The A Πu-X Πg emission spectrum of I2

The A ²Π_u-X ²Π_g electronic emission spectrum of I₂⁺ has been recorded at a low rotational temperature in a crossed molecular beam/electron beam apparatus. Six vibrational sequences with five or more members have been assigned to progressions in ν′, giving ω′_e = 122±8 cm⁻¹, but a full vibrational analysis has not been possible. It is not known whether this is due to the relatively poor resolution (≈5 cm⁻¹) at which the spectrum has been recorded or because the A ²Π_u state is perturbed in one or both spin-orbit components. Existing data on the A state of I₂⁺ are reviewed.     

The vibration-rotation spectrum and anharmonic potential of H3

Some qualitative effects of anharmonicity on the spectra of H₃⁺ and D₃⁺ between low vibrational levels are described. Using large-basis vibration-rotation calculations with a Morse-based discrete variable representation for the vibrations and a symmetric-top basis for the rotations, new spectra of H₃⁺ and D₃⁺ have been assigned. This procedure was assisted by adjusting eight coefficients for H₃⁺ and six coefficients for D₃⁺ in the Meyer-Botschwina-Burton ab initio potential function, and eventually 621 new and old lines of H₃⁺ to levels up to 3ν₂ and 529 new and old lines of D₃⁺ to levels up to 2ν₂ have been fitted with standard deviations of 0.118 and 0.059 cm⁻¹, respectively. An attempt is made to compare five different potential energy functions for the H₃⁺ system, two ab initio and three adjusted to fit spectra of H₃⁺ or D₃⁺, by expanding them by the same procedure in the same variables. For extension of the present work to higher vibrational levels, more accurate boundary behaviour at linear configurations will be required, and some aspects of the use of hyperspherical coordinates are discussed.     

A CASSCF/icMRCI study of the electric field gradient in low-lying electronic states of N2/N2

The electric field gradients (EFG’s) at the nucleus are calculated as a function of internuclear separation in the X²Σ_g⁺ and B²Σ_u⁺ electronic states of the nitrogen molecule cation using the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction (icMRCI) method. The EFG’s and potential energy functions (PEF’s) are used to estimate the ¹⁴N nuclear quadrupole coupling constants (NQCC’s) in the two electronic states as functions of vibrational and end-over-end rotational quantum numbers. The dependences of the computed constants on the basis set and reference configuration space are investigated. Since no counterpart for comparison of the calculated NQCC’s exists, the N₂⁺ results are supported by analogous calculations on the X¹Σ_g⁺ and A³Σ_u⁺ states of N₂, for which established data are available. The overall good quality of the icMRCI wave functions is further corroborated by a favorable agreement of spectroscopic constants derived from the corresponding PEF’s and experimental data. Variations of the EFG with internuclear separation are explained in terms of wave function composition, and used for gaining specific insight into the chemical bonding in N₂⁺ and N₂.     

Resonant two-photon dissociation of Ni2

Ni₂⁺ ions generated in a pulsed high-temperature plasma and cooled by supersonic expansion are photodissociated with tunable visible laser radiation. Resonant bound-bound absorption in the isolated ion is detected by the observation of Ni₂⁺ → Ni⁺ + Ni sequential two-photon dissociation. Progressions of vibronic bands with partially resolved rotational structure belonging to several distinct electronic transitions in Ni₂⁺ have been observed in the interval between 16250 and 23500 cm⁻¹. The appearance and preliminary analysis of this resonant two-photon dissociation (R2PD) spectrum will be discussed.     

The pure rotational Raman spectra of cyanogen, C2N2 and C2N2

The pure rotational Raman spectra of C₂¹⁴N₂ and C₂¹⁵N₂ have been recorded photographically using a 3-metre spectrograph with a reciprocal linear dispersion of 1.4 cm⁻¹ mm⁻¹ at 488.0 nm and analysed to give the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants for both species. Corrections were applied to compensate for the effect of molecules in excited vibrational states on the pure rotational spectra. Comparisons are made with previous infrared vibration—rotational studies on these species and with previous Raman studies on C₂¹⁴N₂. The following bond lengths were calculated: r₀(C---N) = 116 ± 1 pm; r₀(C---C) = 138 ± 2 pm.     

