Mechanisms of anion formation in O2, O2/Ar and O2/Ne clusters; the role of inelastic electron scattering

Measurements are reported on the formation of negative ions in O₂, O₂/Ar and O₂/Ne clusters aimed at establishing the mechanisms of anion formation and the role of inelastic electron scattering by the cluster constituents on negative ion formation in clusters. In the case of pure O₂ clusters the main anions we detected are of two types: O^–(O₂) _n0 and (O₂) _n ^1– . The yields of O^–(O₂) _n showed maxima at 6.3, 8.0 and 14.0 eV and the data suggest O^– as their precursor; the maxima at 8 and 14 eV are due to the production of O^– via symmetry forbidden dissociative attachment processes in O₂ at these energies which become allowed in clusters. The yields of (O₂) _n ^– showed a strong maximum at near-zero energy (0.5 eV) and also at 6.3, 8 and 14 eV. With the exception of the near-zero energy resonance, the (O₂) _n ^– anions at 6.3, 8 and 14 eV are attributed to nondissociative attachment of near-zero energy secondary electrons to O₂ clusters. The slow secondary electrons result predominantly from scattering via the O ₂ ^– negative ion states of incident electrons with energies in their respective regions. Similar results were obtained for the mixed O₂/rare gas clusters except that now a feeble and distinctly structured contribution in the yields of O^–(O₂) _n , (O₂) _n ^– (and Ar(O₂) _n ^– ) was observed at energies >10 eV. These anions are believed to have the lowest negative ion states of Ar*^– (Ne*^–) as their precursors.     

Test study on the excitation spectra of the N<Subscript>2</Subscript>–He van der Waals molecule

We have performed ab initio fourth-order Møller–Plesset perturbation theory calculations in the framework of the supermolecule approach on the vertical excitation spectra of the weakly bound van der Waals N₂–He dimer. They indicate a ``T-shaped' stablest ground N<sub>2</sub>(X<sup>1</sup><sub>g</sub><sup>+</sup>)–He(<sup>1</sup>S) electronic state with a well depth, D<sub>e</sub>, of 21.63 cm<sup>–1</sup> at a minimum distance, R<sub>e</sub>, of 3.44 Å and zero-point vibration correction, D<sub>o</sub>, of 7.07 cm<sup>–1</sup>. They also indicate a ``T-shaped' stablest excited conformer with R_e=3.25 Å, D_e=36.85 cm^–1 and D_o=17.06 cm^–1 for the N₂(B³_g)–He(¹S) triplet electronic level. In order to investigate the use of less-demanding correlation methods, test density functional theory calculations using the mPW1PW exchange–correlation functional are also presented for comparison.     

Structure of nm-sized InSb clusters formed by spontaneous alloying

The negative ion photoelectron spectrum of⁷Li ₂ ^– is reported at 488 nm (2.540 eV). Three electronic bands are observed in this spectrum and are assigned to the following photodetachment transitions:⁷Li₂,X ¹ _g ⁺ +e ^{– 7}Li ₂ ^– ,X ² _u ⁺ ;⁷Li₂,a ³ _u ⁺ +e ^{– 7}Li ₂ ^– ,X ² _u ⁺ ; and⁷Li₂,A ¹ _u ⁺ +e ^{– 7}Li ₂ ^– ,X ² _u ⁺ . The electron affinity of⁷Li₂ is determined to be 0.437±0.009 eV, leading to an anion dissociation energy,D ₀, of 0.865±0.022 eV for the ground state of⁷Li ₂ ^– . A Franck-Condon analysis of the⁷Li₂,X ¹ _g ⁺ +e ^{– 7}Li ₂ ^– ,X ² _u ⁺ band yields the following spectroscopic constants for the ground state of⁷Li ₂ ^– :B _e =0.502±0.005 cm^–1,r _e =3.094±0.015 Å, and _e =232±35 cm^–1.     

