Collision spectroscopy with aligned and oriented atoms

Neutralisation processes in 0.15–1.5 keV collisions of H^? with Na atoms in the 3s ground state or in the excited 3p state have been investigated by means of time-of-flight analysis of the neutral H atoms produced. The H^? - Na(3p) system, investigated here for the first time, is particularly interesting since the entrance channel is embedded in the [H - Na(3s)] +e ^? continuum, enabling Penning detachment to occur. The measured relative neutralisation cross section ratios σ(3p)/σ(3s) decrease from 3 to 1.6 with increasing energy. Based on earlier published results for σ(3s), σ(3p) total cross sections exceeding 100 Ų are estimated.     

Calculation of the photo-electrons angular distribution asymmetry parameter β2p near the (3s3p)1 P resonance of He*

Near the (3s3p)¹ P resonance of He, we have calculated the photoelectrons angular distribution asymmetry parameter β_2p in the diagonalization approximation. Using the measured value of β _n=2 near the (3s3p)¹ P level obtained by Lindle et al. in the resonance photo-ionization of He to He^?(n=2), we have estimated the ratioR=σ_2p /σ_2s of the partial 2p photo-ionization cross section to the partial 2s photo-ionization cross section. Our calculation supports the result that in the resonance region, the formation of ions in the 2p level dominates over the 2s level. This is in good agreement with the experimental and most of the theoretical results reported to date.     

Polarization studies of Lyman-α radiation emitted in atom-H2-molecule collisions

A polarization study of Lyman-α radiation emitted in collisions of H⁺, H, He⁺, and He projectiles with H₂ molecules has been performed at projectile energies ranging from 1–25 keV. In H⁺?H₂ and H?H₂ collisions, the measured linear polarization is negative at low incident velocities, indicating a preferred alignment of the excited electron charge cloud perpendicular to the incident projectile direction. This is taken as significance for a rotational coupling which in these two collision systems predominantly populates the H(2p _±1) substates. In He⁺?H₂ and He?H₂ collisions, the measured linear polarization is about zero and independent of the projectile energy. In these more asymmetric systems,a′?a′ and a′?a″ couplings are now of comparable magnitude.     

Coherent excitation of H(n=2) in H+, H - He collisions

The coherent excitation of H(n=2) in H⁺, H - He collisions was investigated at incident energies of 5–25 keV. From a polarization analysis of the emitted Lyman-α radiation as a function of an external electric field, the partial cross sections for excitation to the H(2s) and the H(2p _m) magnetic substates and the real part of thes ?p ₀-coherence were extracted. For H⁺-He collisions, the measured partial cross sections are in fair agreement with previous two-electron calculations by Kimura and Lin; the agreement with one-electron calculations of Jain et al. is, particularly at the lower incident energies, less satisfactory. For both collision systems, an energy-dependent forward-backward asymmetry corresponding to a shift of the center-of-charge relative to the center-of-mass (dipole moment) was observed. In H⁺ - He collisions, the measured dipole moment was positive; it thus corresponds to an electron trailing behind the proton. The same analysis applied to the H - He system showed the electron riding in front of the proton.     

Angular momentum coherences of helium atoms excited by proton impact

Using electric-field anticrossing techniques, we investigated the coherent excitation ofn=5–8 He I states with different orbital angular momenta by proton impact. These measurements give strong evidence that saddle dynamics of H ₂ ⁺ -like systems are well suited for describing the final phase of 12.5 keV H⁺-He collisions. We conclude that, besides electron promotion via the 2pσ orbital, the collision system undergoes diabatic 1sσ–3dσ transitions during the close encounter and present an explanation of the electric dipole moments measured for excitation of H(n=2) states by H⁺-He and H-He collisions.     

Symmetry of the dissociation of hydrogen: angular dependence of the doppler profile of the excited hydrogen atom (n = 4) produced in e-H2 collisions

The angular dependence of the Doppler profile of the Balmer-β line indicates that the asymmetry parameter, b, is positive and the polarization of the electric vector, J_p, is 0.7 ± 0.1 for the formation of H¹(n=4) from H₂. Thus, H¹(n=4) is produced in a parallel transition, and the transition moment of H¹ lies along the dissociation axis. This result suggests that the intermediate states for the fast and anisotropic H¹(n=4) atoms should be of the type ¹Σ⁺_u(2pσ_u)(n/σ_g).     

