Infrared overtone spectroscopy and vibrational analysis of a Fermi resonance in nitric acid: Experiment and theory

High resolution infrared spectra of nitric acid have been recorded in the first OH overtone region under jet-cooled conditions using a sequential IR-UV excitation method. Vibrational bands observed at 6933.39(3), 6938.75(4), and 6951.985(3) cm(-1) (origins) with relative intensities of 0.42(1), 0.38(1), and 0.20(1) are attributed to strongly mixed states involved in a Fermi resonance. A vibrational deperturbation analysis suggests that the optically bright OH overtone stretch (2nu1) at 6939.2(1) cm(-1) is coupled directly to the nu1 + 2nu2 state at 6946.4(1) cm(-1) and indirectly to the 3nu2 + nu3 + nu7 state at 6938.5(1) cm(-1). Both the identity of the zero-order states and the indirect coupling scheme are deduced from complementary CCSD(T) calculations in conjunction with second-order vibrational perturbation theory. The deperturbation analysis also yields the experimental coupling between 2nu1 and nu1 + 2nu2 of -6.9(1) cm(-1), and that between the two dark states of +5.0(1) cm(-1). The calculated vibrational energies and couplings are in near quantitative agreement with experimentally derived values except for a predicted twofold stronger coupling of 2nu1 to nu1 + 2nu2. Weaker coupling of the strongly mixed states to a dense background of vibrational states via intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution is evident from the experimental linewidths of 0.08 and 0.25 cm(-1) for the higher energy and two overlapping lower energy bands, respectively. A comprehensive rotational analysis of the higher energy band yields spectroscopic parameters and the direction of the OH overtone transition dipole moment.     

Direct identification and decongestion of Fermi resonances by control of pulse time ordering in two-dimensional IR spectroscopy

We show that it is possible to both directly measure and directly calculate Fermi resonance couplings in benzene. The measurement method used was a particular form of two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy (2D-IR) known as doubly vibrationally enhanced four wave mixing. By using different pulse orderings, vibrational cross peaks could be measured either purely at the frequencies of the base vibrational states or split by the coupling energy. This capability is a feature currently unique to this particular form of 2D-IR and can be helpful in the decongestion of complex spectra. Five cross peaks of the ring breathing mode nu13 with a range of combination bands were observed spanning a region of 1500-4550 cm(-1). The coupling energy was measured for two dominant states of the nu13+nu16 Fermi resonance tetrad. Dephasing rates were measured in the time domain for nu13 and the two (nu13+nu16) Fermi resonance states. The electronic and mechanical vibrational anharmonic coefficients were calculated to second and third orders, respectively, giving information on relative intensities of the cross peaks and enabling the Fermi resonance states of the combination band nu13+nu16 at 3050-3100 cm(-1) to be calculated. The excellent agreement between calculated and measured spectral intensities and line shapes suggests that assignment of spectral features from ab initio calculations is both viable and practicable for this form of spectroscopy.     

Rovibrationally selected and resolved state-to-state photoionization of ethylene using the infrared-vacuum ultraviolet pulsed field ionization-photoelectron method