Theoretical Evidence of Aromaticity in X3 − (X = B, Al, Ga) Species

We investigated the electronic structure and chemical bonding of the B₃ ^–, Al₃ ^–, and Ga₃ ^– anions, and the gas phase NaB₃, NaAl₃, and NaGa₃ molecules. We found that the ground state of the neutral gas phase salts contains an equilateral triangular anion interacting with a Na⁺ cation. The B₃ ^–, Al₃ ^–, and Ga₃ ^– anions possess two delocalized electrons and are found to be aromatic. The triangular anions have been shown to be related to recently synthesized organometallic compound containing an aromatic -Ga₃ ^2– unit, but they are differ from them by four valence electrons. The reason for earlier appearance of the -orbital in the B₃ ^–, Al₃ ^–, and Ga₃ ^– anions is discussed.     

Complex compounds of tetracycline with WO 4 2− and MoO 4 2− ions. Investigation by pH-metric and conductometric methods

By using pH-metric and conductometric methods it has been found that tetracycline (H₃TC) forms with WO ₄ ^2– and MoO ₄ ^2– ions the following complex compounds: [WO₃HTC]^2–, [WO₃(H₂TC)₂]^2– and [MoO₃(H₂TC)₂]^2–. Stability constants log/gb ₁ ^k =7.86 and log ₁ ^k =7.80 for [WO₃HTC]^2– and [MoO₃HTC]^2–, respectively, have been calculated from pH-metric measurements.     

Modeling water exchange on monomeric and dimeric Mn centers

Water exchange on Mn centers in proteins has been modeled with density functional theory using the B3LYP functional. The reaction barrier for dissociative water exchange on [Mn^IV(H₂O)₂(OH)₄] is only 9.6 kcal mol^–1, corresponding to a rate of 6×10⁵ s^–1. It has also been investigated how modifications of the model complex change the exchange rate. Three cases of water exchange on Mn dimers have been modeled. The reaction barrier for dissociative exchange of a terminal water ligand on [(H₂O)₂(OH)₂Mn^IV(-O)₂Mn^IV(H₂O)₂(OH)₂] is 8.6 kcal mol^–1, while the bridging oxo group exchange with a ring-opening mechanism has a barrier of 19.2 kcal mol^–1. These results are intended for interpretations of measurements of water exchange for the oxygen evolving complex of photosystem II. Finally, a tautomerization mechanism for exchange of a terminal oxyl radical has been modeled for the synthetic O₂ catalyst [(terpy)(H₂O)Mn^IV(-O)₂Mn^IV(O)(terpy)]³⁺ (terpy=2,2:6,2-terpyridine). The calculated reaction barrier is 14.7 kcal mol^–1.Contribution to the Björn Roos Honorary Issue     

Infrared diode laser spectroscopy of the ν = 2 band of AlF

A vibrational–rotational spectrum of the ν = 2 transitions of a high-temperature molecule AlF was observed between 1490 and 1586 cm⁻¹ with a diode laser spectrometer. Measurements were made on the ν = 3–1, 4–2, 5–3 and 8–6 bands at a temperature of 900 °C. Measured spectral lines were fitted to effective band constants ν₀, B_ν and D_ν for each band. Present measurements were made with only one Pb-salt laser diode. Physical significance of the effective band constants is discussed.     

On the modulation of electron energy distribution function in radiofrequency SiH4, SiH4−H2 bulk plasmas

Electron energy distribution functions (EDF) in SiH₄, SiH₄–H₂ radiofrequency discharges have been calculated by solving the time-dependent Boltzmann equation in the presence of a sinusoidal field. Particular emphasis is given to the modulation of EDF as a function of the applied frequency (·10⁶/p ₀ ·10⁸ sec^–1 torr^–1) and of gas composition. The results show that at /p ₀ = ·10⁶ sec^–1 torr^–1 EDF follows in a quasistationary mode the variation of the field with the exception of a small range of electric field near to the zero crossing. Still, at the higher considered frequency (/p ₀ =·10⁸ sec^–1 torr^–1), we observe some modulation of EDF. The necessity of using a time-dependent approach is tested by comparing the present results with the corresponding ones obtained by using the effective field approximation (i.e., the approximation which solves instead of the time-dependent Boltzmann equation the corresponding stationary one at the effective values of the rf field). The two sets of results can differ by orders of magnitude in the tail of EDF, the differences decreasing with increasing molar fraction of H₂ and increasing field frequency. The role of excited states (second-kind collisions) is studied by inserting in the Boltzmann equation given concentrations of vibrational and electronic states. The results show that second-kind collisions strongly affect EDF especially in pure silane. Finally a satisfactory agreement has been found between theoretical and experimental results concerning the modulation of electrons of given energy in pure silane discharges.     

