Potential energy surface and quantum dynamics study of rovibrational states for HO(3) (X (2)A')

An analytic potential energy surface has been constructed by fitting to about 28 thousand energy points for the electronic ground-state (X (2)A') of HO(3). The energy points are calculated using a hybrid density functional HCTH and a large basis set aug-cc-pVTZ, i.e., a HCTH/aug-cc-pVTZ density functional theory (DFT) method. The DFT calculations show that the trans-HO(3) isomer is the global minimum with a potential well depth of 9.94 kcal mol(-1) with respect to the OH + O(2) asymptote. The equilibrium geometry of the cis-HO(3) conformer is located 1.08 kcal mol(-1) above that of the trans-HO(3) one with an isomerization barrier of 2.41 kcal mol(-1) from trans- to cis-HO(3). By using this surface, a rigorous quantum dynamics (QD) study has been carried out for computing the rovibrational energy levels of HO(3). The calculated results determine a dissociation energy of 6.15 kcal mol(-1), which is in excellent agreement with the experimental value of Lester et al. [J. Phys. Chem. A, 2007, 111, 4727.].     

Characterization of the X2A1, A2B1, and X2Pi electronic states of the Ga2H molecule and the X2A' and A 2A" isomerization transition states connecting the three minima

A wide range of highly correlated ab initio methods has been used to predict the geometrical parameters of the linear (X (2)Pi) and H-bridged (X (2)A(1) and A (2)B(1)) Ga(2)H isomers and two isomerization transition states (X (2)A(') and A (2)A(")) connecting the three minima. Dipole moments and vibrational frequencies are also obtained. The global minimum X (2)A(1) ground state of the H-bridged GaHGa isomer is predicted to lie only 1.6 [1.9 with the zero-point vibrational energy (ZPVE) corrections] kcal mol(-1) below the A (2)B(1) state. The X (2)A(1) state lies 5.4 kcal mol(-1) below the X (2)Pi ground state of the linear GaGaH isomer at the coupled-cluster with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] level of theory with the augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple-zeta (aug-cc-pVQZ) basis set. The full triples coupled-cluster method is found to alter these CCSD(T) predictions by as much as 0.3 kcal mol(-1). The forward isomerization barriers from the linear ground state to the X (2)A(') and A (2)A(") transition states are determined to be 3.3 and 5.3 kcal mol(-1), respectively. The reverse isomerization barrier between the X (2)A(1) GaHGa structure and the X (2)Pi GaGaH structure is predicted to be 8.6 (8.2 with the ZPVE corrections) kcal mol(-1) at the aug-cc-pVQZ CCSD(T) level of theory.     

Theoretical study of the double Renner effect for A2Pi MgNC/MgCN: higher excited rovibrational states

The authors report here the implementation of a newly developed, highly efficient matrix diagonalization routine in the DR program [T. E. Odaka et al., J. Mol. Struct. 795, 14 (2006)]. The DR program solves the rovibronic Schrodinger equation for a triatomic molecule with a double Renner effect, i.e., with two accessible linear arrangements of the nuclei at which the electronic energy is doubly degenerate. With the new routines, the authors can extend the DR calculations of rovibronic energies for A 2Pi MgNC/MgCN by considering a much larger set of rovibronic states, in particular, states at higher J values, than the authors were able to access previously.     

Rotational state-dependent mixings between resonance states of vibrationally highly excited DCO (X2A')

Rotational state-dependent mixings between highly excited resonance states of DCO (X (2)A(')) were investigated by stimulated emission pumping spectroscopy via a series of intermediate rotational levels in the B (2)A(') electronic state of the radical. Two examples for such interactions, between pairs of accidentally nearly degenerate vibrational states at energies of E(v) approximately 6450 and E(v) approximately 10 060 cm(-1), respectively, were analyzed in detail. Deperturbations of the measured spectra provided the zeroth-order vibration-rotation term energies, widths, and rotational constants of the states and the absolute values of the vibrational coupling matrix elements. The coupled states turned out to have very different A rotational constants so that their mixings switch on or off as they are tuned relative to each other as function of the K(a) rotational quantum number. The respective zeroth-order states could be assigned to different interlaced vibrational polyads. Thus, when two states belonging to different polyads are accidentally nearly isoenergetic, even very weak interpolyad interactions may start to play important roles. The derived interpolyad coupling elements are small compared to the typical intrapolyad coupling terms so that their influences on the vibrational term energies are small. However, large effects on the widths (i.e., decay rates) of the states can be observed even from weak coupling terms when a narrow, long-lived state is perturbed by a broad, highly dissociative state. This influence contributes to the previously observed strong state-to-state fluctuations of the unimolecular decay rates of the DCO radical as function of vibrational excitation. Similar mechanisms are likely to promote the transition to "statistical" rates in many larger molecules.     