By preparing ethylene [C2H4(X1Ag)] in selected rotational levels of the nu11(b1u), nu2+nu12(b1u), or nu9(b2u) vibrational state with infrared (IR) laser photoexcitation prior to vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) laser photoionization, we have recorded rotationally resolved pulsed field ionization-photoelectron (PFI-PE) spectra for C2H4+(X2B3u) in the energy region of 0-3000 cm(-1) above the ionization energy (IE) of C2H4(X1Ag). Here, nu2(ag), nu9(b2u), nu11(b1u), and nu12(b1u) represent the C-C stretching, CH2 stretching, CH2 stretching, and CH2 bending modes of C2H4(X1Ag), respectively. The fully rovibrationally resolved spectra have allowed unambiguous symmetry assignments of the observed vibrational bands, which in turn have provided valuable information on the photoionization dynamics of C2H4. The IR-VUV photoionization of C2H4(X1Ag) via the nu11(b1u) or nu2+nu12(b1u) vibrational states is found to predominantly produce vibrational states of C2H4+(X2B3u) with b1u symmetry, which cannot be observed in single-photon VUV-PFI-PE measurements of C2H4(X1Ag). The analysis of the observed IR-VUV-PFI-PE bands has provided the IE(C2H4) = 84,790.2(2) cm(-1) and accurate vibrational frequencies for the nu4+(au)[84.1(2) cm(-1)], nu12+(b1u)[1411.7(2) cm(-1)], nu4+ +nu12+(b1g)[1482.5(2) cm(-1)], nu2+(ag)[1488.3(2) cm(-1)], nu2+ + nu4+(au)[1559.2(2) cm(-1)], 2nu4+ + nu12 +(b1u)[1848.5(2) cm(-1)], 4nu4+ + nu12 +(b1u)[2558.8(2) cm(-1)], nu2+ + nu12 +(b1u)[2872.7(2) cm(-1)], and nu11+(b1u)[2978.7(2) cm(-1)] vibrational states of C2H4+(X2B3u), where nu4+ is the ion torsional state. The IE(C2H4) and the nu4+(au), nu2+(ag), and nu2+ + nu4+ (au) frequencies are in excellent accord with those obtained in previous single-photon VUV-PFI-PE measurements. The other ion vibrational frequencies represent new experimental determinations. We have also performed high-level ab initio anharmonic vibrational frequency calculations for C2H4(X1Ag) and C2H4+(X2B3u) at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ level for guidance in the assignment of the IR-VUV-PFI-PE spectra. All theoretical vibrational frequencies for the neutral and ion, except the ion torsional frequency, are found to agree with experimental vibrational frequencies to better than 1%.     

Anharmonic vibrational frequencies and vibrationally averaged structures and nuclear magnetic resonance parameters of FHF-

The anharmonic vibrational frequencies of FHF(-) were computed by the vibrational self-consistent-field, configuration-interaction, and second-order perturbation methods with a multiresolution composite potential energy surface generated by the electronic coupled-cluster method with various basis sets. Anharmonic vibrational averaging was performed for the bond length and nuclear magnetic resonance indirect spin-spin coupling constants, where the latter computed by the equation-of-motion coupled-cluster method. The calculations placed the vibrational frequencies at 580 (nu(1)), 1292 (nu(2)), 1313 (nu(3)), 1837 (nu(1) + nu(3)), and 1864 cm(-1) (nu(1) + nu(2)), the zero-point H-F bond length (r(0)) at 1.1539 A, the zero-point one-bond spin-spin coupling constant [(1)J(0)(HF)] at 124 Hz, and the bond dissociation energy (D(0)) at 43.3 kcal/mol. They agreed excellently with the corresponding experimental values: nu(1) = 583 cm(-1), nu(2) = 1286 cm(-1), nu(3) = 1331 cm(-1), nu(1) + nu(3) = 1849 cm(-1), nu(1) + nu(2) = 1858 cm(-1), r(0) = 1.1522 A, (1)J(0)(HF) = 124+/-3 Hz, and D(0) = 44.4+/-1.6 kcal/mol. The vibrationally averaged bond lengths matched closely the experimental values of five excited vibrational states, furnishing a highly dependable basis for correct band assignments. An adiabatic separation of high- (nu(3)) and low-frequency (nu(1)) stretching modes was examined and found to explain semiquantitatively the appearance of a nu(1) progression on nu(3). Our calculations predicted a value of 186 Hz for experimentally inaccessible (2)J(0)(FF).     

Study of the H-F stretching band in the absorption spectrum of (CH3)2O...HF in the gas phase

The absorption spectra of the (CH3)2O...HF complex in the range of 4200-2800 cm(-1) were recorded in the gas phase at a resolutions of 0.1 cm(-1) at T = 190-340 K. The spectra obtained were used to analyze their structure and to determine the temperature dependencies of the first and second spectral moments. The band shape of the (CH3)2O...HF complex in the region of the nu1(HF) stretching mode was reconstructed nonempirically. The nu1 and nu3 stretching vibrations and four bending vibrations responsible for the formation of the band shape were considered. The equilibrium geometry and the 1D-4D potential energy surfaces were calculated at the MP2 6-311++G(2d,2p) level with the basis set superposition error taken into account. On the basis of these surfaces, a number of one- and multidimensional anharmonic vibrational problems were solved by the variational method. Solutions of auxiliary 1D and 2D vibrational problems showed the strong coupling between the modes. The energy levels, transition frequencies and intensities, and the rotational constants for the combining vibrational states necessary to reconstruct the spectrum were obtained from solutions of the 4D problem (nu1, nu3, nu5(B2), nu6(B2)) and the 2D problem (nu5(B1), nu6(B1)). The theoretical spectra reconstructed for different temperatures as a superposition of rovibrational bands associated with the fundamental, hot, sum, and difference transitions reproduce the shape and separate spectral features of the experimental spectra. The calculated value of the nu1 frequency is 3424 cm(-1). Along with the frequencies and absolute intensities, the calculation yields the vibrationally averaged values of the separation between the centers of mass of the monomers Rc.-of-m., R(O...F), and r(HF) for different states. In particular, upon excitation of the nu1 mode, Rc.-of-m. becomes shorter by 0.0861 A, and r(HF) becomes longer by 0.0474 A.     

