The production and spectroscopy of molecular ions isolated in solid neon

Studies of the molecular spectra of small polyatomic molecular ions are stlll in therr infancy. The availability of survey spectra would facilitate the search for individual vibrational and vibronic bands of gas-phase ion species using sophisticated, highly sensitive laser techniques. Deeectable concentrations not only of simpee ions such as CO⁺ ₂ and H⁺ ₂ but also of dimer cations and anions such as O⁺ ₄ and O^- ₄ have been stabilized in solid neon when the parett molecule is codeposited with a beam of excited neon atoms. The vibrational fundamentals heretofore observed for the simpee ions isolated in solid neon lie very close to the positions of the corresponding gas-phase band centers. Molecular spectroscopic data are not yet available for the gas-phase dimer ions. Therefore, it is difficutt to estimate how closely the neon-matrix vibrational frequencies here reported for a numbrr of dimer ions correspond to the gas-phase band centers. Some guidance is available from comparison of the argon-matrix spectra of small molecules hydrogen-bonded to HF with the gasphaee spectra of theee hydrogen-bonded species [55]. In theee studies, the effect of the argon matrix is to enhance the apparent hydrogen-bond strength; the HF stretching frequency is lowered by 1 to 5% from the gas-phase value, and the absorptions contributed by the flexing of the HF with respect to the other molecule are raised by 5% or more. Since neon matrices are generally less perturbing than argon matrices, the deviation from the gas-phase frequencies shoudd be somewhat less in neon-matrix studies. In the present experiments, only the high frequency stretching fundamentals have been observed, suggesting that matrix shifss shoudd amoutt to less than 3 or 4%. Therefore, matrix isolation studies such as theee promise to provide a valuable new tool for the detection and spectroscopic characterization of small molecular ions and cluster ions.     

The infrared matrix isolation spectra and normal coordinate analysis of LiBeF3 and the related species Li2BeF4 and (LiBeF3)2

Beryllium fluoride vapor was reacted with ⁶Lif: and ⁷LiF at 900–1000 °C in an effusion tube. The infrared spectrum of the effusate was obtained in a neon matrix, in the range 4000-190 cm^?1. One mixed halide, LiBeF₃ was identified and the existence of (LiBeF₃)₂ or Li₂BeF₄ inferred. For LiBeF₃ seven of the possible nine infrared frequencies were observed. A normal coordinate analysis for LiBeF₃ is presented and used to assign the experimental frequencies. Calculated mean amplitudes of vibration and calculated frequencies from normal coordinate analyses of Li₂BeF₄ and (LiBeF₃)₂ are reported.     

The structure of C2H4 clusters from theoretical interaction potentials and vibrational predissociation data

Optimized geometries and binding energies are calculated for ethene (ethylene) dimers, trimers, and tetramers based on a pairwise additive dimer potential. From these results intermolecular frequencies and relative abundancies (catchment areas) of the different isomers are obtained and compared with the results of accurate measurements of the photodissociation upon absorption of one photon of a CO₂ laser in the region of thev ₇ monomer absorption band at 949 cm^?1. The clusters are size selected in a scattering experiment and show for a cluster size fromn=2 ton=6 a frequency maximum shifted by 3 cm^?1 to the blue compared with the monomer. The result is explained by the predominance of chains and chain-like structures of the clusters in the photodissociation process. The chains consist of cross-like dimer sub-units.     

Modeling 21Ne NMR parameters for carbon nanosystems

The potential of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) technique in probing the structure of porous systems including carbon nanostructures filled with inert gases is analysed theoretically using accurate calculations of neon (²¹Ne) nuclear magnetic shieldings. The CBS estimates of ²¹Ne NMR parameters were performed for single atom, its dimer and neon interacting with acetylene, ethylene and 1,3‐cyclopentadiene. Several levels of theory including restricted Hartree‐Fock (RHF), Møller‐Plesset perturbation theory to the second order (MP2), density functional theory (DFT) with van Voorhis and Scuseria's t‐dependent gradient‐corrected correlation functional (VSXC), coupled cluster with single and doubles excitations (CCSD), with single, doubles and triples included in a perturbative way (CCSD(T)) and single, doubles and tripes excitations (CCSDT) combined with polarization‐consistent aug‐pcS‐n series of basis sets were employed. The impact of neon confinement inside selected fullerene cages used as an NMR probe was studied at the RHF/pcS‐2 level of theory. A sensitivity of neon probe to the proximity of multiple CC bonds in C₂H₂, C₂H₄, C₅H₆ and inside C₂₈, C₃₀, C₃₂, C₃₄ and C₆₀ fullerenes was predicted from ²¹Ne NMR parameters' changes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Some observations on molecular complexes of carbon monoxide in argon and oxygen nutrices