HN2(2A') electronic manifold. I. A global ab initio study of first two states

A detailed ab initio multireference configuration interaction calculation with a standard aug-cc-pVTZ basis set is reported for the 1(2)A' and 2(2)A' states of the title system. The aim is to establish the dissociation scheme of all channels, while revealing the 2(2)A'/3(2)A' seam of conical intersections consistent with the crossings in the diatomic fragments. An ab initio mapping of linear NNH and T-shaped and linear NHN loci of conical intersections is also reported, jointly with a discussion of the topological features associated to a newly reported 2(2)A'/3(2)A' crossing seam.     

A matrix isolation study of the C(s) symmetric OCNO(X 2A') radical

Here we report the first experimental detection of the C(s) symmetric nitroformyl radical, OCNO(X 2A') in a nitrogen-carbon dioxide matrix at 10 K using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The nu1 vibrational frequency was observed at 2113 cm(-1). This assignment was confirmed by follow-up experiments using isotopically labeled reactant molecules (15N, 18O, 13C). To synthesize this radical, we irradiated solid nitrogen-carbon dioxide ice mixtures with energetic electrons at 10 K. Suprathermal nitrogen atoms in their electronic ground and/or first electronically excited state were generated via the radiation induced degradation of molecular nitrogen; these atoms could then react with carbon dioxide to eventually yield the nitroformyl radical. We also investigated the kinetics of the formation of the nitroformyl radical and support the arguments with computations on the doublet and quartet OCNO potential energy surfaces (PESs).     

Absorption cross sections for the A 2A' (0,9(0),0) <-- X 2A' (0,0(1),0) band of the HCO radical

Absorption cross sections for the A 2A' (0,9(0),0) <-- X 2A' (0,0(1),0) band of HCO were determined at 295 K using pulsed laser photolysis combined with cavity ring-down spectroscopy. Formyl radicals (HCO) were produced from the reaction of atomic chlorine, generated by photolysis of Cl2 at 335 nm, with formaldehyde. The concentration of HCO was calibrated using two independent photochemical methods. The peak cross section of the P8 line was determined to be (1.98 +/- 0.36) x 10(-18) cm2, and the intensity of the entire band was normalized to this line. The quoted 2 sigma uncertainty includes estimated systematic errors. Comparisons to previously reported values of HCO cross sections in this band are discussed.     

The Renner—Teller effect and vibronically induced bands in the electronic spectrum of NCO

It is suggested that the forbidden, “parallel” bands in the ò Σ⁺ ? X?² Π system of NCO are a manifestation of a Renner—Teller interaction. The relative intensities of these bands are explicable when reference is made to the parameter Δg_L measured in microwave Zeeman experiments on the molecule in the X?² Π state.     

The diazocarbene (CNN) molecule: characterization of the X 3Sigma- and A 3Pi electronic states

The ground (X (3)Sigma(-)) and first excited triplet (A (3)Pi) electronic states of diazocarbene (CNN) have been investigated systematically starting from the self-consistent-field theory and proceeding to the coupled cluster with single, double, and full triple excitations (CCSDT) method with a wide range of basis sets. While the linear X (3)Sigma(-) ground state of CNN has a real degenerate bending vibrational frequency, the A (3)Pi state of CNN is subject to the Renner-Teller effect and presents two distinct real vibrational frequencies along the bending coordinate. The bending vibrational frequencies of the A (3)Pi state were evaluated via the equation-of-motion coupled cluster (EOM-CC) techniques. The significant sensitivity to level of theory in predicting the ground-state geometry, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and associated infrared intensities has been attributed to the fact that the reference wave function is strongly perturbed by the excitations of 1pi-->3pi followed by a spin flip. At the highest level of theory with the largest basis set, correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple zeta (cc-pVQZ) CCSDT, the classical X-A splitting (T(e) value) was predicted to be 68.5 kcal/mol (2.97 eV, 24 000 cm(-1)) and the quantum mechanical splitting (T(0) value) to be 69.7 kcal/mol (3.02 eV, 24 400 cm(-1)), which are in excellent agreement with the experimental T(0) values, 67.5-68.2 kcal/mol (2.93-2.96 eV, 23 600-23 900 cm(-1)). With the EOM-CCSD method the Renner parameter (epsilon) and averaged bending vibrational frequency (omega(2)) for the A (3)Pi state were evaluated to be epsilon=-0.118 and omega(2)=615 cm(-1), respectively. They are in fair agreement with the experimental values of epsilon=-0.07 and nu(2)=525 cm(-1).     

