The electronic structure and the He (I) photoelectron spectrum of bis(π-pentadienyl)dinickel

The electronic structure of bis(π-pentadienyl)dinickel (1) has been investigated by means of semi-empirical MO calculations of the INDO type and by means of He(I) photoelectron (PE) spectroscopy. The vertical ionization potentials obtained by a Green's function approach are in good agreement with the measured ionization energies. It is demonstrated that the Ni 3d ionization events occur at lower energies than the lowest ligand band, a sequence that differs from the case of bis(π-allyl)nickel (2) where ligand π orbitals are ionized at lower energies than Ni 3d orbitals. This difference between the two π complexes can be traced back to a less efficient metal to ligand charge transfer in the binuclear complex 1 leading to a destabilization of the MOs with large Ni 3d amplitudes. According to the semi-empirical INDO-hamiltonian the direct interaction between the two 3d manifolds in the closed shell ground state of 1 is small.     

Probing the electronic structure of [MoOS(4)](-) centers using anionic photoelectron spectroscopy

Using photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) in the gas phase, we investigated the electronic structure and chemical bonding of six anionic [Mo(V)O](3+) complexes, [MoOX(4)](-) (where X = Cl (1), SPh (2), and SPh-p-Cl (3)), [MoO(edt)(2)](-) (4), [MoO(bdt)(2)](-) (5), and [MoO(bdtCl(2))(2)](-) (6) (where edt = ethane-1,2-dithiolate, bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate, and bdtCl(2) = 3,6-dichlorobenzene-1,2-dithiolate). The gas-phase PES data revealed a wealth of new electronic structure information about the [Mo(V)O](3+) complexes. The energy separations between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and HOMO-1 were observed to be dependent on the O-Mo-S-C(alpha) dihedral angles and ligand types, being relatively large for the monodentate ligands, 1.32 eV for Cl and 0.78 eV for SPh and SPhCl, compared to those of the bidentate dithiolate complexes, 0.47 eV for edt and 0.44 eV for bdt and bdtCl(2). The threshold PES feature in all six species is shown to have the same origin and is due to detaching the single unpaired electron in the HOMO, mainly of Mo 4d character. This result is consistent with previous theoretical calculations and is verified by comparison with the PES spectra of two d(0) complexes, [VO(bdt)(2)](-) and [VO(bdtCl(2))(2)](-). The observed PES features are interpreted on the basis of theoretical calculations and previous spectroscopic studies in the condensed phase.     

Size- and charge-dependent geometric and electronic structures of Bi n (Bi(-)n) clusters (n=2-13) by first-principles simulations

Neutral and negatively charged bismuth clusters, Bi n and Bi(-)n (n=2-13), are investigated by first-principles simulations with the scalar-relativistic projector-augmented wave potential and the spin-polarized generalized gradient approximation. Both types of clusters show size-dependent odd-even oscillations in stability, density of states, and vertical and adiabatic electron affinities, in close agreement with experiment. The negative charge thoroughly reverses the oscillations and considerably influences the geometric structures, particularly of the odd-sized clusters. We note that most atoms in the ground states and the low-lying isomers are three coordinated with a quasilayerlike growth mode based on pentagon units, due to a weak s-p hybridization. The Bi12 cluster is found to prefer a small elongated tubelike structure with the surface consists of six curved-pentagon rings and two triangular facets, which may be the basis for the formation of bismuth nanotubes experimentally reported.     

Vibrational structures in the photoelectron spectrum of formic acid

He I photoelectron spectra of formic acid and its deuterium substituted derivatives have been measured. The first, second and fifth bands of each molecule exhibit very fine vibrational structures. The characters of molecular orbitals from which the photoelectron bands originate are discussed by the use of results of vibrational analyses and molecular orbital calculations.     

