Vibrational Spectrum and Gas‐Phase Structure of Disulfur Dinitride (S2N2)

Gas‐phase FTIR spectra of the ν₆ (B‐type) and the ν₄ (C‐type) fundamental bands of S₂N₂ (D_2h) were recorded with a resolution of ≤0.004 cm^?1 and the vibrational spectrum of S₂N₂ (D_2h) in solid Ar has been revisited. All IR‐active fundamentals and four combination bands were assigned in excellent agreement with calculated values from anharmonic VPT2 and VCI theory based on (explicitly correlated) coupled‐cluster surfaces. Accurate experimental vibrational ground‐ and excited‐state rotational constants of ³²S₂¹⁴N₂ are obtained from a rovibrational analysis of the ν₆ and ν₄ fundamental bands, and precise zero‐point average r_z (R_z(SN)=1.647694(95) Å, α_z(NSN)=91.1125(33)°) and semi‐experimental equilibrium structures (R_e(SN)=1.64182(33) Å, α_e(NSN)=91.0716(93)°) of S₂N₂ have been established. These are compared to the solid‐state structure of S₂N₂ and structural properties of related sulfur nitrogen compounds and to results of ab initio structure calculations.     

Thermal and state-selected rate constant calculations for O(3p) + H2 → OH + H and isotopic analogs

We present a new parametrization (based on ab initio calculations) of the bending potentials for the two lowest potential energy surfaces of the reaction O(³P) + H₂, and we use it for rate constant calculations by variational transition-state theory with multidimensional semiclassical tunneling corrections. We present results for the temperature range 250–2400 K for both the rate constants and the intermolecular kinetic isotope effects for the reactions of O(³P) with D₂ and HD. In general, the calculated rate constants for the thermal reactions are in excellent agreement with available experiments. We also calculate the enhancement effect for exciting H₂ to the first excited vibrational state. The calculations also provide information on which aspects of the potential energy surfaces are important for determining the predicted rate constants.     

Vibrational Predissociation Spectra of C2N− and C3N−: Bending and Stretching Vibrations

We present infrared predissociation spectra of C₂N⁻(H₂) and C ₃N⁻(H₂) in the 300–1850 cm⁻¹ range. Measurements were performed using the FELion cryogenic ion trap end user station at the Free Electron Lasers for Infrared eXperiments (FELIX) laboratory. For C₂N⁻(H₂), we detected the CCN bending and CC−N stretching vibrations. For the C₃N⁻(H₂) system, we detected the CCN bending, the CC−CN stretching, and multiple overtones and/or combination bands. The assignment and interpretation of the presented experimental spectra is validated by calculations of anharmonic spectra within the vibrational configuration interaction (VCI) approach, based on potential energy surfaces calculated at explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory (CCSD(T)-F12/cc-pVTZ−F12). The H₂ tag acts as an innocent spectator, not significantly affecting the C_2,3N⁻ bending and stretching mode positions. The recorded infrared predissociation spectra can thus be used as a proxy for the vibrational spectra of the bare anions.     

Variational calculation of vibrational energies of triatomic molecules using SCF optimized modes

A self-consistent field optimization of the vibrational coordinates for nonlinear triatomic molecules is presented. The optimal coordinates are obtained by making a three-dimensional rotational transformation of the normal modes and determining the rotation angles as those for which the SCF energy is stationary. The utility of the optimized coordinates in full variational calculations of vibrational energies is studied for the molecules of H₂O, O₃, H₂D⁺, H₂T⁺, and D₂T⁺. For H₂O and O₃, the optimization procedure leads to the local mode representation. It is shown that the use of the optimal coordinates in variational calculations allows a large reduction of the dimension of the Hamiltonian matrix to be diagonalized in order to reach convergence.     

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations on the associated complexes of lithium cyanide with ammonia

Ab initio molecular orbital (MO ) calculations with the 3-21G and 6-31G basis sets are carried out on a series of complexes of NH₃ with Li⁺, C?N^?, LiCN, and its isomer LiNC. The BSSE -corrected interaction energies, geometrical parameters, internal force constants, and harmonic vibrational frequencies are evaluated for 15 species. Complexes with trifurcated (C_3v) structures are calculated to be saddle points on the potential energy surfaces and have one imaginary frequency each. Calculated energies, geometrical parameters, internal force constants, and harmonic vibrational frequencies of the various species considered are discussed in terms of the nature of association of LiCN with ammonia. The vibrational frequencies of the relevant complexed species are compared with the experimental frequencies reported earlier for solutions of lithium cyanide in liquid ammonia. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polyatomic,anharmonic, vibrational–rotational analysis. Application to accurate ab initio results for formaldehyde

A computer program SURVIB is described for calculating vibrational anharmonicity constants for polyatomic molecules. The program requires as input a grid of calculated energies in the vicinity of a stationary point. This grid is fit, in a least squares sense, to a polynomial function of the internal coordinates. This analytic representation of the energy surface is employed in a normal mode analysis, and the energy is reexpanded as a polynominal function of the normal mode coordinates (expressed as vectors in the mass-weighted atomic Cartesian coordinate space). The resulting coefficients are used in a second-order perturbation theory analysis to obtain the vibrational anharmonicity constants. Also reported is an application of this program to formaldehyde employing ab initio, RHF , MP 2, MP 3, and RHF -CI calculations. The spectroscopic constants obtained for H₂CO are in good agreement with experimentally derived values recently reported by Reisner.     