High-resolution absorption spectrum of jet-cooled CH3Cl between 70,000 and 85,000 cm(-1): new assignments

The absorption spectrum of jet-cooled CH(3)Cl was photographed from 165 to 117 nm (or 60,000 - 85,000 cm(-1), 7.5-10.5 eV) at a resolution limit of 0.0008 nm (0.3-0.6 cm(-1) or 0.04-0.08 meV). Even in the best structured region of the spectrum, from 70,000 to 85,000 cm(-1) (8.7-10.5 eV), observed bandwidths (full width at half maximum) are large, from 50 to 150 cm(-1). No rotational feature could be resolved. The spectrum is dominated by two strong bands near 9 eV, 140 nm, the D and E bands of Mulliken [J. Chem. Phys. 8, 382 (1940)] or the spectral region D of Price [J. Chem. Phys.4, 539 (1936)]. Their relative intensity is incompatible with previous assignments, namely, to a triplet and a singlet state belonging to the same configuration. On the basis of the present ab initio calculations, those bands are now assigned to two singlet states, the (1)A(1) and (1)E excited states resulting from the 2e(3)4pe Rydberg configuration. The present calculations also reveal that the two (1)E states issued from 2e(3)4sa(1) and 2e(3)4pa(1) are quasidegenerate and strongly mixed. They should be assigned to the two broad bands near 8 eV, 160 nm, the B and C bands of Mulliken and Price. Three vibrational modes are observed to be active: the CCl bond stretch nu(3)(a(1)), and the CH(3) umbrella and rocking vibrations, respectively, nu(2)(a(1)) and nu(6)(e). The fundamental frequencies deduced are well within the ranges defined by the corresponding values in the neutral and ion ground states. The possibility of a dynamical Jahn-Teller effect induced by the nu(6)(e) vibrational mode in the (1)E Rydberg states is discussed.     

Rovibrational spectra of ammonia. II. Detailed analysis, comparison, and prediction of spectroscopic assignments for 14NH3, 15NH3, and 14ND3

Several aspects of ammonia rovibrational spectra have been investigated using the new HSL-2 potential energy surface that includes an approximate correction for nonadiabatic effects. The unprecedented accuracy of rovibrational energy levels and transition energies computed using HSL-2 was demonstrated in Part I of this study. For (14)NH(3), new assignments for a few ν(3) + ν(4) band transitions and energy levels are suggested, and discrepancies between computed and HITRAN energy levels in the 2ν(4) band are analyzed (2ν(4) is the most difficult band below 5000 cm(-1)). New assignments are suggested for existing or missing 2ν(4) levels. Several new vibrational bands are identified from existing, unassigned HITRAN data, including 2ν(2) + ν(4), (ν(3) + ν(4)) -A(')∕A("), ν(1) + 2ν(2), and 2ν(2) + 2ν(4). The strong mixing between the 2ν(4) and 2ν(2) + ν(4) bands is carefully examined and found to be the source of the difficulties in the experimental modeling of 2ν(4). Discussion is presented for preliminary J = 10 results, where the overall root-mean-square error is estimated to be less than 0.039 cm(-1). The analysis of the 4ν(2) band demonstrates both the reliability and the accuracy of predictions from HSL-2. The full list of computed J = 0 band origins (with assignments) and the inversion splittings up to 7000-8000 cm(-1) above the zero-point energy are presented. J = 0-2 levels are reported for those bands below 5100 cm(-1) that are missing from the HITRAN database. For (15)NH(3), excellent agreement is found for the available ν(2) and ν(3) + ν(4)(E) transition energies, but significant deficiencies are shown for HITRAN levels and several corrections are suggested. The (15)N isotopic effects are presented for the J = 0-6 levels of 13 HITRAN bands. For (14)ND(3), we reproduce the pure rotational inversion spectra line frequencies with an accuracy similar to that for (14)NH(3). However, it is not possible to reproduce simultaneously all four pairs of inversion-split vibrational fundamentals to better than 0.05 cm(-1) uncertainty. It is suggested that a reanalysis of some suspicious (14)ND(3) fundamental bands is required. The analyses presented here and in Part I show that rovibrational energy levels and transition frequencies computed with HSL-2 (with nonadiabatic corrections) remain highly accurate well beyond the experimental data used in the refinement procedure. Calculations using HSL-2 are capable of revealing many deficiencies in experimental analyses of ammonia spectra and provide reliable predictions with similar accuracy. It is expected that the results of this study will be useful in the future interpretation of high-resolution spectra from laboratory experiments or from astronomical observations. The present work represents a very significant advance in the state of our knowledge of the spectroscopy of ammonia and its isotopologues.     