Study of the structural,electronic, and magnetic properties of the barium-rich iron(IV) oxides,Ba(2)FeO(4) and Ba(3)FeO(5)

Crystals of Ba(2)FeO(4) and Ba(3)FeO(5), grown from a "self-sealing" KOH-Ba(OH)(2) flux, have been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, M?ssbauer spectroscopy, and magnetic measurements. Ba(2)FeO(4) forms nonmerohedral twinned crystals with the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, a = 6.034(2) A, b = 7.647(2) A, c = 10.162(3) A, beta = 92.931(6) degrees, and Z = 4. Ba(3)FeO(5) crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma, with a = 10.301(1) A, b = 8.151(1) A, c = 7.611(1) A, and Z = 4. While both compounds feature discrete FeO(4)(4-) tetrahedra, the anion found in Ba(2)FeO(4) has shorter Fe-O bonds and is significantly distorted relative to the Ba(3)FeO(5) anion. An iron valence of 4+ was confirmed by magnet susceptibility measurements and by the low-temperature isomer shifts of -0.152 and -0.142 mm/s relative to alpha-iron for Ba(2)FeO(4) and Ba(3)FeO(5), respectively.     

The photoelectron spectrum of diazene (diimine)

The HeI photoelectron spectra of the transient species diazene (diimine) N₂H₂ and its deutero analogue have been measured.     

First principles study of the ground and excited states of FeO, FeO+, and FeO(-)

Through a variety of highly correlated methods combined with large basis sets we have studied the electronic structure of FeO, FeO(+), and FeO(-). In particular, we have constructed complete potential energy curves for 48, 24, and 4 states for the FeO, FeO(+), and FeO(-) species, respectively, at the multireference level of theory. For all states examined we report energetics, common spectroscopic parameters, and dipole moments. Overall our results are in good agreement with experiment, but we have encountered as well interesting differences between experiment and theory deserving further investigation.     

Electronic structures of AlMoO(y)(-) (y = 1-4) determined by photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

Vibrationally-resolved photoelectron spectra of AlMoO(y)(-) (y = 1-4) are presented and analyzed in conjunction with density functional theory computational results. The structures determined for the AlMoO(y) anion and neutral clusters suggest ionic bonding between Al(+) and a MoO(y)(-) or MoO(y)(-2) moiety, and point to the relative stability of Mo=O versus Al=O bonds. The highest occupied and partially occupied orbitals in the anions and neutrals can be described as Mo atomic-like orbitals, so while the Mo is in a higher oxidation state than Al, the most energetically accessible electrons are localized on the molybdenum center.     

The electronic and geometric structures of some xenon oxyfluorides

The modified Wolfsberg-Helmholz approximation has been applied to calculate the MO eigenvectors and eigenvalues for several xenon oxyfluorides. Structural properties for XeOF₂, XeO₂F₂ and XeOF₄ have been rationalized and predicted based on the nodal characters of the highest filled MO('s). Results show that XeOF₂ should have C_2vsymmetry with angle OXeF less than 90°. For XeO₂F₂, the OXeO angle is predicted to be less than 120° while the FXeF angle on the side of the oxygens is less than 180°. According to this model, XeOF₄ has C_4vsymmetry with angle OXeF greater than 90°. In addition, the relative bond lengths in these systems have been commented upon. Except for XeOF₄, the exact structures of the other two remain unknown. These results seem to imply that double bond and lone pair are of similar bulkiness in the coordination sphere and that the Pauli force in the valence-shell-electron-pair-repulsion model and nodal repulsion are intimately related.     

The electronic structure and spectrum of Mo(CN)8(3-)

State of the art CASSCF and CASPT2 calculations have been performed to elucidate the nature of the electronic transitions observed in the experimental spectrum of the octacyanomolybdate(V) cation. Assuming a triangular dodecahedral structure for this complex gives a convincing agreement between theory and experiment. All absorption bands are assigned to low-lying charge-transfer transitions involving excitations from ligand orbitals to 4dx2-y2. The calculated molecular orbitals reveal weak pi interactions between the metal and ligand orbitals, compared to much stronger sigma interactions. This calculated electronic structure substantiates the previous hypothesis concerning the giant spin ground states of magnetic clusters and networks containing Mo(CN)8(3-) as a constituent part.     