Intensity distribution in the vibronic Γ7(2 T 2g )→Γ8(4 A 2g ) transition of ReBr 6 2− in Hexahalogenostannate host crystals

The phosphorescence spectra of ReBr ₆ ^2– doped A₂SnX₆ (A = K, Rb, Cs; X = Cl, Br) have been measured at 10 K. The spectra consist of a weighted sum of progressions associated with the local modes of the ReBr ₆ ^2– center. By a fit to a generalized Lorentzian line shape function the totally symmetric distortion of the ₇(² T _2g ) excited state relative to the ₈(⁴ A _2g ) ground state has been determined.Dedicated to Professor Dr. H.-H. Schmidtke on the occasion of his 50th birthday.     

The migratory insertion of carbon monoxide and methyl isocyanide into zirconium–carbon and titanium–carbon bonds anchored to a calix[4]arene moiety: a dynamical density functional study

The energetics and reaction mechanism of the migratory insertion of carbon monoxide and methyl isocyanide into the zirconium–carbon and titanium–carbon bonds in [calix[4](OMe)₂(O)₂–M–Me₂], (M=Zr, Ti), have been investigated by combining static and dynamic density functional calculations. Two steps have been characterized: the coordination of the incoming nucleophilic moiety leading to relatively stable facial adducts; its subsequent insertion into the M–C bond, leading to ²-bound acyl or iminoacyl complexes, providing a rationale for the different behavior of CO and MeNC towards both insertion and deinsertion reactions. Our results indicate that the rate-determining step for the overall MeNC insertion into the M–C bond is its coordination to the electron-deficient metal center, with the titanium system featuring a higher energy barrier (12.7 versus 5.5 kcal mol^–1). Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations have been performed on the Zr system by means of the Car–Parrinello method, to study the hitherto inaccessible mechanistic features of the insertion reactions.Contribution to the Björn Roos Honorary Issue     

1H NMR studies on intermolecular association of amphiphilic cationic polyelectrolyte micelles induced by hydrophobic counteranions in water

Interactions of a series of amphiphilic cationic polyelectrolytes with various kinds of organic counteranions have been investigated in water by one- and two-dimensional ¹H NMR spectroscopy at 20 °C. The cationic polyelectrolytes were prepared by micellar homopolymerization of tail-type cationic surface-active monomers with a cationic charge with -end, (ST–C_m–AB, m=5, 7, and 9, where ST is a styrenic group, C_m, an alkylene chain at the 4-position of styrene, and AB, alkyltrimethylammonium bromide). Aliphatic monosodium salt of maleic acid (MAS) and its stereoisomer, fumaric acid (FAS), sodium benzoate (NaB), potassium hydrogen phthalate (PHK), and sodium salicylate (NaSal) were added to a salt-free aqueous solution of the polyelectrolytes and ¹H NMR measurements were carried out. Amphiphilic P(ST–C_m–AB) polyelectrolytes act as efficient hosts to strongly capture the hydrophobic counteranions B^–, PH^–, and Sal^–, but not MA^– and FA^–. The ¹H NMR signals of these hydrophobic counteranions remarkably shift upfield and broaden in water in the presence of the amphiphilic polyelectrolytes. The nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) signals between the cationic group of the polymer and aromatic benzoate counteranion protons are clearly observed to imply cation– interaction. The capturing of hydrophobic counterions by the polyelectrolytes is likely due to electrostatic, hydrophobic, and cation– interactions between them. The reduced viscosity, _sp/C_p, for the solution at [PHK]/[P(ST–C₇–AB)]=1.0 steeply increases with increasing polymer concentration (C_p) above ca. 0.9 g/dL to show pronounced viscoelasticity.     

