Cluster cations ejected from liquid metal ion source: alkali metals (Li,Na) and group IV elements (Si,Ge, Sn,Pb)

Cluster abundance of Li _n ⁺ (n≤19), Na _n ⁺ (n≤25), Si _n ^z+ (n≤8 forz=1, 3≤n≤7 forz=2), Ge _n ^z+ (n≤11 forz=1, 3≤n≤9 forz=2,n=4 forz=3), Sn _n ^z+ (n≤7 forz=1, 3≤n≤9 forz=2,n=4 forz=3) and Pb _n ^z+ (n≤6 forz=1, 5≤n≤7 forz=2) ejected from a liquid metal ion source has been investigated by mass spectrometry. The abundance spectra of alkali metal clusters showed distinct maxima and steps atn=3, 7, 9, 13 and 19 for Li, and atn=3, 5, 11, 13 and 19 for Na. Mass spectra of Si, Ge and Sn clusters were very similar each other, showing intensity drops aftern=4 and 6 (and alson=10 for Ge) for singly charged clusters. The magic numbers observed are discussed in terms of stability of charged clusters.     

Photofragmentation of mass resolved carbon cluster ions

The results of a detailed study of the photodissociation of carbon cluster ions, C ₃ ⁺ to C ₂₀ ⁺ , are presented and discussed. The experiments were performed using internally cold cluster ions derived from pulsed laser evaporation of a graphite target rod in a helium buffer gas followed by supersonic expansion. The mass selected clusters were photodissociated using 248 nm and 351 nm light from an excimer laser. Photofragment branching ratios, photodissociation cross sections and data on the laser fluence dependence of photodissociation are reported. For almost all initial clusters, C _n ⁺ , the dominant photodissociation pathway was observed to be loss of a C₃ unit to give a C _n?3 ⁺ ion. This observation is interpreted as indicating that dissociation occurs by a statistical unimolecular process rather than by direct photodissociation. The photodissociation was found to be linear with laser fluence forn>5 with 248 nm and 351 nm light; quadratic forn=5 for 248 nm and 351 nm; and linear forn=4 at 248 nm. Dissociation energies for the carbon cluster ions implied by these results are discussed. The photodissociation cross sections were found to change dramatically with cluster size and with the wavelength of the photodissociating light.     

The structure of small carbon clusters

New non linear isomers of C _n forn=4, 5, 6 have been observed using the combination of the laser photodetachment technique and the Coulomb Explosion Imaging method. Electron affinities of these isomers were found to be lower than the corresponding known linear isomers. The structure of low electron affinity C₄ isomer was found to be rhombic in accordance with recent theory. Indications for the non linearity of the low electron affinity isomers of C₅ and C₆ are also presented.     

Mass spectroscopic study of some novel water clusters: (H2O) n + ;n>3

A near atmospheric pressure ion source with a β-emitter as electron source is used to inject ions into a supersonic water expansion. Cluster ions of the structure (H₂O)⁺ _n have been observed forn up to 8. Forn>3 these cluster ions cannot be obtained by ionization of water clusters in vacuum, but they can be grown in the cold environment of a supersonic beam. Extremely clean conditions are necessary for the observation of these cluster ions. The data can be explained by assuming that the local potential minimum calculated for the (H₂O) _n ⁺ ,n=2, potential hypersurface exists also forn>2. The model developed to explain these data is similar to that proposed for ionized rare gas clusters.     

Fourfold ionization by electrons near the threshold

Threshold law for the processe+A ^q +→A( ^q+4)++5e has been derived within the classical theory. For neutral targets (q=0) the threshold exponent assumes value 5.08, consistent with previous calculations for ionizations of lower orders. The method fails forqn-fold ionization is provided, which predicts values for the threshold exponent κ=7.8 and 12.5 forn=5, 6 respectively.     

Ab-initio study of localization of an excess electron in sodium halide clusters

The equilibrium geometries of Na _n F _n and Na _n F _n?1 are optimized forn=2, 3, 4 at the SCF level. The Na _n F _n molecules appear as formed by Na⁺ and F^? ions. The paper studies the localization of the excess electron in the Na _n F _n?1 molecules. Na _n F _n?1 is obtained by removing from Na _n F _n a fluorine atom, and the excess electron takes the place of this lacking center, and allows a weak bond between the neighbouring Na atoms. Secondary minimum geometries, for which the excess electron has no defined place, are also studied.     

Stability of multiply charged silver clusters

Using the gasaggregation technique it is possible to generate metal clusters in narrow size distributions and to vary their mean size by adjusting the cell parameters. The high intensity of this source allows to detect besides singly charged clusters also multiply charged ones. Ag _n ²⁺ and Ag _n ³⁺ are observed forn≧9 andn≧31, respectively; i.e. at values well below the critical sizes reported for spheres.     