Vibrational overtone spectroscopy of jet-cooled methanol from 5000 to 14 000 cm(-1)

Spectra of jet-cooled methanol in the overtone and combination region from 5000 to 14 000 cm(-1) have been obtained by means of infrared laser-assisted photofragment spectroscopy. Many of the observed features are assigned to combination bands of the type nnu(1)+nu(6), nnu(1)+nu(8), and nnu(1)+nu(6)+nu(8) (n=1,2,3), where nu(1) is the OH stretch, nu(6) is the OH bend, and nu(8) is the CO stretch. These bands show sharp torsion-rotation structure with features as narrow as 0.1 cm(-1). We also observe CH stretch overtones that are weaker than the OH containing combination bands and lack distinct torsion-rotation structure above v(CH)=2. The extent of observed structure on these bands allows us to place limits on the intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution decay rates in the upper vibrational states. We report a global fit of the observed band centers to a simple expression involving low-order anharmonicity constants.     

Cavity ringdown spectrum of the forbidden A2E' <-- X2A(2)' transition of NO3: evidence for static Jahn-Teller distortion in the A state

The Jahn-Teller effect in the first two excited states of the nitrate radical NO3 has yet to be experimentally elucidated. In this paper, direct evidence of strong Jahn-Teller interactions in the A state is presented from the first complete absorption spectrum of the A2E' <-- X2A(2)' transition of NO3 in the gas phase in the region 5900-9000 cm(-1), at moderate resolution (0.15 cm(-1)). The observed spectrum is consistent with Herzberg-Teller selection rules, and reveals strong linear and quadratic Jahn-Teller interactions in the A state. Several of the vibronic bands have been tentatively assigned, including nu2, nu3, an irregular progression in nu4, and combination bands involving nu1. Our assignments are consistent with the previous works of Weaver et al. [A. Weaver, D. W. Arnold, S. E. Bradforth, and D. M. Neumark, J. Chem. Phys. 94, 1740 (1991)] and Hirota et al. [E. Hirota, T. Ishiwata, K. Kawaguchi, M. Fujitake, N. Ohashi, and I. Tanaka, J. Phys. Chem. 107, 2829 (1997)] The band origin is not observed, in accord with the selection rules, but is determined to be T0=7064 cm(-1) from the observation of the 4(1)0 hot band at 6695.7 cm(-1). Rotational contour analysis of this band indicates that the upper state is an asymmetric rotor, establishing that NO3 undergoes static Jahn-Teller distortion in the ground vibrational level of the A state.     

Jet cooled spectroscopy of H2DO+: Barrier heights and isotope-dependent tunneling dynamics from H3O+ to D3O+