Electronic structures of WAlO(y) and WAlO(y) (-) (y = 2-4) determined by anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

The anion photoelectron spectra of WAlO(y) (-) (y = 2-4) are presented and assigned based on results of density functional theory calculations. The WAlO(2) (-) and WAlO(3) (-) spectra are both broad, with partially resolved vibrational structure. In contrast, the WAlO(4) (-) spectrum features well-resolved vibrational structure with contributions from three modes. There is reasonable agreement between experiment and theory for all oxides, and calculations are in particular validated by the near perfect agreement between the WAlO(4) (-) photoelectron spectrum and a Franck-Condon simulation based on computationally determined spectroscopic parameters. The structures determined from this study suggest strong preferential W-O bond formation, and ionic bonding between Al(+) and WO(y) (-2) for all anions. Neutral species are similarly ionic, with WAlO(2) and WAlO(3) having electronic structure that suggests Al(+) ionically bound to WO(y) (-) and WAlO(4) being described as Al(+2) ionically bound to WO(4) (-2). The doubly-occupied 3sp hybrid orbital localized on the Al center is energetically situated between the bonding O-local molecular orbitals and the anti- or non-bonding W-local molecular orbitals. The structures determined in this study are very similar to structures recently determined for the analogous MoAlO(y) (-)∕MoAlO(y) cluster series, with subtle differences found in the electronic structures [S. E. Waller, J. E. Mann, E. Hossain, M. Troyer, and C. C. Jarrold, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 024302 (2012)].     

The photoelectron spectrum of thiazyl fluoride (NSF)

The photoelectron spectrum of thiazyl fluoride has been recorded. An assignment of the first five bands has been attempted, using semi-empirical calculations.     

Probing the structural and electronic properties of Ag(n)H(-) (n = 1-3) using photoelectron imaging and theoretical calculations

Structural and electronic properties of silver hydride cluster anions (Ag(n)H(-); n = 1-3) have been explored by combining the negative ion photoelectron imaging spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The photoelectron spectrum of AgH(-) exhibits transitions from AgH(- 2)Σ(+) to AgH (1)Σ(+) and AgH (3)Σ(+), with the electron affinity (EA) 0.57(3) eV. For Ag(2)H(-), the only observed transition is from Ag(2)H(-) (C(∞v)) (1)Σ(+) to Ag(2)H (C(2v)) (2)A(') and the electron affinity is 2.56(5) eV. Two obvious electron bands are observed in photoelectron imaging of Ag(3)H(-), which are assigned to the transitions from Ag(3)H(-) (C(2v)-T, which means C(2v) geometry with top site hydrogen) (2)B(2) to Ag(3)H (C(2v)-T) (1)A(1) and Ag(3)H (C(2v)-T) (3)B(2). The electron affinity is determined to be 1.61(9) eV. The Ag-H stretching modes in the ground states of AgH and Ag(2)H are experimentally resolved and their frequencies are measured to be 1710(80) and 1650(100) cm(-1), respectively. Aside from the above EAs and the vibrational frequencies, the vertical detachment energies to all ground states and some excited states of Ag(n)H (n = 1-3) are also obtained. Theoretical calculations reproduce the experimental energies quite well, and the results are used to assign the geometries and electronic states for all related species.     