A quasiclassical trajectory study for the N(4S)+O2(X 3Sigmag-)-->NO(X 2Pi)+O(3P) reaction on the new 2A' and 4A' potential-energy surfaces

A quasiclassical trajectory study with the sixth-order explicit symplectic algorithm of the N(4S)+O2(X 3Sigmag-)-->NO(X 2Pi)+O(3P) atmospheric reaction has been performed by employing the new 2A' and 4A' potential-energy surfaces reported by Sayos et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 117, 670 (2002)]. For the translational temperature considered up to 10,000 K, the larger relative translational energy and the higher rovibrational levels of O2 molecule with respect to the previous works have been taken into account, and a clearer database about the character of the total reaction cross section has been presented in this work. The dependence of microscopic rate constants on the vibrational level of O2 molecule at T=3000, 5000, and 10,000 K has been exhibited, and we can see that the values of log10 k(T,v,J) vary almost linearly with the vibrational level of O2 molecule. The thermal rate constants at the translational temperature between 300 and 10,000 K have been evaluated and compared with the experimental and previous theoretical results. It is found that the thermal rate constants determined in this work have a better agreement with the experimental data and can provide a more valid theoretical reference at the translational temperature considered for the title reaction.     

Accurate ab initio potential energy surfaces for the 3A' and 3A' electronic states of the O(3P)+HBr system

In this work, we report the construction of potential energy surfaces for the (3)A(') and (3)A(') states of the system O((3)P) + HBr. These surfaces are based on extensive ab initio calculations employing the MRCI+Q/CBS+SO level of theory. The complete basis set energies were estimated from extrapolation of MRCI+Q/aug-cc-VnZ(-PP) (n = Q, 5) results and corrections due to spin-orbit effects obtained at the CASSCF/aug-cc-pVTZ(-PP) level of theory. These energies, calculated over a region of the configuration space relevant to the study of the reaction O((3)P) + HBr → OH + Br, were used to generate functions based on the many-body expansion. The three-body potentials were interpolated using the reproducing kernel Hilbert space method. The resulting surface for the (3)A(') electronic state contains van der Waals minima on the entrance and exit channels and a transition state 6.55 kcal/mol higher than the reactants. This barrier height was then scaled to reproduce the value of 5.01 kcal/mol, which was estimated from coupled cluster benchmark calculations performed to include high-order and core-valence correlation, as well as scalar relativistic effects. The (3)A(') surface was also scaled, based on the fact that in the collinear saddle point geometry these two electronic states are degenerate. The vibrationally adiabatic barrier heights are 3.44 kcal/mol for the (3)A(') and 4.16 kcal/mol for the (3)A(') state.     

An ab initio potential energy surface and vibrational states of MgH2(1(1)A')

A three-dimensional global potential energy surface for the ground electronic state of MgH(2) is constructed from more than 3000 ab initio points calculated using the internally contracted multireference configuration interaction method with the Davidson correction at the complete basis set limit. Low-lying vibrational energy levels of MgH(2) and MgD(2) are calculated using the Lanczos algorithm, and found to be in good agreement with known experimental band origins. The majority of the vibrational energy levels up to 8000 cm(-1) are assigned with normal mode quantum numbers. However, our results indicate a gradual transition from a normal mode regime for the stretching vibrations at low energies to a local mode regime near 7400 cm(-1), as evidenced by a decreasing energy gap between the (n(1),0,0) and (n(1)-1,0,1) vibrational states and bifurcation of the corresponding wave functions.     