D+D 2 Quasiclassical rate constant calculations on parallel computers

Summary The calculation of rate constant values of theH+H ₂ reaction for an extended range of excited vibrational states of the diatomic molecule and temperatures is relevant to the modeling ofH ^– sources. To investigate the effect of isotopic substitutions on the efficiency of vibrational deexcitation processes, we extended the calculations to theD+D ₂ system. These calculations were carried out using a program restructured to run on a shared memory vector and parallel computer. The dependence of the efficiency of vibrational deexcitation processes from both the initial vibrational state and temperature of reactants is reported. Restructuring strategies adopted for implementing the program on both shared and distributed memory computers as well as speedups achieved on both types of machines are also discussed.     

Eclipsed and staggered conformations of (SIH3)2F+: An ab initio study

Ab initio calculations at 6–31G**, 6–31++G**, and MP2/6–31G** levels were performed on disilyl–fluoronium, (SiH₃)₂F⁺, with the SiH₃ group eclipsed or staggered. Optimized geometries, total energies, dipole moments, atomic charges, electronic density, and vibrational frequencies were computed. The results were compared with calculated structural parameters and vibrational frequencies of H₃SiF, H₂SiF⁺, H₂SiF^?, and H₄SiF⁺ ions. The basis-set effects were studied. Several thermochemistry parameters—ZPE, thermal energy, rotational constants, and entropies—were also calculated. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Molecular Structure,Thermodynamic and Spectral Characteristics of Metal-Free and Nickel Complex of Tetrakis(1,2,5-thiadiazolo)porphyrazine

The Knudsen effusion method with mass spectrometric control of the vapor composition was used to study the possibility of a congruent transition to the gas phase and to estimate the enthalpy of sublimation of metal-free tetrakis(1,2,5-thiadiazolo)porphyrazine and its nickel complex (H₂TTDPz and NiTTDPz, respectively). The geometrical and electronic structure of H₂TTDPz and NiTTDPz in ground and low-lying excited electronic states were determined by DFT calculations. The electronic structure of NiTTDPz was studied by the complete active space (CASSCF) method, following accounting dynamic correlation by multiconfigurational quasi-degenerate second-order perturbation theory (MCQDPT2). A geometrical structure of D_2h and D_4h symmetry was obtained for H₂TTDPz and NiTTDPz, respectively. According to data obtained by the MCQDPT2 method, the nickel complex possesses the ground state ¹A_1g, and the wave function of the ground state has the form of a single determinant. Electronic absorption and vibrational (IR and resonance Raman) spectra of H₂TTDPz and NiTTDPz were studied experimentally and simulated theoretically.     

Analysis of the molecular bands of D2H and H2D at 5600 Å

Spectral simulation was used to analyze the molecular rovibrational bands of D₂H and H₂D at 5600 Å. These bands were previously measured by the ion beam neutralization method. They were assigned to the electronic 3p²B₁ ? 2s²A₁ and vibrational (ν - ν″) = (0, 0, 0,-0, 0, 0) transitions. Least squares fits to the experimental line-positions were made to determine the asymmetric rotator constants A, B and C for the 2s²A₁ and 3p²B₁ ν = 0 states of D₂H and H₂D, hitherto unknown. Lorentz line-profiles were assumed for the D₂H and H₂D rotational lines, whose widths are mainly governed by the lifetimes of the lower states. The bands at 5600 Å were simulated and the 2s²A₁ state lifetimes were estimated to be σ ≥ 0.5 ± 0.2 ps for D₂H and σ ≥ 0.4 ± 0.2 ps for H₂D. Vibrational constants of D₃ and D₂H in the 2s²A₁ states are determined from the positions of the 0-0 and 0-1 vibrational bands given in respective experimental spectra previously measured. For the first time the vibrational constants ω₁ and ω₂ of the 2s²A₁ state of H₂D were estimated from the positions of the 0-0 and 0-1 band maxima. These vibrational constants are compared with the corresponding vibrational constants of their ions.     