Valence ab initio calculation of the potential-energy curves for the Ca<Subscript>2</Subscript> dimer

The electronic structure of the Ca₂ molecule has been investigated by use of a two-valence-electron semiempirical pseudopotential and applying the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction method with complete-active-space self-consistent-field reference wave functions. Core–valence correlation effects have been accounted for by adding a core-polarization potential to the Hamiltonian. The ground-state properties of the Ca₂ and Ca₂⁺ dimers have also been studied at the single-reference coupled-cluster level with single and double excitations including a perturbative treatment of triple excitations. Good agreement with experiment has been obtained for the ground-state potential curve and the only experimentally known A¹_u⁺ excited state of Ca₂. The spectroscopic parameters D_e and R_e deduced from the calculated potential curves for other states are also reported. In addition, spin–orbit coupling between the singlet and triplet molecular states correlating, respectively, with the (4p)¹P and (4p)³P Ca terms has been investigated using a semi-empirical two-electron spin–orbit pseudopotential. Acknowledgement.This work was supported by grant 5 P03B 082 21 from the Polish State Committee for Scientific Research (KBN).     

Thermodynamic Model for the Solubility of Cr(OH)3(am) in Concentrated NaOH and NaOH–NaNO3 Solutions

The main objective of this study was to develop a thermodynamic model for predicting Cr(III) behavior in concentrated NaOH and in mixed NaOH–NaNO₃ solutions for application to developing effective caustic leaching strategies for high-level nuclear waste sludges. To meet this objective, the solubility of Cr(OH)₃(am) was measured in 0.003 to 10.5 m NaOH, 3.0 m NaOH with NaNO₃ varying from 0.1 to 7.5 m, and 4.6 m NaNO₃ with NaOH varying from 0.1 to 3.5 m at room temperature (22 ± 2°C). A combination of techniques, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and absorptive stripping voltammetry analyses, were used to determine the oxidation state and nature of aqueous Cr. A thermodynamic model, based on the Pitzer equations, was developed from the solubility measurements to account for dramatic increases in aqueous Cr with increases in NaOH concentration. The model includes only two aqueous Cr species, Cr(OH) ₄ ^– and Cr₂O₂(OH) ₄ ^– (although the possible presence of a small percentage of higher oligomers at >5.0 m NaOH cannot be discounted) and their ion–interaction parameters with Na⁺. The logarithms of the equilibrium constants for the reactions involving Cr(OH) ₄ ^– [Cr(OH)₃(am) + OH^– Cr(OH) ₄ ^– ] and Cr₂O₂(OH) ₄ ^2– [2Cr(OH)₃(am) + 2OH^– Cr₂O₂(OH) ₄ ^2– + 2H₂O] were determined to be –4.36 ± 0.24 and –5.24 ± 0.24, respectively. This model was further tested and provided close agreement between the observed Cr concentrations in equilibrium with Cr(OH)₃(am) in mixed NaOH–NaNO₃ solutions and with high-level tank sludges leached with and primarily containing NaOH as the major electrolyte.     

Uncompensated magnetization in the layered molecular antiferromagnet {N(n-C5H11)4[MnFe(ox)3]}∞

Studies on the magnetic properties of the molecular antiferromagnetic material {N(n-C₅H₁₁)₄[Mn^IIFe^III(ox)₃]}_∞, carried out by various physical techniques (AC/DC magnetic susceptibility, magnetization, heat capacity measurements and Mössbauer spectroscopy) at low temperatures, have been presented. Different experimental observations complement each other and provide a clue for the observation of an uncompensated magnetization below the Néel temperature and short-range correlations persisting high above T_N. It is understood that the honeycomb layered structure of the compound contains non-equivalent magnetic sub-lattices, (Mn^II–ox–Fe^III_A–...) and (Mn^II–ox–Fe^III_B–...), where different responses of the Fe^III_A and Fe^III_B spin sites towards an external magnetic field might be responsible for the observation of the uncompensated magnetization in this compound at T < T_N. The present magnetic system is an S = 5/2 2-D Heisenberg antiferromagnet system with the intralayer exchange parameter J/k_B = −3.29 K. A very weak interlayer exchange interaction was anticipated from the spin wave modeling of the magnetic heat capacity for T < 0.5T_N. The positive sign of the coupling between the layers has been concluded from the Mössbauer spectrum in the applied magnetic field. Frustration in the magnetic interactions gives rise to the uncompensated magnetic moment in this compound at low temperatures.     