The rotational spectrum of the NiI radical in the X 2Delta(5/2) and A 2Pi(3/2) states

The millimeter- and submillimeter-wave spectra of the NiI radical in the X (2)Delta(5/2) and A (2)Pi(3/2) states were observed by a source-modulated microwave spectrometer. The NiI radical was generated by a dc glow discharge in the mixture of CH(3)I vapor and Ar gas through the sputtering reaction with a Ni cathode. Observed transition frequencies for each electronic state were independently analyzed using a polynomial energy expression based on Hund's case (c) approximation. The deperturbed rotational constants were also estimated by the perturbation analysis including interaction terms between the ground state and the lowest excited state.     

The electronic spectrum of the C2P free radical and a Renner-Teller analysis of the 2Delta and X 2Pi electronic states

Subsequent to our spectroscopic detection of the C(2)X(X=P,As) free radicals [F. X. Sunahori et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 129, 9600 (2007)], we have studied the electronic spectrum of the (2)Delta(i)-X (2)Pi(r) system of the jet-cooled C(2)P free radical in the 490-630 nm region. The high-resolution laser-induced fluorescence spectrum of the two spin components of the 0(0) (0) band of (12)C(2)P has been recorded, and the rotational and spin-orbit coupling constants have been determined for both electronic states. The Renner-Teller effect has been observed in both the (2)Pi and the (2)Delta states, and the vibrational structure has been assigned. For the ground state, all of the observed levels up to 3500 cm(-1) were fitted with a standard Renner-Teller model. The excited (2)Delta state vibrational levels were successfully fitted using literature energy level expressions derived from perturbation theory, yielding vibrational and Renner-Teller parameters for both (12)C(2)P and (13)C(2)P. The molecular structure of C(2)P in the ground and excited states has also been estimated and compared to ab initio calculations and the geometries of similar molecules.     

Determination of the rate constant and product channels for the radical-radical reaction NCO(X 2Pi) + C2H5(X 2A') at 293 K

The rate constant and product branching ratios for the reaction of the cyanato radical, NCO(X (2)Pi), with the ethyl radical, C(2)H(5)(X (2)A'), have been measured over the pressure range of 0.28 to 0.59 kPa and at a temperature of 293 +/- 2 K. The total rate constant, k(1), increased with pressure, P(kPa), described by k(1) = (1.25 +/- 0.16) x 10(-10) + (4.22 +/- 0.35) x 10(-10)P cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). Three product channels were observed that were not pressure dependent: (1a) HNCO + C(2)H(4), k(1a) = (1.1 +/- 0.16) x 10(-10), (1b) HONC + C(2)H(4), k(1b) = (2.9 +/- 1.3) x 10(-11), (1c) HCN + C(2)H(4)O, k(1c) = (8.7 +/- 1.5) x 10(-13), with units cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and uncertainties of one-standard deviation in the scatter of the data. The pressure dependence was attributed to a forth channel, (1d), forming recombination products C(2)H(5)NCO and/or C(2)H(5)OCN, with pressure dependence: (1d) k(1d) = (0.090 +/- 1.3) x 10(-11) + (3.91 +/- 0.27) x 10(-10)P cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1). The radicals were generated by the 248 nm photolysis of ClNCO in an excess of C(2)H(6). Quantitative infrared time-resolved absorption spectrophotometry was used to follow the temporal dependence of the reactants and the appearance of the products. Five species were monitored, HCl, NCO, HCN, HNCO, and C(2)H(4), providing a detailed picture of the chemistry occurring in the system. Other rate constants were also measured: ClNCO + C(2)H(5), k(10) = (2.3 +/- 1.2) x 10(-13) , NCO + C(2)H(6), k(2) = (1.6 +/- 0.11) x 10(-14), NCO + C(4)H(10), k(4) = (5.3 +/- 0.51) x 10(-13), with units cm(3) molecule(-1) s(-1) and uncertainties of one-standard deviation in the scatter of the data.     

Electronic spectroscopy of the A1A' <-- X1A' system of CDF

To further investigate the Renner-Teller (RT) effect and barriers to linearity and dissociation in the simplest singlet carbene, we recorded fluorescence excitation spectra of bands involving the pure bending levels 2(n)(0) with n = 0-9 and the combination states 1(1)(0)2(n)(0) with n = 1-8 and 2(n)(0)3(1)(0) with n = 0-5 in the A(1)A'<-- X(1)A' system of CDF, in addition to some weak hot bands. The spectra were measured under jet-cooled conditions using a pulsed discharge source, and rotationally analyzed to yield precise values for the band origins and rotational constants; fluorescence lifetimes were also measured to probe for lifetime lengthening effects due to the RT interaction. The derived A state parameters are compared with previous results for CHF and with predictions of ab initio electronic structure theory. The approach to linearity in the A state is evidenced in a sharp increase in the A rotational constant with bending excitation, and a minimum in the vibrational intervals near 2(9). A fit of the vibrational intervals for the pure bending levels yields an A state barrier to linearity in good agreement both with that previously derived for CHF and ab initio predictions. From the spectra and lifetime measurements, the onset of extensive RT perturbations is found to occur at a higher energy than in CHF, consistent with the smaller A constant.     