Probing the structures and chemical bonding of boron-boronyl clusters using photoelectron spectroscopy and computational chemistry: B(4)(BO)(n) (-) (n = 1-3)

The electronic and structural properties of a series of boron oxide clusters, B(5)O(-), B(6)O(2) (-), and B(7)O(3) (-), are studied using photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations. Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained, yielding electron affinities of 3.45, 3.54, and 4.94 eV for the corresponding neutrals, B(5)O, B(6)O(2), and B(7)O(3), respectively. Structural optimizations show that these oxide clusters can be formulated as B(4)(BO)(n) (-) (n = 1-3), which involve boronyls coordinated to a planar rhombic B(4) cluster. Chemical bonding analyses indicate that the B(4)(BO)(n) (-) clusters are all aromatic species with two π electrons.     

Theoretical investigations on the geometric and electronic structures of phenylene-acetylene macrocycles.

The geometric and electronic structures of a series of conjugated macrocycles (phenylene-acetylene macrocycles, PAMs) have been studied theoretically with ab initio and semiempirical molecular orbital methods. The ab initio calculations at the HF/6-31G* level demonstrate that the model molecules may have a planar conformation. Bigger macrocycles, for example, 7PAM, 8PAM, and 9PAM, result in several energy minima. The boatlike conformation is the most energetically favored form. Based on the conformational analysis, a novel method for analyzing the ring-strain energy was proposed and used. In view of their potential applications as electronic materials, the electronic structures of a series of PAMs are also investigated. The LUMO-HOMO gaps of the planar PAMs show an odd-even difference behavior. In addition, the HOMOs of the planar species 3PAM, 5PAM, 7PAM, and 9PAM are doubly degenerated.     

Comparison between the geometric and electronic structures and reactivities of [FeNO]7 and [FeO2]8 complexes: a density functional theory study

In a previous study, we analyzed the electronic structure of S = 3/2 [FeNO](7) model complexes [Brown et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 715-732]. The combined spectroscopic data and SCF-X alpha-SW electronic structure calculations are best described in terms of Fe(III) (S = 5/2) antiferromagnetically coupled to NO(-) (S = 1). Many nitrosyl derivatives of non-heme iron enzymes have spectroscopic properties similar to those of these model complexes. These NO derivatives can serve as stable analogues of highly labile oxygen intermediates. It is thus essential to establish a reliable density functional theory (DFT) methodology for the geometry and energetics of [FeNO](7) complexes, based on detailed experimental data. This methodology can then be extended to the study of [FeO(2)](8) complexes, followed by investigations into the reaction mechanisms of non-heme iron enzymes. Here, we have used the model complex Fe(Me(3)TACN)(NO)(N(3))(2) as an experimental marker and determined that a pure density functional BP86 with 10% hybrid character and a mixed triple-zeta/double-zeta basis set lead to agreement between experimental and computational data. This methodology is then applied to optimize the hypothetical Fe(Me(3)TACN)(O(2))(N(3))(2) complex, where the NO moiety is replaced by O(2). The main geometric differences are an elongated Fe[bond]O(2) and a steeper Fe[bond]O[bond]O angle in the [FeO(2)](8) complex. The electronic structure of [FeO(2)](8) corresponds to Fe(III) (S = 5/2) antiferromagnetically coupled to O(2)(-) (S = 1/2), and, consistent with the extended bond length, the [FeO(2)](8) unit has only one Fe(III)-O(2)(-) bonding interaction, while the [FeNO](7) unit has both sigma and pi type Fe(III)-NO(-) bonds. This is in agreement with experiment as NO forms a more stable Fe(III)-NO(-) adduct relative to O(2)(-). Although NO is, in fact, harder to reduce, the resultant NO(-) species forms a more stable bond to Fe(III) relative to O(2)(-) due to the different bonding interactions.     