Vibrational dependence of the NH3 (v2)+NO and NO(v)+NH3 charge transfer cross sections

A tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer is used to study the charge transfer reactions NH₃⁺ + NO and NO⁺ + NH₃ over a collision energy range 1.5–13 eV. The vibrational state of the reagent ions is selected by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. For the 0.9 eV exothermic process NH₃⁺ + NO → NH₃ + NO⁺ excitation of the v₂ umbrella bending mode (v₂ = 0–12) causes no marked change in the charge transfer cross section, while in the reverse process NO⁺ + NH₃ → NO + NH₃⁺ excitation of the NO⁺ vibration (v = 0–6) strongly enhanced the charge transfer cross section.     

Simulated T ← S spectra of benzaldehydes as a function of the energy gap between the ππ and nπ levels

The T_1,2 ← S₀ spectra of benzaldehydes have been studied as a function of the energy separation between the vibrationless levels. It is shown that the spectra are very complicated in the region of ΔE[T₂⁰(nπ^*)-T₁⁰(ππ^*)] = 250–400 cm⁻¹, reflecting effective vibronic interferences between T₂⁰(0-0) and each of the ν₃₆-ν₃₃ out-of-plane vibrational levels of T₁⁰(ππ^*). The simulated spectra correspond to the observed spectra. In the case of T₁⁰ = ³nπ^* and T₂⁰ = ³ππ^* the spectral change is not so drastic as in the reverse case loc. cit. because the optical intensity generally concentrates in the longest wavelength band, i.e., the origin band of the T₁(nπ^*) ← S₀ transition. The simulation spectra are useful for interpretation of the absorption spectra in similar electronic structure systems of substituted benzaldehydes.     

Kinetic mass spectrometric determination of the absolute rate coefficient for the reaction NH3 (ν = 0) + NH3 → NH4 + NH2 at thermal kinetic energies

The absolute thermal rate coefficient for the reaction NH₃⁺ + NH₃ → NH₄⁺ + NH₂ has been determined experimentally for the first time for NH₃⁺ (ν = 0) reactant ions. An increase in E_vib results in a decrease in the rate coefficient for proton transfer.     

Study of the N2 bΠu state via 1 + 1 multiphoton ionization

Medium-resolution spectra of the N₂ b¹Π_u-X¹Σ_g⁺ band system were recorded by 1 + 1 multiphoton ionization. In the spectra we found different linewidths for transitions to different vibrational levels in the b ¹Π_u state: Δν₀ = 0.50 ± 0.05 cm⁻¹, Δν₁ = 0.28 ± 0.02 cm⁻¹, Δν₂ = 0.65 ± 0.06 cm⁻¹, Δν₃ = 3.2 ± 0.5 cm⁻¹, Δν₄ = 0.60 ± 0.07 cm⁻¹, and Δν₅ = 0.28 ± 0.02 cm⁻¹. From these linewidths, predissociation lifetimes τ_ν were obtained: τ₀ = 16 ± 3 ps, τ₁ > 150 ps, τ₂ = 10 ± 2 ps, τ₃ = 1.6 ± 0.3 ps, τ₄ = 9 ± 2 ps, and τ₅ > 150 ps. Band origins and rotational constants for the b ¹Π_uν = 0 and 1 levels were determined for the ¹⁴N₂ and ¹⁴N¹⁵N molecules.     

A new singlet state of Te2

The 4067 Å line of the krypton-ion laser covers two transitions in the BO⁺_u-X O⁺_g system of ¹³⁰Te₂, R(36) in the 16-0 band and R(172) in the 18-0 band. Subsequent fluorescence has been recorded by Fourier transform spectrometry in the range 5900 to 15000 cm⁻¹. Many transitions, with v' in the range 0 to 47, have been assigned to a new system, B O⁺_u-b¹ ∑⁺_g, and vibrational and rotational constants for the new state have been derived. The value of T_e for b ^I∑_g⁺ is about 9600.2 cm⁻¹.     