The first high resolution spectroscopic data for jet cooled H2DO+ are reported, specifically via infrared laser direct absorption in the OH stretching region with a slit supersonic jet discharge source. Transitions sampling upper (0-) and lower (0+) tunneling states for both symmetric (nu1+ <-- 0+, nu1- <-- 0-, and nu1- <-- 0+) and antisymmetric (nu3+ <-- 0+ and nu3- <-- 0-) OH stretching bands are observed, where +/- refers to wave function reflection symmetry with respect to the planar umbrella mode transition state. The spectra can be well fitted to a Watson asymmetric top Hamiltonian, revealing band origins and rotational constants for benchmark comparison with high-level ab initio theory. Of particular importance are detection and assignment of the relatively weak band (nu1- <-- 0+) that crosses the inversion tunneling gap, which is optically forbidden in H3O+ or D3O+, but weakly allowed in H2DO+ by lowering of the tunneling transition state symmetry from D(3h) to C(2v). In conjunction with other H2DO+ bands, this permits determination of the tunneling splittings to within spectroscopic precision for each of the ground [40.518(10) cm(-1)], nu1 = 1 [32.666(6) cm(-1)], and nu3 = 1 [25.399(11) cm(-1)] states. A one-dimensional zero-point energy corrected potential along the tunneling coordinate is constructed from high-level ab initio CCSD(T) calculations (AVnZ, n = 3,4,5) and extrapolated to the complete basis set limit to extract tunneling splittings via a vibrationally adiabatic treatment. Perturbative scaling of the potential to match splittings for all four isotopomers permits an experimental estimate of DeltaV0 = 652.9(6) cm(-1) for the tunneling barrier, in good agreement with full six-dimensional ab initio results of Rajamaki, Miani, and Halonen (RMH) [J. Chem. Phys. 118, 10929 (2003)]. (DeltaV0 (RMH) = 650 cm(-1)). The 30%-50% decrease in tunneling splitting observed upon nu1 and nu3 vibrational excitations arises from an increase in OH stretch frequencies at the planar transition state, highlighting the transition between sp2 and sp3 hybridizations of the OHD bonds as a function of inversion bending angle.     

Photoinitiated predissociation of the NO dimer in the region of the second and third NO stretch overtones

Photofragment yield spectra and NO(X(2)Pi(1/2,3/2); v = 1, 2, 3) product vibrational, rotational, and spin-orbit state distributions were measured following NO dimer excitation in the 4000-7400 cm(-1) region in a molecular beam. Photofragment yield spectra were obtained by monitoring NO(X(2)Pi; v = 1, 2, 3) dissociation products via resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. New bands that include the symmetric nu(1) and asymmetric nu(5) NO stretch modes were observed and assigned as 3nu(5), 2nu(1) + nu(5), nu(1) + 3nu(5), and 3nu(1) + nu(5). Dissociation occurs primarily via Deltav = -1 processes with vibrational energy confined preferentially to one of the two NO fragments. The vibrationally excited fragments are born with less rotational energy than predicted statistically, and fragments formed via Deltav = -2 processes have a higher rotational temperature than those produced via Deltav = -1 processes. The rotational excitation likely derives from the transformation of low-lying bending and torsional vibrational levels in the dimer into product rotational states. The NO spin-orbit state distribution reveals a slight preference for the ground (2)Pi(1/2) state, and in analogy with previous results, it is suggested that the predominant channel is X(2)Pi(1/2) + X(2)Pi(3/2). It is suggested that the long-range potential in the N-N coordinate is the locus of nonadiabatic transitions to electronic states correlating with excited product spin-orbit states. No evidence of direct excitation to electronic states whose vertical energies lie in the investigated energy region is obtained.     

2-pyridone: The role of out-of-plane vibrations on the S1<-->S0 spectra and S1 state reactivity

The S(1)<-->S(0) vibronic spectra of supersonic jet-cooled 2-pyridone [pyridin-2-one (2PY)] and its N-H deuterated isotopomer (d-2PY) have been recorded by two-color resonant two-photon ionization, laser-induced fluorescence and emission, and fluorescence depletion spectroscopies. By combining these methods, the B origin of 2PY at 0(0) (0)+98 cm(-1) and the bands at +218 and +252 cm(-1) are identified as overtones of the S(1) state out-of-plane vibrations nu(1) (') and nu(2) ('), as are the analogous bands of d-2PY. Anharmonic double-minimum potentials are derived for the respective out-of-plane coordinates that predict further nu(1) (') and nu(2) (') overtones and combinations, reproducing approximately 80% of the vibronic bands up to 600 cm(-1) above the 0(0) (0) band. The fluorescence spectra excited at the electronic origins and the nu(1) (') and nu(2) (') out-of-plane overtone levels confirm these assignments. The S(1) nonplanar minima and S(1)<--S(0) out-of-plane progressions are in agreement with the determination of nonplanar vibrationally averaged geometries for the 0(0) (0) and 0(0) (0)+98 cm(-1) upper states by Held et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 95, 8732 (1991)]. The fluorescence lifetimes of the S(1) state vibrations show strong mode dependence: Those of the out-of-plane levels decrease rapidly above 200 cm(-1) excess vibrational energy, while the in-plane vibrations nu(5) ('), nu(8) ('), and nu(9) (') have longer lifetimes, although they are above or interspersed with the "dark" out-of-plane states. This is interpreted in terms of an S(1) (') state reaction with a low barrier towards a conical intersection with a prefulvenic geometry. Out-of-plane vibrational states can directly surmount this barrier, whereas in-plane vibrations are much less efficient in this respect. Analysis of the fluorescence spectra allows to identify nine in-plane S(0) (') state fundamentals, overtones of the S(0) state nu(1) (") and nu(2) (") out-of-plane vibrations, and >30 other overtones and combination bands. The B3LYP6-311++G(d,p) calculated anharmonic wave numbers are in very good agreement with the observed fundamentals, overtones, and combinations, with a deviation Delta(rms)=1.3%.     

