A MS-CASPT2 study of the low-lying electronic excited states of CH2BrCl

The low-lying singlet excited states of CH₂BrCl have been calculated using multiconfigurational CASSCF, second-order perturbation theory CASPT2 and its multistate extension MS-CASPT2. The CASSCF method shows spurious valence–Rydberg mixing and a wrong order of states. Inclusion of dynamical correlation by single root CASPT2 lowers dramatically the energy of the valences states but does not lead to a complete separation between valence and Rydberg states. This situation is improved by the MS-CASPT2 calculations, which gives two valence states for both A^′ and A″ symmetries below the lowest Rydberg state, corresponding to n(Br)→σ^*(C–Br) and n(Cl)→σ^*(C–Cl) transitions at 6.1 eV (203 nm) and 7.2 eV (173 nm), and being repulsive along C–Br and C–Cl coordinates.     

The Rydberg Nature And Assignments Of Excited States Of The Water Molecule

We report ab initio theoretical calculation on 32 excited states of H₂ O found to lie below 11.7 eV. Of the eight states observed experimentally, the average discrepancy between theoretical and experimental excitation energies is 0.1 eV. We find that the excited states can each be characterized as arising from an excitation to a Rydberg orbital. Our results indicate that the ? and F? states are both 3d-like excited states rather than one 3d state and one 4s state as previously assumed and similarly for the two Rydberg series joining onto ? and F?. The nsa₁ Rydberg series is found to have a quantum defect of 1.38. joining onto the Ã(¹B₁ state. We have assigned the 9.81 eV transition observed by electron impact as the 1b₁ – 3pb₁ excitation to a ³A₁ state.     

Low-energy electron-impact excitation spectra of formaldehyde,acetaldehyde and acetone

Threshold electron-impact excitation spectra, transmission spectra and n→n^* excitation functions are presented for formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acetone. Formation of temporary negative ion states and their decay-channels are discussed. The electronic transition near 4 eV is shown to be due both to triplet and singlet n→n^* excitation. The energy positions of the ³n→n^* and first triplet Rydberg transition are accurately located. In formaldehyde a new transition is reported at 8.50 eV. Assignments are given for the observed electronic excitation processes.     

All-valence-electron Cl calculations on the electronic spectrum of diborane

All-valence-electron Cl calculations have been carried out for diborane B₂H₆ and its positive ion employing a rather large double-zeta AO basis including polarization functions in order to study the electronic spectrum of this system. Transitions from four different valence MOs are found to lead to low-lying electronic transitions of both Rydberg and valence type in each case. Ad mixture of valence character in the otherwise Rydberg-like (nx, 3s), (ny, 3s) and (σ, 3pz) transitions calculated to lie between 11.0 and 11.6 eV is indicated as being primarily responsible for the highly intense shoulder found in this region of the B₂H₆ spectrum. The other strong feature with essentially continuous absorption peaking at 9.3 eV is suggested to result from superposition of several Rydberg-type transitions in the generally broad absorption pattern expected for the ¹(π,π^*) species at significantly higher vertical excitation energy. Quite good agreement is obtained between calculation and experiment for all of the six lowest IPs of diborane and also for the locations of the ¹(n, π^*) and ¹(σ, π^*) transitions previously assigned to the two weak features observed at 6.8 and 8.3 eV in this spectrum.     

Non-empirical SCF and Cl Study of the ground and excited states of thioformaldehyde

Ab initio SCF and Cl calculations are reported for ground and various low-lying Rydberg and valence excited states of thioformaldehyde H₂CS. A double-zeta basis of near Hartree-Fock quality is employed in this work and the importance of polarization functions is also assessed. The calculations indicate uniformly larger CX bond lengths in this system than for H₂CO in the corresponding electronic states; they also lind potential minima for H₂CS non-planar nuclear conformations in the (n,π^*) and (π,π^*) excited states but in each case the calculated inversion barriers are seen to be smaller than those encountered in formaldehyde. The vertical transition energies to the various excited states studied are also found to be significantly smaller in H₂CS than in H₂CO but the order of electronic states is concluded to be virtually identical for the two systems. The lowest-lying excited states are the ^3,1(n,π^*) species calculated at 1.84 and 2.17 eV respectively; the first two allowed transitions are indicated to be the Rydberg species (n,s_R) and (n,px_R) at 5.83 and 6.62 eV. These are followed by the two allowed transitions σ → π^* and π → π^* at 7.51 and 7.92 eV respectively, both well below the first ionization limit in H₂CS. The much smaller splitting between the ^3,1(π,π^*) species in H₂CS than in H₂CO is attributed to the relatively diffuse charge distribution of the sulfur atom compared to that of oxygen.     