On the simulation of photoelectron spectra complicated by conical intersections: higher-order effects and hot bands in the photoelectron spectrum of triazolide (CH)2N3(-)

We report simulated photoelectron spectra for 1,2,3-triazolide (CH)(2)N(3)(-), which reveal the vibronic energy levels of the neutral radical 1,2,3-triazolyl, (CH)(2)N(3). The spectral simulation using a quasidiabatic Hamiltonian H(d) comprised of polynomials through 4th order (thereby extending conventional quadratic expansions), is compared to both the experimental spectrum and a standard Franck-Condon (adiabatic) simulation. The quartic H(d) is far superior to the quadratic H(d), reproducing the main features of the experimental spectrum and allowing for their subsequent assignment. The contributions from excited anion states successfully reproduce the observed vibronic transitions to the red of the assigned band origin of the neutral species. The algorithmic extensions required for the determination of these hot band contributions to the total spectrum are discussed. Convergence of the spectral envelope with respect to the vibronic basis, including both the principal and hot bands, required more than 10(9) terms.     

meso Substituent effects on the geometric and electronic structures of high-spin and low-spin iron(III) complexes of mono-meso-substituted octaethylporphyrins

Introduction of a single meso substituent into ClFe(III)(OEP) or K[(NC)(2)Fe(OEP)] results in significant changes in the geometric and/or spectroscopic properties of these complexes. The mono-meso-substituted iron(III) complexes ClFe(III)(meso-Ph-OEP), ClFe(III)(meso-n-Bu-OEP), ClFe(III)(meso-MeO-OEP), ClFe(III)(meso-Cl-OEP), ClFe(III)(meso-NC-OEP), ClFe(III)(meso-HC(O)-OEP), and ClFe(III)(meso-O(2)N-OEP) have been isolated and characterized by their UV/vis and paramagnetically shifted (1)H NMR spectra. The structures of both ClFe(III)(meso-Ph-OEP) and ClFe(III)(meso-NC-OEP) have been determined by X-ray crystallography. Both molecules have five-coordinate structures typical for high-spin (S = 5/2) iron(III) complexes. However, the porphyrins themselves no longer have the domed shape seen in ClFe(III)(OEP), and the N(4) coordination environment possesses a slight rectangular distortion. These high-spin, mono-meso-substituted iron(III) complexes display (1)H NMR spectra in chloroform-d solution which indicate that the conformational changes seen in the solid-state structures are altered by normal molecular motion to produce spectra consistent with C(s) molecular symmetry. In pyridine solution the high-spin six-coordinate complexes [(py)ClFe(III)(meso-R-OEP)] form. In methanol solution in the presence of excess potassium cyanide, the low-spin six-coordinate complexes K[(NC)(2)Fe(III)(meso-R-OEP)] form. The (1)H NMR spectra of these show that electron-donating substituents produce an upfield relocation of the meso-proton chemical shifts. This relocation is interpreted in terms of increased contribution from the less common (d(xz),d(yz))(4)(d(xy))(1) ground electronic state as the meso substituent becomes more electron donating.     

Frontier electronic structures of Ru(tcterpy)(NCS)3 and Ru(dcbpy)2(NCS)2: a photoelectron spectroscopy study

The frontier electronic structures of Ru(tcterpy)(NCS)3 [black dye (BD)] and Ru(dcbpy)2(NCS)(2) (N719) have been investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and resonant photoelectron spectroscopy (RPES). N1s XAS has been used to probe the nitrogen contribution in the unoccupied density of states, and PES, together with RPES over the N1s edge, has been used to delineate the character of the occupied density of states. The experimental findings of the frontier electron structure are compared to calculations of the partial density of states for the nitrogens in the different ligands (NCS and terpyridine/bipyridine) and for Ru4d. The result indicates large similarities between the two complexes. Specifically, the valence level spectra show two well separated structures at low binding energy. The experimental results indicate that the outermost structure in the valence region largely has a Ru4d character but with a substantial character also from the NCS ligand. Interestingly, the second lowest structure also has a significant Ru4d character mixed into the structure otherwise dominated by NCS. Comparing the two complexes the BD valence structures lowest in binding energy contains a large contribution from the NCS ligands but almost no contribution from the terpyridine ligands, while for N719 also some contribution from the bipyridine ligands is mixed into the energy levels.