Electronic properties of aluminum clusters compared with the jellium model

The experimental polarizabilities, ionization potentials and electron affinities of aluminum clusters are compared with jellium predictions. It is found that the clusters have radii and work functions which are close to the jellium model predictions for clusters with more than 13 atoms. The polarizabilities of Al _n correspond with the jellium only forn>40 and the shell structure features in the ionization potentials are anomalous up to 37. We conclude that nonjellium effects are important up ton=40.     

Quantized losses from charged nitrogen clusters

Metastable decay of (N₂) _n ⁺ , formed in a supersonic jet and ionized by electron impact, has been analyzed forn≤50. The probability for decay of (N₂) _n ⁺ into (N₂) _n?x ⁺ , plotted versusx, exhibits pronounced oscillations. The “period” of these oscillations increases with increasing precursor sizen, but converges to an average value of approximately 4.7 beyondn=25.     

Energetics for the new forms of carbon-clusters

The growth of closedC _n -structures like fullerenes, shelled fullerenes, tubules and capped tubules controlled by the interplay of surface- and bending-energy is studied. Tubules are less stable than corresponding fullerenessC _n , and these are forn>n _c less stable than shelled fullerenes. Growth of fullerenes from graphite sheets requires bond breaking and bond rearrangement to form pentagons and finite temperatures to overcome energy barriers. Thermodynamical arguments are used to discuss the temperature- and size-dependence of the formation of the new forms of carbon. We argue that trapping of foreign atoms or molecules inside the closed structure may be achieved most efficiently by mixing these with carbon clusters before caging occurs.     

Electron transfer from laser excited rydberg atoms to molecules. Absolute rate constants at low and intermediate principal quantum numbers

Using mass spectrometric detection of positive and negative ions, we have investigated ionizing reactions of Ne(ns,nd) Rydberg atoms, efficiently excited by resonant two-photon excitation of metastable Ne(3s ³ P ₂) atoms, with electron attaching moleculesBC (BC=SF₆, CCl₄, CS₂, O₂) at thermal collision energies. Absolute rate constants have been determined in the range of low and intermediate principal quantum numbersn(5≦n?30) by utilizing the photoionization signal caused by room temperature black-body radiation and the loss of Ne(3s ³ P ₂) atoms, associated with the laser excitation. Substantially differentn-dependences of the electron transfer cross section have been found for the larger molecules (BC = SF₆, CCl₄) and the smaller molecules (BC = CS₂, O₂). Simple model calculations have been performed to gain new insight into the dynamics of the electron transfer process; forBC = SF₆, our results at lown(5 ≦n ≦ 10) suggest that internal energy conversion in the Coulombic complex Ne⁺ — SF ₆ ^? is important for the formation of the detected ions.     

Ermittlung kinetischer Parameter aus der Kurvenform für Reaktionen unter Aufheizung

Form indexes for DTA or TG curves (S _T orS _x) must be treated separately. Only forS _x can clear relations to be developed for the order of reactionn. In the rational range ofn between 0.5 and 3.0 we found for linear, exponential and hyperbolic programmes these functions were found to be of the type $$S_x = an^{0,5} + b$$ Since a low dependence on frequency factork ₀ has been established, for a linear programme the simultaneous determination ofn andk ₀ may be performed.     

Effect of isomeric butanols on the temperature corresponding to the adiabatic compressibility minimum of water

The effect of isomeric butanols on the temperature corresponding to the adiabatic compressibility minimum of water (T _β) was studied using a variablepath interferometer working at 3 MHz. The structural contribution to the shift inT _β, [ΔT _βstr]_exp, was found to be positive and to increase with concentration to a maximum atX ₂?0.0193, 0.0100, and 0.0090 fort-butanol, sec-butanol, and isobutanol, respectively. The results have been explained on the basis of stabilization of water structure at low concentrations of alcohol. The quantity [ΔT _βstr]_exp forn-butanol is practically zero at low concentrations, while at high concentrations it is negative, indicating rupture of the hydrogen-bonded structure of water by this solute. At any given concentration,t-butanol > sec-butanol > isobutanol >n-butanol is the order of increasing structural contribution to the shift inT _β. Theoretical values of the structural contribution to the shift inT _β are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Untersuchungen zum Energiespektrum vonα,ω-substituierten Polymethinketten

Taking into account the electron correlation by the method of alternant molecular Orbitals the energy spectrum ofα,ω-substituted polyenes X-(CH)_2n -X with (2n+2)π-electrons has been studied. In reasonable agreement with values estimated from available experimental spectral data of homologous polyendiones the energy gap forn→ ∞ was found to be in the same order of magnitude as for unsubstituted polyenes. The effect of the bond alternation should be small.     