Zinc(II) Hydration in Aqueous Solution: A Raman Spectroscopic Investigation and An ab initio Molecular Orbital Study of Zinc(II) Water Clusters

Raman spectra of aqueous Zn(II)–perchlorate solutions were measured over broad concentration (0.50–3.54 mol-L^–1) and temperature (25–120°C) ranges. The weak polarized band at 390 cm^–1 and two depolarized modes at 270 and 214 cm^–1 have been assigned to ₁(a _1g), ₂(e _g), and ₅(f _2g) of the zinc–hexaaqua ion. The infrared-active mode at 365 cm^–1 has been assigned to ₃(f _1u). The vibrational analysis of the species [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ⁺ ] was done on the basis of O _h symmetry (OH₂ as point mass). The polarized mode ₁(a _1g)-ZnO₆ has been followed over the full temperature range and band parameters (band maximum, full width at half height, and intensity) have been examined. The position of the ₁(a _1g)-ZnO₆ mode shifts only about 4 cm^–1 to lower frequencies and broadens by about 32 cm^–1 for a 95°C temperature increase. The Raman spectroscopic data suggest that the hexaaqua–Zn(II) ion is thermodynamically stable in perchlorate solution over the temperature and concentration range measured. These findings are in contrast to ZnSO₄ solutions, recently measured by one of us, where sulfate replaces a water molecule of the first hydration sphere. Ab initio geometry optimizations and frequency calculations of [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ⁺ ] were carried out at the Hartree–Fock and second-order Møller–Plesset levels of theory, using various basis sets up to 6-31 + G*. The global minimum structure of the hexaaqua–Zn(II) species corresponds with symmetry T _h. The unscaled vibrational frequencies of the [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ⁺ ] are reported. The unscaled vibrational frequencies of the ZnO₆, unit are lower than the experimental frequencies (ca. 15%), but scaling the frequencies reproduces the measured frequencies. The theoretical binding enthalpy for [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ⁺ ] was calculated and accounts for ca. 66% of the experimental single-ion hydration enthalpy for Zn(II).Ab initio geometry optimizations and frequency calculations are also reported for a [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ¹⁸ ] (Zn[6 + 12]) cluster with 6 water molecules in the first sphere and 12 in the second sphere. The global minimum corresponds with T symmetry. Calculated frequencies of the zinc [6 + 12] cluster correspond well with the observed frequencies in solution. The ₁-ZnO₆ (unscaled) mode occurs at 388 cm^–1 almost in perfect correspondence to the experimental value. The theoretical binding enthalpy for [Zn(OH₂) ₂ ¹⁸ ] was calculated and is very close to the experimental single ion-hydration enthalpy for Zn(II). The water molecules of the first sphere form strong hydrogen bonds with water molecules in the second hydration shell because of the strong polarizing effect of the Zn(II) ion. The importance of the second hydration sphere is discussed.     

Subshell-pair interelectronic angles of atoms

For the 102 atoms from He to Lr in their ground states, the average interelectronic angles <₁₂> _{nl, n'l'} between an electron in a subshellnl and another electron in a subshell n'l' are examined, where n and l are the principal and azimuthal quantum numbers, respectively. Theoretical study clarifies that <₁₂> _nl,n'l' are 90° precisely if l–l' are even, while they are larger than 90° if l–l' are odd. Numerical analysis of 3,275 subshell pairs with odd l–l' of the 102 atoms shows that the increases in the total average interelectronic angles <₁₂> from 90° are attributed predominantly to subshell pairs with n=n' and l–l'=1.     

FT/ICR–mass spectrometry in nanotechnology: the investigation of metalloid clusters

The particularity of metalloid clusters as a special kind of metal atom cluster is described. For the first time such metalloid clusters are investigated in the gas phase by means of FT/ICR–mass spectrometry, the results of which show that metalloid clusters represent a bridge between the bulk metal and metal compounds that can be found in solution after oxidation of the bulk metal. The metalloid clusters presented herein are [Ga₁₉R₆]^– (R=C(SiMe₃)₃), and SiAl₁₄Cp*₆ and the precursor Al₄Cp*₄ (Cp*= ⁵-C₅Me₅).     