All-valence-electron CI treatment of the electronic spectrum of trans-butadiene

An all-valence-electron CI treatment is reported for the low-lying valence and Rydberg states of butadiene. All singly- and doubly-excited configurations relative to a series of the leading terms in a given CI expansion are taken into account, with resulting secular equation orders of as high as 150 000. The agreement between calculated and experimental transition energies is invariably better than 0.2 eV where comparison is possible, with all low-lying valence triplet and Rydberg singlet excited states being unambiguously assigned. The valence-shell excitation to the 2 ¹A_g species is concluded to correspond to the 7.06 eV band system, while the forbidden singlet—singlet transition reported by McDiarmid is assigned as x₂ → 3s. The possibility of an avoided crossing between Rydberg valence ¹B_u excited states having a determining influence on the appearance of the broad intense V₁—N absorption is also discussed.     

Lifetime measurements of highly excited Rydberg states of strontium I

Lifetimes of Rydberg states of the triplet-series 5s ns ³ S ₁ withn = 19–23, 35 and 5s nd ³ D ₃ withn = 18–20, 23–28 in the spectrum of neutral strontium have been determined. Observation of the exponential decay after excitation by a pulsed laser in a fast atomic beam and subsequent state-selective field ionization was employed. The lifetimes of the states of the³ S ₁-series show the expectedn*³ dependence on the effective principal quantum number, while the³ D ₃-series is disturbed by configuration mixing. Furthermore, state re-populations induced by black-body radiation have been observed.     

Dielectronic recombination of lithium-like Ar15+

Dielectronic recombination (DR) of Ar¹⁵⁺(1s ²2s) ions was studied in a single-pass merged-beams experiment at the UNILAC (universal linear accelerator) of GSI. Absolute recombination rates and cross sections were measured for electron-ion center-of-mass energies from 0 to 580 eV. A number of Rydberg states formed by DR with 2s → 2p (Δn=0) and 2s → 3? (Δn=1) core excitations and even individual terms in the 1s ²3?3?′ configuration could be resolved. Theoretical calculations of DR cross sections are in good overall agreement with the data. In the calculations for Δn=0 transitions, effects of electric fields have to be included to reproduce the magnitude of the measured DR rates at the limit of the 2 _{p 1/2}? and 2 _{p 3/2}? Rydberg series. Discrepancies between theory and experiment are observed at the series limits of the (1s ²3?n?′) Rydberg series.     

Further evidence of the vibronic coupling of pyrazine as revealed by preresonance raman effect

The excitation wavelength dependences of the intensities of the Raman lines of pyrazine have been measured. The intensity enhancement of the non-totally symmetric Raman line at 925 cm^?1 provided firm evidence of the vibronic coupling between the lowest ¹B_3u(n,π^*) and second lowest ¹B_2u(π,π^*) states. The excitation wavelength dependences of other non-totally symmetric Raman lines suggest also the various vibronic coupling schemes.     

Vibronic spectra of the allyl radical at 6–8 eV with resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization technique

The allyl radical was produced in molecular beam by pyrolysis of allyl iodide. The vibronic spectra from ground state to six new electronic states of the allyl radical at 6–8 eV, π →3d^xz, π →3d^xy and π →ns (n=4, 6, 7, 8) were observed firstly with the aid of time-of-flight mass spectros copy and resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization technique. Vibrational progression ofv ₇(C₃ bend) with gross spacing of about 430 cm⁻¹ was observed inns Rydberg states. The adiabatic ionization potential of the allyl radical was obtained to be (65641 ± 20) cm⁻¹ ((8.138 ± 0.002) eV) by fitting the term values ofns (n=4,6,7,8) Rydberg states with Rydberg formula.     

The electronic states of but-2-yne studied by VUV absorption, near-threshold electron energy-loss spectroscopy and ab initio configuration interaction methods