A further study on closo boron hydrides B16H2−16 (D2) and B16H16Td) using ab initio molecular orbital theory

Ab initio molecular orbital calculations of doubly negative charged B₁₆H^2?₁₆(D₂) and neutral B₁₆H₁₆(Td) have been done at the HF/6-31G level. They are predicted to be chemically and kinetically stable by vibrational analyses on their respective energy hypersurface of the HF/6-31G level. The geometrical structure of the species B₁₆H²₁₆ (D₂) was discussed.     

Model calculations of the vibrations of bonded water molecules

Model calculations have been made of the vibrational frequencies and normal modes of a water molecule vibrating in a combined internal and external field. A constant internal force field has been used together with an external central force field from four or three nearest-neighbour atoms to the water molecule. These neighbour atoms have been arranged either tetrahedrally or trigonally around the water molecule. The external force field has been further restricted by the use of five possible site symmetries for the water molecule, C_2v, C₂, C_s(σ_xz, C_s(σ_yz) and C₁. A series of calculations have been made where the external force constants have been varied within the range 1—80 Nm^?1.The nine calculated normal modes can be divided into three groups: intra-molecular, rotational and translational vibrations. Among the rotational vibrations it is found that, in the tetrahedral environment, the rocking mode occurs at lower frequencies than the twisting and wagging modes, whereas the opposite occurs for the trigonal environment. Frequency ratios have been calculated using the isotopic species H₂O, D₂O, HDO and H,¹⁸O. The twisting and wagging modes have the vH₂O/vD₂O ratio in the range 1.35-3-1.41 and the rocking mode in the range 1.26—1.41.     

Variational calculations on the vibrational level structure of S0 HDCO

We perform converged high precision variational calculations to determine the frequencies of the vibrational levels in S₀ HDCO, extending up to 5000 cm^?1 of vibrational excitation energy. For these calculations we use our specific vibrational method (recently employed for studies on H₂CO and D₂CO), consisting of a combination of a search/selection algorithm and a Lanczos iteration procedure and based on the Martin, Lee, Taylor potential energy surface for formaldehyde. The calculated level structure is compared to the recently measured frequencies by Ellsworth et al. in order to improve their assignments and further clarify the vibrational mixing pattern and vibrational resonances in HDCO that are very different from the other more symmetric formaldehyde species H₂CO and D₂CO studied recently.     

Theoretical studies on a possible synthesis reaction pathway on N8 (CS) clusters

The potential energy surfaces of N₈ clusters were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and a possible synthesis reaction pathway for N₈ (C_S) was suggested. The species involved were fully optimized up to the B3LYP/6‐311+G* level of theory. Relative energies were further calculated at the QCISD/6‐311+G*//B3LYP/6‐311+G* level. The reaction rate constants of these steps from the 1 (N₅⁺?N₃^?, complex, C_S) to 2 (N₈, C_S), 2 (N₈, C_S) to 3 (N₈, C_S), 3 (N₈, C_S) to 4 (N₈, D_2d), and 4 (N₈, D_2d) to 5 (N₈, C_S) reactions were predicted by the VTST theory. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 22: 1334–1339, 2001     

Single‐Electron Self‐Exchange between Cage Hydrocarbons and Their Radical Cations in the Gas Phase

We show that the radical cations of adamantane (C₁₀H₁₆^.+, 1 H^.+) and perdeuteroadamantane (C₁₀D₁₆^.+, 1 D^.+) are stable species in the gas phase. The radical cation of adamantylideneadamantane (C₂₀H₂₈^.+, 2 H^.+) is also stable (as in solution). By using the natural ¹³C abundances of the ions, we determine the rate constants for the reversible isergonic single‐electron transfer (SET) processes involving the dyads 1 H^.+/ 1 H, 1 D^.+/ 1 D and 2 H^.+/ 2 H. Rate constants for the reaction 1 H^.++ 1 D? 1 H+ 1 D^.+ are also determined and Marcus’ cross‐term equation is shown to hold in this case. The rate constants for the isergonic processes are extremely high, practically collision‐controlled. Ab initio computations of the electronic coupling (H_DA) and the reorganization energy (λ) allow rationalization of the mechanism of the process and give insights into the possible role of intermediate complexes in the reaction mechanism.     

Spectroscopic Identification of Diphosphene HPPH and Isomeric Diphosphinyldene PPH2

The simplest diphosphene HPPH and isomeric diphosphinyldene PPH₂ features prototype phosphorus-phosphorus multiple bonding properties that have been of long-standing interest in main-group chemistry. Herein, we report the observation of cis-HPPH, trans-HPPH, and PPH₂ among the respective laser photolysis products of phosphine (PH₃) and diphosphine (P₂H₄) in solid N₂- and Ar-matrices at 10 K. The identification of these P₂H₂ isomers with matrix-isolation IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy is supported by D-isotope labeling and the quantum chemical calculations at the CCSD(T)-F12a/cc-pVTZ-F12 level using configuration-selective vibrational configuration interaction theory (VCI). Bonding analyses suggest that the two conformers of HPPH contain standard PP double bonds, whereas, PPH₂ resembles P₂ in having partial PP triple bond due to the H₂P←P π bonding interaction.     