Spectroscopic characterization of chromite from the Moa-Baracoa Ophiolitic Massif, Cuba

The Cuban chromites with a spinel structure, FeCr2O4 have been studied using optical absorption and EPR spectroscopy. The spectral features in the electronic spectra are used to map the octahedral and tetrahedral co-ordinated cations. Bands due Cr3+ and Fe3+ ions could be distinguished from UV-vis spectrum. Chromite spectrum shows two spin allowed bands at 17,390 and 23,810 cm(-1) due to Cr3+ in octahedral field and they are assigned to 4A2g(F) --> 4T2g(F) and 4A2g(F) --> 4T1g(F) transitions. This is in conformity with the broad resonance of Cr3+ observed from EPR spectrum at g = 1.903 and a weak signal at g = 3.861 confirms Fe3+ impurity in the mineral. Bands of Fe3+ ion in the optical spectrum at 13,700, 18,870 and 28,570 cm(-1) are attributed to 6A1g(S) --> 4T1g(G), 6A1g(S) --> 4T2g(G) and 6A1g(S) --> 4T2g(P) transitions, respectively. Near-IR reflectance spectroscopy has been used effectively to show intense absorption bands caused by electronic spin allowed d-d transitions of Fe2+ in tetrahedral symmetry, in the region 5000-4000 cm(-1). The high frequency region (7500-6500 cm(-1)) is attributed to the overtones of hydroxyl stretching modes. Correlation between Raman spectral features and mineral chemistry are used to interpret the Raman data. The Raman spectrum of chromite shows three bands in the CrO stretching region at 730, 560 and 445 cm(-1). The most intense peak at 730 cm(-1) is identified as symmetric stretching vibrational mode, A1g(nu1) and the other two minor peaks at 560 and 445 cm(-1) are assigned to F2g(nu4) and E(g)(nu2) modes, respectively. Cation substitution in chromite results various changes both in Raman and IR spectra. In the low-wavenumber region of Raman spectrum a significant band at 250 cm(-1) with a component at 218 cm(-1) is attributed F2g(nu3) mode. The minor peaks at 195, 175, 160 cm(-1) might be due to E(g) and F2g symmetries. Broadening of the peak of A1g mode and shifting of the peak to higher wavenumber observed as a result of increasing the proportion of Al3+O6. The presence of water in the mineral shows bands in the IR spectrum at 3550, 3425, 3295, 1630 and 1455 cm(-1). The vibrational spectrum of chromite gives raise to four frequencies at 985, 770, 710 and 650 cm(-1). The first two frequencies nu1 and nu2 are related to the lattice vibrations of octahedral groups. Due to the influence of tetrahedral bivalent cation, vibrational interactions occur between nu3 and nu4 and hence the low frequency bands, nu3 and nu4 correspond to complex vibrations involving both octahedral and tetrahedral cations simultaneously. Cr3+ in Cuban natural chromites has highest CFSE (20,868 cm(-1)) when compared to other oxide minerals.     