Structure of aminonitrones and electronic effect of substituents on their acid-base properties

A series of para-substituted aromatic aminonitrones p-RC₆H₄C(NH₂)=N⁺(Me)O^– (R = NMe₂, H, Br, Cl, CF₃) have been prepared. Acidity constants of the conjugate acids RC₆H₄C(NH₂)N⁺(Me)OH at 25°C in a EtOH–H₂O mixture (5: 95) have been determined by potentiometric titration. A linear correlation between log (k_R/k_H) and σ_para values has been revealed, and a ρ²⁹⁸(σ_para) parameter has been determined as of 0.635.     

CO inner-shell excitation studied by electron impact spectroscopy

The inner-shell excitation and decay of the CO molecule have been studied in electron impact experiments. The dipole-forbidden transition (1sσ_c)⁻¹(2pπ) ³Π has been characterized by angular resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy and its decay via the measurement of resonant Auger spectra. The contribution of the (1sσ_c)⁻¹(2pπ) ³Π state to the CO resonant Auger spectrum in the region of the “spectator transitions” has been isolated and the population of CO⁺ quartet final states has been observed.     

Mesogens based on palladium orthometallated complexes with carboxylato bridges: tuning and shaping a non-planar molecule

The binuclear cyclopalladated compounds [Pd₂(μ-OH)₂(Lⁿ)₂] (1) derived from imines HLⁿ = p-C_nH_2n + 1O-C₆H₄-CHN-C₆H₄-OC_nH_2n + 1-p (n = 6,10) react with carboxylic acids to give the derivatives [Pd₂(μ-ox)₂(Lⁿ)₂] (2) with a planar core for oxalic acid, and [Pd₂(μ-OOCR)₂(Lⁿ)₂] (3-7) compounds with a non-planar ridge tent structure for other RCOOH acids: (3) R = C_mH_2m + 1 (m = 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17); (4) R = CH₂(OCH₂CH₂)_pOCH₃ (p = 1, 2); (5) R = CH₂-C₆H₄-OC_qH_2q + 1-p (q = 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12); (6) R = C₆H₄-OC_rH_2r + 1-p (r = 4, 10); (7) R = C*H(OH)CH₃. The acids used were designed to explore the effect on the thermal properties of the compounds prepared of systematic variations in the type of carboxylato ligand, which induce structure, packing, and polarity changes, and in the length of the carboxylato chain. Most of the complexes prepared, even when far from planar, show liquid crystal behavior and display nematic, smectic A and smectic C phases.     

Structures of Stoichiometric Sodium Oxide Cluster Cations Studied by Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry

Structures of stable compositions of sodium oxide cluster cations (Na_nO_m⁺,n≤11) have been investigated by ion mobility mass spectrometry. Stoichiometric compositions series, Na(Na₂O)_(n-1)/2⁺ (n=3, 5, 7, 9, and 11), were observed as stable composition series, and NaO(Na₂O)_(n-1)/2⁺ series (n=5, 7, 9, and 11) were observed as secondary stable series in the mass spectra. To assign the structures of these cluster ion series, collision cross sections between the ions and helium buffer gas were determined experimentally from the ion mobility measurements. Theoretical collision cross sections were also calculated for optimized structures of these compositions. Finally, the structures of Na(Na₂O)_(n-1)/2⁺ and NaO(Na₂O)_(n-1)/2⁺ were assigned to those having similar structural frames for each n except for n=9. All bonds in the assigned structures of Na(Na₂O)_(n-1)/2⁺ were between sodium and oxygen. On the other hand, there was one O-O bond in addition to Na-O bonds in NaO(Na₂O)_(n-1)/2⁺. This result indicates that NaO(Na₂O)_(n-1)/2⁺ have a peroxide ion (O₂^2-) as a substitute for an oxide ion (O^2-) of Na(Na₂O)_(n-1)/2⁺. As a result, both stable series, Na(Na₂O)_(n-1)/2⁺ and NaO(Na₂O)_(n-1)/2⁺, are closed-shell compositions. These closed-shell characteristics have a strong influence on the stability of sodium oxide cluster cations.     