The kinetics of reactions of nickel clusters with hydrogen and deuterium

The kinetics of reactions of nickel clusters with hydrogen and deuterium are studied in a laser-vaporization cluster source coupled to a continuous-flow reactor. The abslute rate constants for the addition of the first H₂ (D₂) molecule to nickel clusters Ni _n (n=7→36 for H₂ andn=7→60 for D₂) have been measured. Rate constants are found to be only weakly dependent onn forn≧14, showing a gradual increase with size that scales approximately withn ^(2/3), i.e., the cluster geometrical cross section. Reaction probabilities for clusters in this size range are approximately 0.6 for H₂ and 0.3 for D₂. Belown=14, there is a stronger dependence of reactivity on size, with Ni₉ being far less reactive than any other cluster studied. These results are compared to bulk nickel studies, and a discussion of possible correlation of reactivity to cluster structure is presented.     

New electron-deficient alkene and alkyne derivatives of Ru5(μ5-C)(CO)15: The syntheses and crystal structure analyses of Ru5(μ5-C)(CO)13 [C2H2(CO2Me)2] and Ru5(μ5-C)(CO)15 [C2(CO2Me)2]

Treatment of carbido cluster Ru₅(μ ₅-C)(CO)₁₅ with Me₃NO in acetonitrile solution followed by addition of dimethyl maleate or dimethyl acetylene dicarboxylate affords new clusters Ru₅(μ ₅-C)(CO)₁₃[C₂H₂(CO₂Me)₂] (1) and Ru₅(μ ₅-C)(CO)₁₅[C₂(CO₂Me)₂] (2), respectively. Single crystal X-ray structural studies reveal that both complexes contain a wingtip-bridged butterfly pentametallic skeleton. In complex1 the maleate fragment is coordinated to one wingtip Ru atom through its carbon-carbon double bond and to the adjacent Ru atom by the formation of two O → Ru dative bonding interactions, while the acetylene dicarboxylate fragment in2 is best considered as acis-dimetallated alkene, linking one hinge Ru atom and the nearby Ru atom at the bridged position. Crystal data for1: space group P 4₂/n;a=20.199(6),c=13.941(3) Å,Z=8; finalR _F=0.025,R _w=0.026 for 3963 reflections withI>2σ(I). Crystal data for2: space group P2₁/n;a=9.634(3),b=20.062(6),c=17.372(5) Å,β=90.62(2)°,Z=4; finalR _F=0 033,R _w=0.036 for 4683 reflections withI>3σ(I).     

Ultraviolet absorption bands of [Cs n+1 I n ]+ (n<14) clusters

Starting from the large photofragmentation cross sections recently reported for mass-selected alkali-halide clusters [1], we have obtained, for the first time, optical absorption spectra forCs _n+1 I _n ⁺ clusters in the ultraviolet charge-transfer bands. In this short report we focus on the spectra ofn=4, 6 and 13 which start to show absorption between the lowest charge-transfer band of the diatomic (ca. 3.8 eV) and that of the bulk (ca. 5.9 eV). The spectral features are analyzed for these sizes and correlated to their structures qualitatively as a preliminary model.     

Neutral mass-selected lead cluster beams

Neutral lead cluster beams with ultra-narrow size distribution were produced by neutralization of mass-selected lead cluster ions, Pb _n ⁺ withn≤12, in sodium vapor under near-resonant conditions. Absolute charge exchange cross sections were measured as a function of cluster size and are on the order of 40 Ų forn≥4. Possible fragmentation of the clusters associated with charge transfer was examined by translational spectroscopy. No indication of fragmentation was found.     

Alkylation of cyclododecanone with α,ω-dibromoalkanes under conditions of phase-transfer catalysis

Alkylation of cyclododecanone with ,-dibromoalkanes Br(CH) _n Br (n=3, 4, 5) under conditions of phase-transfer catalysis in the presence of KOH results in the formation of either bicyclic ketones forn=3 and 5 or a mixture of bicyclic and spirocyclic ketones forn=4.Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1436–1438, August, 1994.     

Calculation of the electronic properties of neutral and ionized divalent-metal clusters

The electronic properties of neutral and ionized divalent-metal clusters have been studied using a microscopic theory, which takes into account the interplay between van der Waals (vdW) and covalent bonding in the neutral clusters, and the competition between hole delocalization and polarization energy in the ionized clusters. By calculating the ground-state energies of neutral and ionized Hg _n clusters, we determine the size dependence of the bond character and the ionization potentialI _p (n). For neutral Hg _n clusters we obtain a transition from van der Waals to covalent behaviour at the critical sizen _c ～10–20 atoms. Results forI _p (Hg _n ) withn≤20 are in good agreement with experiments, and suggest that small Hg _n ⁺ clusters can be viewed as consisting of a positive trimer core Hg ₃ ⁺ surrounded byn?3 polarized neutral atoms.