Assignment of rovibrational transitions of propyne in the region of 2934-2952 cm(-1) measured by two-color IR-vacuum ultraviolet laser photoion-photoelectron methods

The infrared (IR) spectrum of propyne in the region of 2934-2952 cm(-1) has been recorded by the IR-vacuum ultraviolet (VUV)-photoion method. The spectrum is shown to consist of two near-resonant, but noncoupled vibrational bands: the nu2 symmetric methyl C-H stretching vibrational band and a combination vibrational band nucs. The previously unobserved Q line of the nucs band is observed. The rotational transition lines of the nu2=1 band produces IR-VUV-pulsed field ionization-photoelectron (IR-VUV-PFI-PE) signal at the C3H4+ (nu2+=1) photoionization threshold. The rotational transition lines associated with the nucs band do not produce IR-VUV-PFI-PE signal. Rotational transition lines of both vibrational bands are assigned and simulated; and ab initio calculations further confirm the assignment.     

A two-color infrared-vacuum ultraviolet laser pulsed field ionization photoelectron study of NH3

We have observed fully rotationally resolved transitions of the photoelectron vibrational bands 2(4), 2(5), 1(1)2(1), and 1(1)2(3) for ammonia cation (NH3+) by two-color infrared (IR)-vacuum ultraviolet (VUV)- pulsed field-ionization photoelectron (PFI-PE) measurements. By preparing an intermediate rovibrational state of neutral NH(3) with a known parity by IR excitation followed by VUV-PFI-PE measurements, we show that the photoelectron parity can be determined unambiguously. The IR-VUV-PFI-PE measurement of the 2(4) band clearly reveals the formation of both even and odd l states for the photoelectrons, where l is the orbital angular momentum quantum number. This observation is consistent with the conclusion that the lack of inversion symmetry for NH3 and NH3+ allows odd/even l mixings, rendering the production of both odd and even l states for the photoelectrons. Evidence is also found, indicating that the photoionization transitions with DeltaK=0 are strongly favored compared to that with DeltaK=3. For the 2(5), 1(1)2(1), and 1(1)2(3) bands, only DeltaK=0 transitions for the production of even l photoelectron states from the J'K'=2(0) rotational level of NH3(nu1=1) are observed. The preferential formation of even l photoelectron states for these vibrational bands is attributed to the fact that the DeltaK=0 transitions for the formation of odd l photoelectron states from the 2(0) rotational level of NH3(nu1=1) are suppressed by the constraint of nuclear-spin statistics. In addition to information obtained on the photoionization dynamics of NH3, this experiment also provides a more precise value of 3232+/-10 cm-1 for the nu1+ (N-H stretch) vibrational frequency of NH3+.     

Study of NH stretching vibrations in small ammonia clusters by infrared spectroscopy in He droplets and ab initio calculations

Infrared spectra of the NH stretching vibrations of (NH3)n clusters (n = 2-4) have been obtained using the helium droplet isolation technique and first principles electronic structure anharmonic calculations. The measured spectra exhibit well-resolved bands, which have been assigned to the nu1, nu3, and 2nu4 modes of the ammonia fragments in the clusters. The formation of a hydrogen bond in ammonia dimers leads to an increase of the infrared intensity by about a factor of 4. In the larger clusters the infrared intensity per hydrogen bond is close to that found in dimers and approaches the value in the NH3 crystal. The intensity of the 2nu4 overtone band in the trimer and tetramer increases by a factor of 10 relative to that in the monomer and dimer, and is comparable to the intensity of the nu1 and nu3 fundamental bands in larger clusters. This indicates the onset of the strong anharmonic coupling of the 2nu4 and nu1 modes in larger clusters. The experimental assignments are compared to the ones obtained from first principles electronic structure anharmonic calculations for the dimer and trimer clusters. The anharmonic calculations were performed at the M?ller-Plesset (MP2) level of electronic structure theory and were based on a second-order perturbative evaluation of rovibrational parameters and their effects on the vibrational spectra and average structures. In general, there is excellent (<20 cm(-1)) agreement between the experimentally measured band origins for the N-H stretching frequencies and the calculated anharmonic vibrational frequencies. However, the calculations were found to overestimate the infrared intensities in clusters by about a factor of 4.     