Analytical photoion spectroscopy applied to dissociative single and double photoionization of diatomic molecules (H2, N2, O2, CO,and NO)

This work reports the principle, advantage, and limitations of analytical photoion spectroscopy which has been applied to dissociative photoionization processes for diatomic molecules such as H₂, N₂, CO, and NO. Characteristic features observed in the differential photoion spectra are summarized with a focus on (pre)dissociation of(i) multielectron excitation states commonly observed in the inner valence regions,(ii) shape resonances, and(iii) doubly charged parent ions. Possible origins for negative peaks in the differential spectra are discussed. This spectroscopy is applied to the reported photoion branching ratios for D₂ (and H₂ at high energies). The main findings are as follows: (1) The direct dissociation of theX ²Σ _g ⁺ (1sσ _g ) state of D ₂ ⁺ , the two-electron excited state¹Σ _u ⁺ (2pσ _u 2sσ _g ) of D₂, and the²Σ _u ⁺ (2pσ _u ) state of D ₂ ⁺ appear clearly in the differential spectrum, as previously observed for H₂. (2) Decay of H ₂ ⁺ (D ₂ ⁺ ) to H⁺ (D⁺) above 38 eV is due to the direct dissociation of highly excited states of H ₂ ⁺ (D ₂ ⁺ ) such as the²Σ _g ⁺ (2sσ _g ) and high-lying Rydberg states converging on H ₂ ²⁺ (D ₂ ²⁺ ). (3) In the ionization continuum of H ₂ ²⁺ (D ₂ ²⁺ ) peculiar dissociation pathways are observed. The differential photoion spectra for O₂ derived from the reported photoion branching ratios are also presented. The (pre)dissociation of theb ⁴Σ _g ^? ,B ²Σ _g ^? , III²Π _u ,²Σ _u ^? , and^2,4Σ _g ^? states of O ₂ ⁺ appears as the corresponding positive values in the spectra in accord with previous observations. Some other dissociation pathways possibly contributing to the spectra are discussed including dissociative double ionization.     

Alignment of double vacancy states (1s2p)−1 3 P and1 P of neon for electron impact ionization

From intensity of Auger transitions (1s2p)^{?1 1} P,³ P→2p ^{?3 2} P,² D+e _A ^? relative to 1s ^{?1 2} S→2p ^{?2 1} D+e _A ^? measured at ?=54 and 90° relative to the primary electron beam we have determined the alignment of double vacancy states (1s 2p)^{?1 1} P and³ P of neon for electron impact ionization for the impact energies 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 4.0 keV. ForE ₀=1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 keV the alignment is compatible with zero with an upper limit of , forE ₀=4.0 keV a small negative value was found.     

The role of an initial Na(3p) state alignment in 1 keV H++Na(3p)→H(2p)+Na+ collisions

Charge exchange in 1 keV H⁺+Na→H(2p)+Na⁺ is studied in a Lyman-α scattered particle coincidence experiment. An initial Na(3p) state is prepared by laser-optical pumping; its alignment is controlled by the laser light polarization. The results are compared to a 34 coupled-channels calculation (R. Shingal), and discussed on the basis of an asymptotic model of the charge exchange process.     

Electron affinity and substituent effects in radical anions

The first vertical electron affinities EA of 13 series of molecules and free radicals D(X _i ) _n are related to the inductive (σ _I ), resonance (σ _R ^? ), and polarization (σ_α) parameters of substituents X _i by the dependences EA = EA _H + aΣσ _I + bΣσ _R/? + cΣσ_α: In radical anions D^+·(X _i ) _n , compared to radical cations D^+·(X _i ) _n , the polarization interaction is weaker or similar in magnitude but has an opposite sign. The previously unknown resonance parameters σ _R ^? of substituents SiMe₃ and CH₂SiMe₃ bound to the radical anion center H₂C=CH^?· were calculated.     