Determination of the rate constants for the NCO(X2Pi) + Cl(2P) and Cl(2P) + ClNCO(X1A') reactions at 293 and 345 K

The rate constant for the reaction of the isocyanato radical, NCO(X2Pi) with chlorine atoms, Cl(2P), has been measured at 293 +/- 2 and 345 +/- 3 K to be (6.9 +/- 3.8) x 10(-11) and (4.0 +/- 2.2) x 10(-11) cm3 molecules(-1) s,(-1) respectively, where the uncertainties include both random and systematic errors. The measurements were carried out at pressures of 1.3-6.2 Torr with either Ar or CF4 as the bath gas and were independent of both pressure and nature of the third body. Equal concentrations of NCO and Cl atoms were created by 248 nm photolysis of ClNCO. The reaction was monitored by following the temporal dependence of NCO(X2Pi) using time-resolved infrared absorption spectroscopy on rotational transitions of the NCO(10(1)1) <-- (00(1)0) combination band. The reaction rate constant was determined by using a simple chemical model and minimizing the sum of the residuals between the experimental and computer generated temporal NCO concentration profiles. The reaction Cl + ClNCO --> Cl2 + NCO was found to contribute to the observed NCO. The rate constant for this reaction was found to be (2.4 +/- 1.6) x 10(-13) and (1.9 +/- 1.2) x 10(-13) cm3 molecules(-1) s,(-1) at 293 and 345 K, respectively, where the uncertainties include both random and systematic error.     

A realistic double many-body expansion potential energy surface for SO2(X1A') from a multiproperty fit to accurate ab initio energies and vibrational levels

A single-valued double many-body expansion potential energy surface (DMBE I) recently obtained for the ground electronic state of the sulfur dioxide molecule by fitting correlated ab initio energies suitably corrected by scaling the dynamical correlation energy is now refined by fitting simultaneously available spectroscopic levels up to 6886 cm(-1) above the minimum. The topographical features of the novel potential energy surface (DMBE II) are examined in detail, and the method is emphasized as a robust route to fit together state-of-the-art theoretical calculations and spectroscopic measurements using a single fully dimensional potential form.     

The structure of CX2YNO (X, Y=F, Cl) molecules in the ground and lowest excited singlet electronic states

Ab initio quantum-chemical calculations of equilibrium geometric parameters, vibrational frequencies, and potentials of internal rotation for CCIF₂NO and CCl₂FNO molecules in the ground (S₀) and lowest excited singlet (S₁) electronic states were performed. The results of calculations were compared with experimental data. A new interpretation of experimental spectra of the CCIF₂NO molecule was suggested. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 8, pp. 1453–1458, August, 1999.     

A dispersed fluorescence and ab initio investigation of the X2B1 and A2A1 electronic states of the PH2 molecule

In this work, the X2B1 and A2A1 electronic states of the phosphino (PH2) free radical have been studied by dispersed fluorescence and ab initio methods. PH2 molecules were produced in a molecular free-jet apparatus by laser vaporizing a silicon rod in the presence of phosphine (PH3) gas diluted in helium. The laser-induced fluorescence, from the excited A2A1 electronic state down to the ground electronic state, was dispersed and analyzed. Ten (upsilon1upsilon2upsilon3) vibrationally excited levels of the ground electronic state, with upsilon1 < or = 2, upsilon2 < or = 6, and upsilon3 = 0, have been observed. Ab initio potential-energy surfaces for the X2B1 and A2A1 electronic states have been calculated at 210 points. These two states correlate with a 2Pi(u) state at linearity and they interact by the Renner-Teller coupling and spin-orbit coupling. Using the ab initio potential-energy surfaces with our RENNER computer program system, the vibronic structure and relative intensities of the A2A1 --> X2B1 emission band system have been calculated in order to corroborate the experimental assignments.