Pathway studies in the fragmentation of Ge(CH3)4 involving Ge(3d,3p,3s) and C(1s) inner-shell photoexcitation in the range 49.5–450 eV

The dissociative multiple photoionization of tetramethylgermane (Ge(CH₃)₄) in the valence, and in the Ge(3d,3p,3s) and C(1s) inner-shell regions has been studied by using time-of-flight mass spectrometry coupled to synchrotron radiation in the range 49.5–450 eV. Total and individual photoion yields have been recorded as a function of the incident photon energy. Several discrete resonances over a structureless giant resonance are observed below the Ge(3p), Ge(3s) and C(1s) threshold regions. The structureless giant resonance corresponding to the Ge(3d) presumably arises from the continuum enhancement caused by the 3d→εf transition. Various monocations of H⁺, H₂⁺, CH_n⁺ (n=0–4), C₂H_n⁺ (n=0–5), GeH_n⁺, GeCH_n⁺, GeC₂H_n⁺, and GeC₃H_n⁺ are detected in the whole energy range. Dissociation processes have also been investigated by photoelectron–photoion and photoion–photoion coincidence methods. The dominant dissociation channel is found to be CH_n⁺–GeCH_n⁺ in the whole energy examined. Specific energy dependence of dissociation processes is observed in the Ge(3p) and Ge(3s) regions. With the help of ab initio HF/6-311++G(2df,p) calculation, we roughly estimated the photoabsorption positions and symmetries for the discrete core hole states.     

Electronic and vibronic dipole moments of CH2D

Isotopic substitution of a hydrogen atom by deuterium turns a non-polar ion such as CH₃⁻ into a non-centrosymmetric system, CH₂D⁻, suitable for rotational spectra detection in space. The vibrational contribution to the dipole moment of the ion is investigated in this paper. The electronic potential surface has been obtained in a first-order CI, starting from a full valence active space built by using projected localized orbitals, to which core valence correlation effects have been added to account for rehybridization. The vibrational functions are obtained in a basis of harmonic oscillators. Three levels of vibrational treatment are presented, i.e. harmonic, non-coupled and coupled modes. The final result for the transition moment in the lowest vibrational level, μ_v = 0.327 Debye, shows that CH₂D⁻ should be observed and may be a useful tracer of CH₃⁺ in interstellar chemistry.     

Stabilization and electron spin resonance characterization of Ru(bpy)3 and Ru(bpy)3 by radiolysis of Ru(bpy)3 adsorbed on silica gel

Ru(bpy)₃³⁺, which is important in artificial photosynthetic systems due to its high reduction potential, is stabilized together with its counter anion, Ru(bpy)₃⁺, by radiolysis of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ adsorbed on silica gel at 77 K. Both species are characterized by electron spin resonance.     

Autoionization spectra of Li2 and the XΣg ground state of Li2: Experimental and theoretical investigations

Autoionizing Rydberg levels of Li₂ molecules in a supersonic molecular beam are populated by stepwise excitation with two tunable pulsed dye lasers. The observed autoionization spectra show severe perturbations. Based on calculations of quantum defects and a perturbation treatment of l-uncoupling a tentative assignment of Rydberg series up to n = 32 is proposed. The convergence limits of these series yield a value of IP = 41475 cm⁻¹ for the adiabatic ionization potential and a vibrational constant ω_e = 263 cm⁻¹ for the X²Σ⁺_g ground state of Li⁺₂. The experimental results are compared with ab initio calculations combined with a core polarization potential, which yield the potential curve. the dissociation energy, the quadrupole moment and the vibrational frequency for the X²Σ⁺_g ground state of Li⁺₂, in the excellent agreement with experimental findings.     