Aggregates of CO were generated in Ar and O₂ matrices by several methods, including deposition of concentrated samples, warming experiments, and photolysis of H₂CO and H₂C₂O₂. The IR absorption frequencies of the CO species were measured by an FTIR spectrometer. In solid Ar, the CO monomer was seen to absorb at 2138.5 cm^?1 and (CO)₂ at 2136.6 cm^t-1. In systems containing only CO and Ar, no distinct peak was observed at 2140 cm^?1 in contrast to previously reported results. The difference may be due to effects of H₂O on CO frequencies and intensities. In solid O₂, the CO monomer absorbed at 2136.6 cm^?1, but it was not possible to assign a structure to (CO)₂ because of a more complicated absorption spectrum than in solid Ar. The spectral data suggest that the CO dimer absorbing at 2136.6 cm^?1 in solid Ar may have a side-by-side antiparallel geometric structure.     

Calculations on the vertical and adiabatic ionization energies of (H2S)2

After determining reliable procedures for calculating the ionization energy of H₂S using many-body perturbation theory and electron propagator theory, the same procedures are used to calculate the vertical ionization energy of the van der Waals molecule (H₂S)₂. The adiabatic ionization energy calculated for a dimer cation with a H₃S⁺...SH structure is in satisfactory agreement with photoionization threshold experiments. An alternative dimer cation structure with a three-electron S-S bond is also discussed.     

Multistep π Dimerization of Tetrakis(n‐decyl)heptathienoacene Radical Cations: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study

Radical cations of a heptathienoacene α,β‐substituted with four n‐decyl side groups (D4T7 ^{. +}) form exceptionally stable π‐dimer dications already at ambient temperature (Chem. Comm. 2011 , 47, 12622). This extraordinary π‐dimerization process is investigated here with a focus on the ultimate [D4T7 ^{. +}]₂ π‐dimer dication and yet‐unreported transitory species formed during and after the oxidation. To this end, we use a joint experimental and theoretical approach that combines cyclic voltammetry, in situ spectrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. The impact of temperature, thienoacene concentration, and the nature and concentration of counteranions on the π‐dimerization process is also investigated in detail. Two different transitory species were detected in the course of the one‐electron oxidation: 1) a different transient conformation of the ultimate [D4T7 ^{. +}]₂ π‐dimer dications, the stability of which is strongly affected by the applied experimental conditions, and 2) intermediate [D4T7]₂ ^{. +} π‐dimer radical cations formed prior to the fully oxidized [D4T7]₂ ^{. +} π‐dimer dications. Thus, this comprehensive work demonstrates the formation of peculiar supramolecular species of heptathienoacene radical cations, the stability, nature, and structure of which have been successfully analyzed. We therefore believe that this study leads to a deeper fundamental understanding of the mechanism of dimer formation between conjugated aromatic systems.     

IR dissociation of ammonia clusters

Dissociation spectra of NH₃ clusters have been recorded using a cw CO₂ laser. For the dimer two absorption bands have been found at 979 and 1004 cm⁻¹, which originate from the excitation of two non-equivalent NH₃ molecules. A tunneling motion is held responsible for the observed structure on one of these bands. The symmetry group of the NH₃ dimer is presented considering the tunneling motion solely. Heavier NH₃ clusters dissociate at frequencies between 1020 and 1100 cm⁻¹. The dissociation spectrum of the SiH₄-NH₃ complex shows one peak centered at 972.3 cm⁻¹.     

Fluorine‐Rich Fluorides: New Insights into the Chemistry of Polyfluoride Anions

Polyfluoride anions have been investigated by matrix‐isolation spectroscopy and quantum‐chemical methods. For the first time the higher polyfluoride anion [F₅]^? has been observed under cryogenic conditions in neon matrices at 850 cm^?1. In addition, a new band for the Cs⁺[F₃]^? complex in neon is reported.     