The photoabsorption spectrum of but-2-yne in the range 5.5–11 eV (225–110 nm) has been recorded using a synchrotron radiation source. The spectrum is dominated by three d-type Rydberg series, converging to the first ionisation energy (IE) (π⁻¹, 9.562 eV). Origins of the π3d members are 7.841, 7.977 and 8.018 eV, respectively. Transitions of low intensity, arising from excitation of the π3s state (origin, 6.35 eV) and two π3p Rydberg states (7.38 and 7.51 eV, respectively) have also been identified in the spectrum. Near-threshold electron energy-loss spectra reveal valence excited triplet states at about 5.2 and 5.8 eV, respectively.Electronic excitation energies for valence and Rydberg-type states have been computed using ab initio multi-reference multi-root CI methods. These studies used a triple zeta + polarisation basis set, augmented by diffuse (Rydberg) orbitals, to generate the theoretical singlet and triplet energy manifolds. The correlation of theory and experiment shows the nature of the more intense Rydberg state types, and identification of the main valence and Rydberg bands. Calculated energies for Rydberg states are close to those expected, and there is generally a good correlation between the theoretical and experimental envelopes. It was possible to generate singlet Rydberg states which relate to the 5-lowest IEs of but-2-yne; furthermore, the separation of these sequences shows that the IE order (under D_3h symmetry) is: , also supported by direct calculation of the IEs by CI.The lowest valence singlet states are ππ^*, optically forbidden, and calculated to lie near 7.3 and 7.6 eV. The states which contribute strongly to the observed spectrum are πσ^* near 7.9 eV having excitation, followed by several ππ^* and πσ^* states between 10.0 and 10.5 eV; an ¹E′ antisymmetric combination(2e′2e″ − 2e′2e″) is by far the strongest in intensity. A further group of symmetry-allowed valence states are calculated to lie near 12.3 and 12.9 eV. The two lowest triplet states, both of E′ symmetry (ππ^*), have vertical excitation energies of 5.7 and 6.2 eV, but are strongly bent with a trans-CCCC unit (C_S and C_2h). The theoretical work confirms that, on intensity grounds, valence excited states do not contribute significantly to the spectrum. CI calculations of the ionic states give the ionisation energy sequence (D_3h): . Adiabatic structures for the first cation, two triplets, and a singlet (C_2h) were obtained; these show shortening of C–C, and lengthening of CC, in a trans-CCCC, as is found with ethyne.     

Attachment of NH3 clusters to Hg(6P0)

The ultraviolet luminescence from the Hg-photosensitised reaction of ammonia was investigated at pressures up to 10 atmospheres. From a variation of the wavelength distribution on the [NH₃], it was concluded that Hg(6³P₀) can attach clusters of NH₃ molecules to form Hg(NH₃)_n^* with n up to at least 5. The emission profiles of the stabilized complexes with n = 1–4 were determined, and also the profile from unstabilised HgNH₃^* formed in a bimolecular encounter of Hg(6³P₀) with NH₃. Dissociation constants for complexes with n = 2, 3 and 4 were measured.     

Theoretical studies of excited states of H3O and of core-excited NH3: Comparisons with equivalent core analysis of NH3 core-excitation spectra and implications for the radiation chemistry of aqueous systems

The H₃O radical has been studied within the ab initio LCAO SCF MO model. A flexible basis set including diffuse basis functions at both O and H has been used in order to represent the excited states adequately. Calculated excitation energies are 1.87, 2.87–3.16, and 3.36–3.47 eV; the calculated ionization energy is 4.75 eV. These represent well the experimental values (good to ±0.3 eV) of 1.6, 2.9, and 3.5 eV for excitation, and 5.0 eV for ionization, deduced by equivalent core analysis of high energy electron impact energy loss studies of NH₃. Similar explicit calculations on the N-1s core-excited states of NH₃ have also been made to examine directly the equivalent core concept. “Excited states” (relative to the lowest bound core-excited state) at 1.72, 2.85–3.09, and 3.32 eV, and the “ionization energy” of 4.68 eV, agree well with experiment and support the equivalent core concept. The possible significance of these H₃O results in the radiation chemistry of aqueous media is discussed in view of the fact that the maximum in the absorption spectrum of the hydrated electron lies near that of H₃O.     

Translational energy distribution of excited deuterium atoms produced by controlled electron impact on D2

The Balmer-β line of the excited deuterium atom [D*(n = 4)] produced in e—D₂ collisions has been measured at high resolution (0.029–0.033 Å) and at various electron energies (17–100 eV). The translational energy distribution of D*(n = 4) has been calculated from analysis of its Doppler line shape. The distribution of D* has three major components as in the case of H*(n = 4) from H₂ reported in our previous paper. Their peaks lie at about 0, 6 and 8 eV. The excitation function of D* is found to have two thresholds at 17.4 and 26.4 eV. The second component of D* has a larger translational energy and a higher threshold than those of the corresponding component of H*. These results indicate that the contribution from the lowest doubly excited state, ¹Σ_g⁺(2pσ_u)², is much smaller for D₂ than that for H₂.     

Theoretical analysis of vibronic coupling in the lowest T1[3A'2(ππ*)] state of triphenylene-h12 and-d12

The recently observed T₁ ← S_O excitation spectra of triphenylene-h₁₂ and -d₁₂ are analysed in terms of interstate pseudo-Jahn-Teller and intrastate Jahn-Teller coupling of the two lowest triplet states, T₁ [³A'₂(ππ¹)] and T₂[³E'(ππ^*)], via an e' mode.     

