian based on normal modes, using harmonic oscillator functions as a basis, with Renner-Teller and other terms added as required, which allows conventional vibrational parameters to be determined. The second is a much larger program that uses the exact kinetic energy operator for a triatomic molecule to calculate vibronic energy levels directly from the Renner-Teller pair of potential energy surfaces. Both methods give a good fit to the experimental results, with only a small adjustment to the ab initio surfaces required for the latter. One of the overall conclusions is that the Renner-Teller effect is rather smaller in the D (1)Delta(g) state than in the A (1)Pi(u) state.     

Spectroscopy and thermochemistry of a jet-cooled open-shell polyene: 1,4-pentadienyl radical

The 1,4-pentadienyl (vinylallyl) radical has been observed for the first time by optical spectroscopy. An excitation spectrum is recorded on m/z 67 by resonant two-color two-photon ionization spectroscopy. Several bands are observed with the origin transition identified at 19 449 cm(-1). The spectrum is assigned by a comparison with ab initio frequencies calculated at the CASPT2/cc-pVTZ level of theory, with an accompanying Franck-Condon calculation of the excitation spectrum, including Dushinsky mixing. The b(1) and a(2) outer C-C bond torsional modes are calculated to halve in frequency upon electronic excitation, bringing about their appearance in the excitation spectrum. This can be readily understood by considering the torsional sensitivity of the frontier molecular orbital energies. High-level quantum chemical calculations of the radical stabilization energy, resulting in a value of nearly 120 kJ mol(-1), provide quantitative confirmation that this radical is highly stabilized.     

The Jahn-Teller effect in CH(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) and CD(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) studied by zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy

The Jahn-Teller effect in CH(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) and CD(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) has been found experimentally by zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy using coherent extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation. The vibronic bands of CH(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) and CD(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) at about 4500 cm(-1) above the ground states have been recorded. The spectra consist mainly of the Jahn-Teller active C-C[triple bond]N bending (v(8)), the CN stretching (v(2)), the CH(3) (CD(3)) deforming (v(6)), and the C-C stretching (v(4)) vibronic excitations. The Jahn-Teller active vibronic bands (v(8)) have been assigned with a harmonic model including linear and quadratic Jahn-Teller coupling terms, taking into account only the single mode vibronic excitation. The ionization potentials of CH(3)CN and CD(3)CN have also been determined, and their values are 12.2040(+/-0.001) and 12.2286(+/-0.001) eV, respectively.     

Photoelectron Spectroscopy,Photoionization Mass Spectroscopy,and Theoretical Study on CCl3SSCN

Trichloromethanesulfenyl thiocyanate, CCl3SSCN, was generated and studied by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), photoionization mass spectroscopy (PIMS), and theoretical calculations. This molecule exhibits a gauche conformation, and the torsional angle around S-S bond is 91.4 o due to the sulfur-sulfur lone pair interactions. After ionization, the ground-state cationic-radical form of CCl3SSCN*+ adopts a trans planar main-atom structure with Cs symmetry. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of CCl3SSCN corresponds to the electrons mainly localized on the sulfur 3p lone pair MO. The first ionization energy is determined to be 10.40 eV.     

Mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of pyridine. Structural distortion in the first excited state

For the first time, vibrational spectra of the pyridine cation in the electronic ground state have been measured via several intermediate states (0(0), 16b0(2), 16b0(4), 6a0(1), 6b(1), 16a0(1), 10a0(1) and 12(1)) by Mass-Analyzed Threshold Ionization (MATI) spectroscopy. From the MATI spectra, the adiabatic ionization energy of pyridine has been determined to be 74,185 +/- 6 cm(-1) (9.1978 +/- 0.0008 eV). Several vibronic modes in the ionic ground state could be assigned for the first time. An intensity gain of vibrations having b1 symmetry could be observed by activating the ion ground state. Also, a breakdown of the "delta nu = 0 propensity rule" for the excitation via the 16b(2) and 16b(4) states of the first excited states are displayed in the recorded spectra. In conjunction with ab initio calculations these observations can be explained by a strong geometrical distortion along the 16b vibration in the first excited state, leading to a "boat distortion".     

Theoretical and experimental investigations of the electronic Rydberg states of diazomethane: assignments and state interactions

The electronic states of diazomethane in the region 3.00-8.00 eV have been characterized by ab initio calculations, and electronic transitions in the region 6.32-7.30 eV have been examined experimentally using a combination of 2 + 1 REMPI spectroscopy and photoelectron imaging in a molecular beam. In the examined region, three Rydberg states of 3p character contribute to the transitions, 2(1)A2(3p(y) <-- pi), 2(1)B1(3p(z) <-- pi), and 3(1)A1(3p(x) <-- pi). The former two states are of mostly pure Rydberg character and exhibit a resolved K structure, whereas the 3(1)A1(3p(x) <-- pi) state is mixed with the valence 2(1)A1(pi* <-- pi) state, which is unbound and is strongly predissociative. Analyses of photoelectron kinetic energy distributions indicate that the ground vibrational level of the 2(1)B1(3p(z)) state is mixed with the 2(1)A2(3p(y)) nu(9) level, which is of B1 vibronic symmetry. The other 2(1)A2(3p(y)) vibronic states exhibit pure Rydberg character, generating ions in single vibrational levels. The photoelectron spectra of the 3(1)A1(3p(x) <-- pi) state, on the other hand, give rise to many states of the ion as a result of strong mixing with the valence state, as evidenced also in the ab initio calculations. The equilibrium geometries of the electronic states of neutral diazomethane were calculated by CCSD(T), using the cc-pVTZ basis, and by B3LYP, using the 6-311G(2df,p) basis. Geometry and frequencies of the ground state of the cation were calculated by CCSD(T)/cc-pVTZ, using the unrestricted (UHF) reference. Vertical excitation energies were calculated using EOM-CCSD/6-311(3+,+)G* at the B3LYP optimized geometry. The theoretical results show that the 2(1)A2(3p(y) <-- pi) and 2(1)B1(3p(z) <-- pi) states have geometries similar to the ion, which has C(2v) symmetry, with slight differences due to the interactions of the electron in the 3p orbital with the nuclei charge distributions. The geometry of the 3(1)A1(3p(x) <-- pi) state is quite different and has Cs symmetry. The experimental and theoretical results agree very well, both in regard to excitation energies and to vibrational modes of the ion.     

Two-color resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization and zero-kinetic-energy photoelectron spectroscopy of jet-cooled indan

We report studies of supersonically cooled indan using two-color resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization and two-color zero-kinetic-energy photoelectron spectroscopy. With the aid of ab initio and density-functional calculations, vibrational modes of the first electronically excited state of the neutral species and those of the cation have been assigned, and the adiabatic ionization energy has been determined to be 68458 +/- 5 cm(-1). Similar to the ground state and the first electronically excited state of the neutral molecule, the ground state of the cation is also proven to be nonplanar, with an estimated barrier of 213 cm(-1) and a puckering angle of 15.0 degrees. These conclusions will be discussed in comparison with a previous study of an indan derivative 1,3-benzodioxole.