Rotational and vibrational relaxation of methane excited to 2nu3 in CH4/H2 and CH4/He mixtures at 296 and 193 K from double-resonance measurements

A series of time-resolved IR-IR double-resonance experiments have been conducted where methane molecules are excited into a selected rovibrational level of the 2nu3(F2) vibrational substate of the tetradecad and where the time evolution of the population of the various energy levels is probed by a tunable continuous wave laser. The rotational relaxation and vibrational energy transfer processes occurring in methane upon inelastic CH4-H2 and CH4-He collisions have been investigated by this technique at room temperature and at 193 K. By probing transitions in which either the lower or the upper level is the laser-excited level, rotational depopulation rates in the 2nu3(F2) substate were measured. The rate constants for CH4-H2 collisions were found to be 17.7 +/- 2.0 and 18.9 +/- 2.0 micros(-1) Torr(-1) at 296 and 193 K, respectively, and for CH(4)-He collisions they are 12.1 +/- 1.5 and 16.0 +/- 2.0 micros(-1) Torr(-1) at the same temperatures. The vibrational relaxation was investigated by probing other stretching transitions such as 2nu3(F2) - nu3, nu3 + 2nu4 - 2nu4, and nu3 + nu4 - nu4. A kinetic model, taking into account the main collisional processes connecting energy levels up to 6000 cm(-1), that has been developed to describe the various relaxation pathways allowed us to calculate the temporal evolution of populations in these levels and to simulate double-resonance signals. The different rate coefficients of the vibrational relaxation processes involved in these mixtures were determined by fitting simulated signals to the observed signals corresponding to assigned transitions. For vibration to translation energy transfer processes, hydrogen is a much more efficient collision partner than helium, nitrogen, or methane itself at 193 K as well as at room temperature.     

Rovibrational energy transfer in the 4nu(CH) manifold of acetylene, viewed by IR-UV double-resonance spectroscopy. 4. Collision-induced quasi-continuous background effects

The 4nu(CH) rovibrational manifold around 12 700 cm(-1) in the electronic ground state, X, of acetylene (C2H2) is monitored by time-resolved infrared-ultraviolet double-resonance (IR-UV DR) spectroscopy. An IR laser pulse initially prepares rotational J states, associated with the "IR-bright" (nu1 + 3nu3) or (1 0 3 0 0)0 vibrational combination level, and subsequent collision-induced state-to-state energy transfer is probed by UV laser-induced fluorescence. Anharmonic, l-resonance, and Coriolis couplings affect the J states of interest, resulting in a congested rovibrational manifold that exhibits complex intramolecular dynamics. In preceding papers in this series, we have described three complementary forms of the IR-UV DR experiment (IR-scanned, UV-scanned, and kinetic) on collision-induced rovibrational satellites, comprising both regular even-DeltaJ features and unexpected odd-DeltaJ features. This paper examines an unusual collision-induced quasi-continuous background (CIQCB) effect that is apparently ubiquitous, accompanying regular even-DeltaJ rovibrational energy transfer and accounting for much of the observed collision-induced odd-DeltaJ satellite structure; certain IR-bright (1 0 3 0 0)0 rovibrational states (e.g., J = 12) are particularly prominent in this regard. We examine the mechanism of this CIQCB phenomenon in terms of a congested IR-dark rovibrational manifold that is populated by collisional transfer from the nearly isoenergetic IR-bright (1 0 3 0 0)0 submanifold.     

Identification and analysis of the perturbed c3Pi(v=1)-X 1Sigma+ and k 3Pi(v=5)-X 1Sigma+ absorption bands of carbon monoxide

Two new red-degraded bands in the room-temperature vacuum-ultraviolet absorption spectrum of carbon monoxide have been identified in the 94,000-94,500 cm(-1) energy region and analyzed. One of the bands at approximately 94,225 cm(-1) (106.1 nm) has three observable bandheads and is partially overlapped with the strong C 1Sigma+-X 1Sigma+ (1-0) transition at lower energy. It is assigned to the c 3Pi-X 1Sigma+ (1-0) transition. The other band at approximately 94,437 cm(-1) (105.9 nm) with one clear bandhead is assigned to the k 3Pi-X 1Sigma+ (5-0) transition. A strong homogeneous perturbation was found to exist between the two upper states that strongly influences the line positions and shapes of these bands. A rotational deperturbation analysis was performed and molecular rotational constants for both upper states were determined. These deperturbed molecular constants are entirely consistent with the expected values for the k 3Pi valence and c 3Pi Rydberg states. The Hamiltonian interaction term between these two states is found to be separable into vibrational and electronic factors and the electronic factor is determined to be H(e)=323+/-40 cm(-1). A discrepancy in the literature regarding the location of the c 3Pi (v=1) state is identified and discussed.