Photooxidation of Tryptophan: O2(1Δg) versus Electron-Transfer Pathway

Abstract— Tris (2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)chloride hexahydrate (Ru[bpy]₃²+) free in solution and adsorbed onto antimony-doped SnO₂ colloidal particles was used as a photosensitizer for a comparison of the O₂(¹Δ_g) and electron-transfer-mediated photooxidation of tryptophan (TRP), respectively. Quenching of excited Ru(bpy)₃²+ by O₂(³σ_g^?) in an aerated aqueous solution leads only to the formation of O₂(¹Δ_g) (φ₄= 0.18) and this compound was used as a type II photosensitizer. Excitation of Ru(bpy)₃²+ adsorbed onto Sb/SnO₂ results in a fast injection of an electron into the conduction band of the semiconductor and accordingly to the formation of Ru(bpy)₃²+ and was used for the sensitization of the electron-transfer-mediated photooxidation. The Ru(bpy)₃³+ is reduced by TRP with a bimolecular rate constant k_Q= 5.9 × 10⁸M^?1 s^?1, while O₂(¹Δ_g) is quenched by TRP with k_t= 7.1 × 10⁷M^?1 s^?1 (chemical + physical quenching). Relative rate constants for the photooxidation of TRP (k_c) via both pathways were determined using fluorescence emission spectroscopy. With N_p, the rate of photons absorbed, being constant for both pathways we obtained k_c= (372/N_p) M^?1 s^?1 for the O₂(¹Δ_g) pathway and k_c≥ (25013/N_p) M^?1 s^?1 for the electron-transfer pathway, respectively. Thus the photooxidation of Trp is more than two orders of magnitude more efficient when it is initiated by electron transfer than when initiated by O₂(¹Δ_g).     

Kinetics of isopropanol decomposition and reaction with H atoms from shock tube experiments and rate constant optimization using the method of uncertainty minimization using polynomial chaos expansions (MUM‐PCE)

We have used the single‐pulse shock tube technique with postshock GC/MS product analysis to investigate the mechanism and kinetics of the unimolecular decomposition of isopropanol, a potential biofuel, and of its reaction with H atoms at 918‐1212 K and 183‐484 kPa. Experiments employed dilute mixtures in argon of isopropanol, a radical scavenger, and, for H‐atom studies, two different thermal precursors of H. Without an added H source, isopropanol decomposes in our studies predominantly by molecular dehydration. Added H atoms significantly augment decomposition, mainly by abstraction of the tertiary and primary hydrogens, reactions that, respectively, lead to acetone and propene as stable organic products. Traces of acetaldehyde were observed in some experiments above ≈ 1100 K and establish branching limits for minor decomposition pathways. To quantitatively account for secondary chemistry and optimize rate constants of interest, we employed the method of uncertainty minimization using polynomial chaos expansions (MUM‐PCE) to carry out a unified analysis of all datasets using a chemical model–based originally on JetSurF 2.0. We find: k(isopropanol → propene + H₂O) = 10^{(13.87 ± 0.69)} exp(?(33 099 ± 979) K/ T) s^?1 at 979‐1212 K and 286‐484 kPa, with a factor of two uncertainty (2σ), including systematic errors. For H atom reactions, optimization yields: k(H + isopropanol → H₂ + p‐C₃H₆OH) = 10^{(6.25 ± 0.42)} T^2.54 exp(?(3993 ± 1028) K /T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 and k(H + isopropanol → H₂ + t‐C₃H₆OH) = 10^{(5.83 ± 0.37)} T^2.40 exp(?(1507 ± 957) K /T) cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 at 918‐1142 K and 183‐323 kPa. We compare our measured rate constants with estimates used in current combustion models and discuss how hydrocarbon functionalization with an OH group affects H abstraction rates.     

Dielectronic recombination of lithium-like Ar15+

Dielectronic recombination (DR) of Ar¹⁵⁺(1s ²2s) ions was studied in a single-pass merged-beams experiment at the UNILAC (universal linear accelerator) of GSI. Absolute recombination rates and cross sections were measured for electron-ion center-of-mass energies from 0 to 580 eV. A number of Rydberg states formed by DR with 2s → 2p (Δn=0) and 2s → 3? (Δn=1) core excitations and even individual terms in the 1s ²3?3?′ configuration could be resolved. Theoretical calculations of DR cross sections are in good overall agreement with the data. In the calculations for Δn=0 transitions, effects of electric fields have to be included to reproduce the magnitude of the measured DR rates at the limit of the 2 _{p 1/2}? and 2 _{p 3/2}? Rydberg series. Discrepancies between theory and experiment are observed at the series limits of the (1s ²3?n?′) Rydberg series.     