Vibrational analysis of the electronic spectrum of ethylene based onab initio SCF-CI calculations

Ab initio calculations for CH₂ twisting and CC stretching vibrational wavefunctions and energy levels are reported for various electronic states of ethylene C₂H₄. Electronic transition moments between these states are also obtained to allow a calculation of the oscillator strengths for vibrational transitions involved in various electronic band systems; from this study it is concluded that thevertical electronic energy differenceΔE _e may differ significantly from the energy of the absorption maximumΔE _max with which it is often equated. In particular it is found in the case of theπ→π ^* singlet-singlet excitation of ethylene that theΔE _e value overestimates the most probable vibrational transition energy (7.89 eV) by some 0.4 eV, thereby offering an explanation for the fact that previous attempts to predict the location of theV-N Franck-Condon absorption maximum have consistently obtained substantially higher results than the 7.66 eV value actually observed. Similar calculations for various Rydberg species and for theN-T transition are also found to obtain a quite consistent representation of the electronic spectrum of this system.     

Bridged bimetallic complexes of molybdenum tris(dimethylpyrazolyl)borates

Summary The syntheses of [MoL^*(NO)(OR)NHC₆H₄NH₂)], [MoL^*(NO)I(NHC₆H₄NHMoL^*(NO)(OR)] (L^*=tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate; R=Me, Et,n-Pr,i-Pr,n-Bu and C₅H₁₁), and [{MoL^*(NO)(OR)}₂NHC₆H₄NH] (R=Me, Et andn-Pr) are described, the compounds being characterised by elemental analyses, i.r. and¹H n.m.r. spectroscopy.     

Perturbations of molecular extravalence excitations by rare-gas fluids

In this paper we report the results of an experimental study of the vacuum ultraviolet absorption spectra of molecular impurity states of methyl iodide in Ar (density range ? = 0–1.4 g cm^?3) and in Kr (? = 0–2.3 g cm^?3), of carbon disulphide in Ar (? = 0–1.4 g cm^?3) and of formaldehyde in Ar (? = 0–1.25 g cm^?3). The experimental results provide new information regarding medium perturbations of intravalenc transitions, of the lowest extravalence transitions and of transitions to mixed valence—Rydberg configurations, which serve as a diagnostic tool to distinguish between different types of electronic excitations. All the lowest extravalence molecular excitations exhibit appreciable blue spectral shifts at moderate and at high fluid densities, intravalence transitions are practically insensitive to medium effects, while excitations to mixed valence—Rydberg configurations are characterized by a moderate blue spectral shift. New information has been obtained concerning the energetics of molecular ionization processes in a dense fluid. The high n = 2–5 Rydberg states of CH₃l exhibit a large red shift at moderate (? = 0–0.5 cm^?3) Ar densities. The ionization potential E_g and the effective Rydberg constant G for CH₃I in Ar was found to decrease from G = 13.6 eV and E_g = 9.55 eV at ? = 0 and E_g = 9.08 eV and constant G for CH₃l in Ar was found to decrease from G = 13.6 eV and E_g = 9.55eV at ? = 0 and E_g = 9.08 eV and G ≈ 7.15 eV at ? = 0.5 g cm^?3. Experimental evidence was obtained for the identification of n = 2 molecular Wannier impurity states of CH₃I and of CH₂O in liquid Ar. These spectroscopic data result in E_g ≈ 8.6 eV for CH₃I in liquid Ar and E_g ≈ 10.2 eV for CH₂O in liquid Ar.     

Rydberg states of the K2 molecule studied by laser spectroscopy in a supersonic beam

Rydberg states of potassium dimer have been studied in a crossed laser-molecular beam experiment. The K₂ molecules were formed in a supersonic expansion and excited by low-power cw dye laser. Two different excitation schemes have been used: The first scheme uses a single mode ring dye laser to induce near resonant two-photon transitions while in the second scheme stepwise excitation with two dye lasers is used. In each case excitation of Rydberg levels was detected by monitoring the ionization signal resulting from three-photon absorption. We report a detailed study of 700 two-photon resonances between 625 nm and 650 nm. Most of these signals can be assigned to transitions from the X¹σ _g ⁺ to¹σ _g ⁺ ,¹Π _g , and^1Δ _g states, which are all enhanced by the B¹Π _u intermediate state. Accurate rotational constants are given for the populated vibrational levels of these states. By stepwise excitation of Rydberg levels via theB ¹Π _u state we identify 3 series of Rydberg states as¹Δ _g (4S+nD),¹Σ _g ⁺ (4S+nD), and¹Σ _g ⁺ (4S+nS) with principal quantum numbers 7≦n≦20. Molecular constants of these and other observed but as yet unidentified states are given; quantum defects and dissociation energies are discussed.