Nanodimer cyclodextrin ligands with high affinity to steroids

Molecular-imprinting by cross-linking of ligands of ??-cyclodextrin (CD) complex with steroids has been developed for the synthesis of tailor-made CD dimer. Steroids of androstane (9??-hydroxy-androst-4-en-3,17-dione, androst-4-en-3,17-dione, androsta-1,4-dien-3,17-dione (ADD)) and pregnane (hydrocortisone, 6-methyl-hydrocortisone, 20-hydroxymethylpregna-1,4-diene-3-one (HMPD)) series were used as template molecules. For imprinting procedure, crystalline ??-CD complexes of exact stoichiometry (??-CD:steroid template = 2:1) were synthesized following by toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) cross-linking. The attempts to produce CD dimer for steroid without hydrophobic side chain failed, while tailor-made CD dimer has been obtained using HMPD as a template. The dimer was characterized by ¹H NMR and mass-spectrometry. The complex stability constant (K_S) towards HMPD template exceeded 10⁷ M^?1. The K_S of CD dimer with ADD exceeded the corresponded value of TDI-modified CD monomer by more than an order of magnitude. The dimer was applied for quantitative extraction of ADD from aqueous solution using dialysis membranes impermeable for CD. The value of K_S for ADD estimated from balanced concentrations of dialysis data corresponded to that calculated by nonlinear spectrometric method.     

Gas-phase 21Ne NMR studies and the nuclear magnetic dipole moment of neon-21

Gas-phase ²¹Ne nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were measured at the natural abundance of ²¹Ne isotope for samples consisting of pressurized neon up to 60 bar at room temperature and applying the magnetic field of the strength B₀ = 11.7574 T. It showed that the nuclear magnetic resonance frequency is linearly dependent on the density of gaseous neon. The resonance frequency was extrapolated to the zero-density point, and it permitted the determination of the ²¹Ne nuclear magnetic moment, μ(²¹Ne) = 0.6617774(10) μ_N. The present value of μ(²¹Ne) is not influenced by the bulk magnetic susceptibility of neon and interactions between neon atoms; therefore, it is more precise and reliable than the previous result obtained for μ(²¹Ne).     

On the Cu2 bands in the cold cathode discharge in inert gas

The Cu₂ AX and BX bands were obtained in a cylindrical copper cold cathode neon and argon discharges (ref.I) at gas pressure I0–I5 torr and current densities 200 – 300 mA.cm^?2. torr^?2. The result may be of importance for the cathode sputter laser developments and the spectral analysis.     

Equilibrium structure and vibrational frequencies of the O4 molecule

SCF closed shell calculations were performed to determine the equilibrium structure and vibrational frequencies of the O₄ molecule by means of Payne's method and with the help of the molecule's symmetry coordinates. The equilibrium geometry corresponds to symmetry group D_2d with R = 1.505 Å and h = 0.094 Å. The vibrational frequencies are: ν₅(E) = 885.5 cm^?1, ν₃(B₁) = 1051.9 cm^?1, ν₁(A₁) = 1018.3 cm^?1, ν₄(B₂) = 880.3 cm^?1. The second vibrational coordinate (A₁) corresponds to a double-well potential. The first vibrational levels were calculated by a variational method.     

Analyse en coordonnees normales des vibrations de la 4-nitropyridine N-oxyde

A 51-parameter force field is established for the vibrations of the 4-nitropyridine N-oxide (NPO) and the 4-nitropyridine-d₄ N-oxide (NPO-d₄) molecules. The mean error between the 72 observed and calculated frequencies is 4.8 cm⁻¹ for the in-plane vibrations and 2.1 cm⁻¹ for the out-of-plane vibrations. The NCA calculations confirm our previous assignments for the NPO spectra, but four frequencies were permuted for NPO-d₄. The force field calculations were extended to fit the vibrational frequencies of NPO in solution in CCl₄, MeOH and H₂O. The fact that a donor solvent favours one resonant form of NPO is clearly demonstrated by the variations of five force constants.     