Theoretical study of dynamical properties on reaction path in molecular internal coordinates

The dynamical properties on reaction path (IRC) in internal coordinates have been obtained, which in. clude ω_K (frequencies orthogonal to IRC), L_K (vibrational modes), B_(KF) (coupling constants between the IRC and vibra tions orthogonal to it), B_(KL) (coupling constants between every two vibrations orthogonal to IRC). A set of theory of teac. tion path in molecular internal coordinates has been also constructed. The dynamical properties, including ω_K, B_(KF) B_(KL) of the reaction H~1O~2H~3 H~4→H~1O~2 H~3H~4 have been calculated, which explicitly explain the interaction, chang ing trend and contribution of each chemical bond (including bond angle) in the reaction.     

Non-adiabatic unimolecular dissociation of polyatomic molecules. II. The thermal dissociation of nitrous oxide

The theory presented in part I of this series is applied to the non-adiabatic spin-forbidden thermal dissociation N₂O(¹Σ⁺)→N₂(¹Σ⁺_g)+O(³P) as a test case. The molecular model is multidimensional and includes all vibrational modes of the molecule. Specifically considered is the fact that the initial singlet state of N₂O is linear and the final triplet state is bent. The best available data are used for describing the intersection of singlet and triplet potential energy surfaces. Calculated microcanonical rate constants are averaged over Boltzmann distribution of energies and compared with k_co, the high-pressure rate constant deduced from experiment. The agreement between theory and experiment is satisfactory. Analysis of the calculations shows that the driving force for the N₂O dissociation is the flow of energy into the bending vibrations. This is because the bendings have very different equilibrium angles in the initial and final states.     

Equilibrium Study on Ion-Pair Formation in Water and Distribution Between Water and m-Xylene of Tetraalkylammonium Picrates

The 1:1 ion-pair formation constants (K _IP) of tetraalkylammonium (Me₄N⁺, Et₄N⁺, Pr₄N⁺, Bu₄N⁺, and Bu₃MeN⁺) picrates in water were determined by capillary electrophoresis at 25°C. The ion-pair extraction constants (K _ex,ip) of the picrates from water to m-xylene were determined by a batch-extraction method at 25°C, and the distribution constants (K _D) of the neutral ion-pairs were calculated from the relationship K _D = K_ex,ip/K _IP. The tetraalkylammonium ion having more methylene groups generally forms a slightly more stable ion-pair with the picrate ion in water, which is attributed to the lower hydration of the cation. For Me₄N⁺, Et₄N⁺, Pr₄N⁺, and Bu₄N⁺, the distribution of the ion pair into m-xylene increases in that order, and a linear relationship was found between log K _D and the number of methylene groups in the cation. This is consistently explained by the regular solution theory. It was also revealed that the ion pairs have a strong specific interaction with water. The ion pair of Bu₃MeN⁺ has a higher distribution constant than that expected from the relationship between log K _D and the number of methylene groups for the symmetrical tetraalkylammonium ions. The cation dependence of the ion pair extractability is mostly governed by that of the distribution of the ion pair.     

The thermal decomposition of diimide in the gas phase: Kinetics and stoichiometry

The kinetics and stoiehiometry of the decomposition of N₂H₂ and N₂D₂ have been studied as a function of sample size, pressure, and temperature. The reaction follows a single first order kinetic expression over most of its time course. It is suggested that the rate-determining step in the mechanism is a first-order homogeneous gas-phase isomerization of trans-diimide with rate constants:k = 1.8 exp (-4.2 kcal/mol/RT) sec^?1 and k = 1 exp (-4.4 kcal/mol/RT) sec^?1. The detailed mechanism of this isomerization, however, is not evident. At temperatures above room temperature, self-heating has been observed which leads to an initial fast decay. At room temperature the reaction exhibits autocatalysis with the rate increasing as the reaction proceeds. This has been attributed to enhancement by a surface decay process involving adsorbed hydrazine. The only significant products from the decomposition of N₂H₂ are N₂, H₂, and N₂H₄, and the results are interpreted in terms of two parallel reactions: The decomposition of N₂D₂ occurs almost completely by the single reaction giving N₂ + N₂D₄. No azide formation has been detected from either N₂D₂, or N₂D₂, and limits have been put on the yield of ammonia. Extinction coefficients at 365 nm of 3.9 ± 0.2 for N₂H₂ and 3.3 ± 0.1 for N₂D₂ have been measured. Both the rate of decay and the stoichiometry of products show pressure dependence below 150 torr, and this is suggested to be due to direct decomposition of cis-N₂H₂ on the surface.