Estimated ionicB-coefficients from NMR measurements in aqueous electrolyte solutions

¹⁷O-NMR spin-lattice relaxation timesT ₁ of D₂O molecules were measured at 5–85°C in D₂O solutions of alkali metal halides (LiClCsCl, KBr, and KI), DCl, KOD, Ph₄PCl, NaPh₄B, and tetraalkylammonium bromides (Me₄NBrAm₄NBr) in the concentration range 0.1–1.4 mol-kg^–1 TheB-coefficients of the electrolytes obtained from the concentration dependence of relaxation ratesR ₁=1/T₁ were divided into the ionicB-coefficients by three methods: (i) the assumption ofB (K⁺)=B(Cl^–), (ii) the assumption ofB(Ph₄P⁺)=B(Ph₄B^–), and (iii) the use ofB(Br^–) obtained from a series ofB(R₄NBr). It was found that Methods (ii) and (iii) resulted in an abnormal temperature dependence of theB-coefficients of alkali metal ions and a negative values of rotational correlation times _c at lower temperatures for hydroxide and halide ions. These results suggest that the methods based on the van der Waals volume are not adequate for the ionic separation of NMRB-coefficients. From the analysis using the assumption ofB(K⁺)=B(Cl^–), it was found that D₃O⁺, OD^–, and Me₄N⁺ ions are the intermediates between structure makers and breakers, and that the hydrophobicity of phenyl groups is weaker than that of alkyl groups due to the interactions between water molecules and -electrons in phenyl groups.     

Synthesis of Boron–Nitrogen–Phosphorus Compounds from N-Silylphosphoranimines

Two modes of reactivity of N-silylphosphoranimines have been utilized to prepare the title compounds containing either B–N=P or Si–N=P–N–B linkages. First, silicon-nitrogen bond cleavage reactions of the N-silylphosphoranimines, Me₃SiN=PMe(R)OCH₂CF₃ (1: R=Me, 2: R=Ph), with various chloroboranes gave the new N-borylphosphoranimines, Ph(Me₂N)B–N=PMe₂OCH₂CF₃ (2) and [(Me₃Si)₂N](Cl)B–N=PMe₂OCH₂CF₃ (10). In other cases, however, the expected B–N=P products were unstable and cyclic phosphazenes [Me(R)P=N]_3,4 were obtained. Second, deprotonation-substitution reactions of the aminophosphoranimines, Me₃SiN=P(R)Me–N(R)H, were used to prepare a series of novel (borylamino)-phosphoranimines, Me₃SiN=P(R)(Me)–N(R)–B(NMe₂)₂ (18: R=Me, R=t-Bu; 19: R=R=Me; 20: R=Ph, R=t-Bu; 21: R=Ph, R=Me) and Me₃SiN=PMe₂–N(t-Bu)–B(Ph)X (22: X=NMe₂, 23: X=OCH₂CF₃). All of the new boron–nitrogen–phosphorus products were fully characterized by multinuclear NMR (¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P) spectroscopy and elemental analysis.     

Bond length alternation in ground and HOMO→LUMO excited states in polyenes. Dynamic Stokes shift?

Complete-active-space self-consistent-field calculation of the reorganisation energy, , corresponding to the strongly allowed HOMOLUMO transition in planar polyenes in the trans form (C _{2 h} symmetry), gives >0.5 eV. This large depends on the fact that the short and long bond lengths of the excited ¹B _u (or ³B _u ) state compared to the ¹A _g ground state are almost cancelled. The emission redshift (Stokes shift) in molecules with the same type of system is quite small, however, which suggests that the Stokes shift may be dynamic, owing to the presence of another excited state at lower or about the same energy. Acknowledgement.We congratulate Björn on his birthday and at the same time thank him for the CASSCF method and for many years of collaboration and help from him and his collaborators to make this wonderful method work in our laboratory.Contribution to the Björn Roos Honorary Issue