Investigation of Molecular Alkali Tetrafluorido Aurates by Matrix-Isolation Spectroscopy

Molecular alkali tetrafluorido aurate ion pairs M[AuF₄] (M=K, Rb, Cs) are produced by co-deposition of IR laser-ablated AuF₃ and MF in solid neon under cryogenic conditions. This method also yields molecular AuF₃ and its dimer Au₂F₆. The products are characterized by their Au–F stretching bands and high-level quantum-chemical calculations at the CCSD(T)/triple-ζ level of theory. Structural changes in AuF₄⁻ associated with the coordination of the anion to different alkali cations are proven spectroscopically and discussed.     

Examination of the structures,energetics, and vibrational frequencies of small sulfur-containing prototypical dimers, (H2S)2 and H2O/H2S

The optimized geometries, vibrational frequencies, and dissociation energies from MP2 and CCSD(T) computations with large correlation consistent basis sets are reported for (H₂S)₂ and H₂O/H₂S. Anharmonic vibrational frequencies have also been computed with second-order vibrational perturbation theory (VPT2). As such, the fundamental frequencies, overtones, and combination bands reported in this study should also provide a useful road map for future spectroscopic studies of the simple but important heterogeneous H₂O/H₂S dimer in which the hydrogen bond donor and acceptor can interchange, leading to two unique minima with very similar energies. Near the CCSD(T) complete basis set limit, the HOH⋯SH₂ configuration (H₂O donor) lies only 0.2 kcal mol⁻¹ below the HSH⋯OH₂ structure (H₂S donor). When the zero-point vibrational energy is included, however, the latter configuration becomes slightly lower in energy than the former by <0.1 kcal mol⁻¹. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Formation of Long,Multicenter π‐[TCNE]22− Dimers in Solution: Solvation and Stability Assessed through Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Purely organic radical ions dimerize in solution at low temperature, forming long, multicenter bonds, despite the metastability of the isolated dimers. Here, we present the first computational study of these π‐dimers in solution, with explicit consideration of solvent molecules and finite temperature effects. By means of force‐field and ab initio molecular dynamics and free energy simulations, the structure and stability of π‐[TCNE]₂^2? (TCNE=tetracyanoethylene) dimers in dichloromethane have been evaluated. Although the dimers dissociate at room temperature, they are stable at 175 K and their structure is similar to the one in the solid state, with a cofacial arrangement of the radicals at an interplanar separation of approximately 3.0 Å. The π‐[TCNE]₂^2? dimers form dissociated ion pairs with the NBu₄⁺ counterions, and their first solvation shell comprises approximately 20 CH₂Cl₂ molecules. Among them, the eight molecules distributed along the equatorial plane of the dimer play a key role in stabilizing the dimer through bridging C?H???N contacts. The calculated free energy of dimerization of TCNE ^{. ?} in solution at 175 K is ?5.5 kcal mol^?1. These results provide the first quantitative model describing the pairing of radical ions in solution, and demonstrate the key role of solvation forces on the dimerization process.     

A general quadratic force field for the diazirine molecule

A general quadratic force field has been calculated for the vibrations of the diazirine molecule by the refinement of a series of force constants obtained recently ab initio by Wiberg et al. for cyclopropene. The calculated force constants have been refined to fit the frequencies for the H₂CN₂ and D₂CN₂ species and the isotopic shifts of the H¹³CN₂ and H₂C¹⁵N₂ species.     

Vibrational spectra and force field of terephtalonitrile

The IR and Raman spectra of the two molecules terephtalonitrile and terephtalonitrile-¹⁵N were recorded to permit the general assignment of the vibrational bands observed, in agreement with a D_2h symmetry for these molecules. The general quadratic force field was calculated by the semi-empirical MINDO/3 method from an optimized geometry obtained by the same method. The resulting force field was refined by employing the experimental vibrational frequency data of the two molecules and those of terephtalonitrile-d₄. The final differences between the calculated end experimentally observed frequencies for B_2g and B_3u terephtalonitrile species were within the range ± 0.1 cm⁻¹.     

Radical Dimerization of 5,5′-Diphenyl-3,3′,4,4′-tetramethoxy-2,2′-bipyrrole: π Dimer in the Crystal, σ Dimer in Solution.

The crystalline, spinless π dimer ( 1 ^.+⋅PF₆)₂ was obtained by the oxidation of bipyrrole 1 with ferrocenium hexafluorophosphate. The diamagnetic species generated electrochemically in solution was identified as the σ dimer by NMR spectroscopy.