Charge transfer photochemistry of Ru(bpz)3 with carboxylic acids and carboxylate ions

Ru(bpz)₃²⁺ (bpz = 2,2′-bipyrazine) has six peripheral uncoordinated nitrogen atoms potentially available for protonation in presence of acids. The emission from ^*Ru(bpz)₃²⁺ is efficiently quenched by organic acids and the observed quenching rate constants are explained in terms of proton transfer from acids to ^*Ru(bpz)₃²⁺. The absorption and emission intensity of Ru(bpz)₃²⁺ increases with increasing concentration of carboxylate ion suggesting the complex formation between the two reactants in the ground state. From these studies, the formation constant (K_f) have been evaluated by Benesi–Hildebrand method. The K_f values indicate that generally the ion pair association constants estimated from absorption and emission techniques are comparable and these values are sensitive to the structure of the carboxylate ions.     

Lifetime measurements of the excited states of N2 AND N2 by laser-induced fluorescence

Absorption and fluorescent scattering of nitrogen laser radiation by a low-pressure RF laboratory plasma (n_e = 10¹² cm⁻³) has been observed for the first negative system of N₂⁺. A 67±1 ns lifetime of N₂⁺ (B ²Σ_u⁺) was experimentally measured from the laser-induced fluorescence. In addition, enough collisionally excited N₂ (B ³Π_g) was produced to observe laser-induced fluorescence for the second positive system of N₂. The lifetime of N₂ (C ³Π_u) was found to be 41±2 ns. The measured lifetimes are in good agreement with published values calculated from theory.     

Complexes of cationic coinage metal clusters Mn (M=Cu, Ag, Au; n=1–4) and H2S: a theoretical study

Geometries and vibrational frequencies of complexes of cationic coinage metal clusters M_n⁺ (M=Cu, Ag, Au; n=1–4) and H₂S are computed using density functional theory. Thermochemical values for M_n⁺H₂S decomposition channels involving loss of an H atom, H₂ molecule, M atom, or M₂ molecule are also computed. Significantly different results are obtained for closed-shell (n odd) and open-shell (n even) complexes.     

Theoretical study of the visible photodissociation spectrum of Ar3

The six A′ potential energy surfaces were computed by a DIM-like method involving a valence-bond quasidiabatic basis. Transition dipole moments were also determined using a similar method. The 4D dynamics of this system (restricted to a molecular plane fixed in space) was obtained with the HWD method (hemiquantal dynamics with the whole DIM basis) and the visible photoabsorption spectrum was determined with the help of a 1D full quantum mechanical program applied to each normal mode. The photoabsorption spectrum of Ar₃⁺ was calculated in the range 440–710 nm. It corresponds to photodissociation since the excited Ar₃⁺ ions almost all dissociate into the Ar⁺ +Ar+Ar channel by a rapid explosion of the cluster, and only very few into Ar₂⁺ +Ar. It is dominated by a transition to the second excited state along with a symmetric stretching motion. We found a prominent 80 nm wide peak centered at 530 nm, with a maximum cross section of 4.2 × 10⁻¹⁶cm². The Ar₂⁺ formation results from a transition to the first excited state under low-energy laser excitation and is controlled by non-adiabatic transitions.     

Simplified models for anharmonic numbers and densities of vibrational states. I. Application to NO2 and H3

Numbers and densities of vibrational states of non-rotating polyatomic molecules are calculated by a simplified model which accounts for Morse anharmonicities of stretching and for generalized empirical stretch-bend couplings of bending modes. At energies above the dissociation limit, adiabatic channel maxima restrict the molecular phase space. The model is applied to the NO₂( 2A₁), NO₂(Ã ²B₂), and H₃⁺ systems for which satisfactory agreement with the available experimental or calculational results is obtained.     

Density functional theory analysis of CaRgn complexes: (Rg=He, Ne, Ar; n=1–4)

CaRg_n⁺ (Rg=He, Ne, Ar) complexes with n=1–4, are investigated by performing using the B3LYP/6-311+G (3df) density functional theory calculations. The CaHe_n⁺ (n=1–4) complexes are found to be stable. In the case of CaNe_n⁺ and CaAr_n⁺, stable structures and stationary point were found only for n=1 and 2. For n=3 in the C_3V and the D_3h point group as well as for n=4 in the T_d (tetrahedral) point group a saddle point (imaginary frequency) is observed and global minimum could be obtained along the potential energy surface.