Observations of magic numbers in gas phase hydrates of alkylammonium ions

Hydration of alkylammonium ions under nonanalytical electrospray ionization conditions has been found to yield cluster ions with more than 20 water molecules associated with the central ion. These cluster ion species are taken to be an approximation of the conditions in liquid water. Many of the alkylammonium cation mass spectra exhibit water cluster numbers that appear to be particularly favorable, i.e., “magic number clusters” (MNC). We have found MNC in hydrates of mono- and tetra-alkyl ammonium ions, NH₃(C _m H_2m+1)⁺(H₂O) _n , m=1–8 and N(C _m H_2m+1) ₄ ⁺ (H₂O) _n , m=2–8. In contrast, NH₂(CH₃) ₂ ⁺ (H₂O) _n , NH(CH₃) ₃ ⁺ (H₂O) _n1 and N(CH₃) ₄ ⁺ (H₂O) _n do not exhibit any MNC. We conjecture that the structures of these magic number clusters correspond to exohedral structures in which the ion is situated on the surface of the water cage in contrast to the widely accepted caged ion structures of H₃O⁺(H₂O) _n and NH ₄ ⁺ (H₂O) _n .     

Substituent Effects on π‐Bond Delocalization of Fulvenes and Fulvalenes. Are Fulvenes Aromatic?

The influence of exocyclic substituents on π‐delocalization of pentafulvenes 2 , heptafulvenes 3 , and nonafulvenes 4 has been investigated. Pentafulvenes 2 : Changes of bond lengths (induced by exocyclic substituents R¹ and R² of 2 ) are reflected by systematic changes of ³J(H,H) (Fig. 2) as well as of ¹J(C,C) coupling constants (Fig. 4), so that linear correlations of σ_p⁺ vs. ³J(H,H) and ¹J(C,C) coupling constants were obtained. Plots of that type are very useful for determining the extent of π‐delocalization of various pentafulvalenes 5 – 8 (Figs. 6 and 12). Charge density effects of pentafulvenes and pentafulvalenes were observed by substituent‐induced shifts of the ring C‐atoms (Fig. 5). Heptafulvenes 3 : Contrary to planar pentafulvenes, heptafulvenes did not show any linear correlations of σ_p⁺ vs. ³J(H,H)‐plots (Fig. 8) or σ_p⁺ vs. δ(¹³C)‐plots (Fig. 9), although substituents R¹, R² clearly influenced ³J(H,H)‐coupling constants as well as ¹³C chemical shifts of the ring H‐atoms and ring C‐atoms. In the NMR spectra of ‘heptafulvenes with inverse ring polarization’ (in the lower range of Fig. 8), ³J(H,H)‐coupling constants were strongly alternating and were barely influenced by exocyclic substituents. This supported a boat conformation of the corresponding heptafulvenes. In the range of Hammett σ_p⁺‐values above ?0.5 to 0, strong substituent effects started to be effective, and a nearly linear approach of ³J(H,H)‐coupling constants J(2,3)/J(4,5) and J(3,4) was observed. This meant that, as soon as heptafulvenes were planar or nearly planar, there existed similar substituent effects as for planar pentafulvenes. – A similar ‘turning point’ was observed in plots of σ_p⁺ vs. ¹³C‐chemical shifts around σ_p⁺=0 (Fig. 9): In the range of strong electron‐accepting groups (above σ_p⁺=1), there was a marked substituent‐induced high‐frequency shift which strongly decreased in the series C(7)>C(2)/C(5)>C(3)/C(4), while C(1)/C(6) was barely influenced. Nonafulvenes 4 : Most nonafulvenes are non‐planar olefins with strongly alternating vicinal H,H‐coupling constants. This has been convincingly shown by the high‐resolution ¹H‐NMR spectrum of 10‐dimethylaminononafulvene ( 4c , Fig. 10), which was not planar but contained a nearly planar (E)‐dienamine substructure of the segment C(7)?C(8)? C(9)?C(10)? NMe₂ according to the NMR data. Only with very strong π‐donors (like two dimethylamino groups in 4b ), planarization of the nine‐membered ring could be observed at low temperatures (Fig. 10). Finally, the first stable nonatriafulvalene (11,12‐bis(diethylamino)nonatriafulvalene ( 10 )) existed in the planar dipolar form in the whole temperature range and even in unpolar solvents.