On the controversial assignment of the ionization potentials of formaldehyde

The Hartree-Fock calculations and the SCF Xα scattered-wave method using overlapping spheres predict a different ordering of the ionization potentials of formaldehyde. To clarify the problem a Green's function approach including many-body effects is used. The calculated ionization potentials as well as the vibrational structure of the bands agree well with experiment. We conclude the Hartree-Fock assignment to be the correct one.     

A precise determination of the first ionization potential of benzene

The first ionization potentials of benzene and benzene-d₆ have been precisely determined by the extrapolation of three-photon resonant Rydberg states in the four-photon ionization spectrum of the jet-cooled molecule. The convergence of resolved transitions in two Rydberg series for principal quantum numbers as high as 14 (-h₆) and 15 (-d₆) establish adiabatic thtesholds of 74573.0 ± 2.0 cm^?1, and 74592.5 = ± 1.2 cm^?1, respectively. These results are crucial for the understanding of the many excited states of benzene in terms of quantum defect theory. Precise quantum defects have been obtained for several Rydberg series and their variation with principal quantum number is reported. The results strongly suggest that the R? series of Wilkinson is derived from aπ(e_1g)→ nf±1 Rydberg excitation.     

Polarization and assignment of the two-photon excitation spectrum of benzene vapor

The two-photon excitation (TPE) of benzene fluorescence in the vapor phase at 60 torr is reported for the total-energy region from 38 086 cm^?1 to 42 441 cm^?1 using both circular and linear polarized light from a nitrogen-pumped dye-laser. The theory of the polarization dependence of the vibronic transitions in benzene is briefly reviewed, and it is seen how transitions involving vibrations of b_1u symmetry are expressly forbidden for this type of TPE experiment in which the two photons are identical. Five vibronic origins with distinctive rotational contours and polarization dependence are identified in the TPE spectrum. The υ₁₄(b_2u) vibronic origin at 1570 cm^?1 (above the electronic origin of the ^IB_2u state) stands out very prominently in the linear polarized spectrum, but nearly disappears in the circular polarized spectrum. This striking polarization dependence indicates a significant contribution of A_2u electronic states to the intermediate states of this TPE vibronic transition. The relatively great strength of the υ₁₄ band may be due to vibronic borrowing by the b_2u mode from the ground electronic state (A_1g).     

Revision of the second ionization energy of toluene

Charge stripping (CS) of the molecular ion of toluene, C(7)H(8) (+)-->C(7)H(8) (2+)+e, is often used as a reference for the determination of second ionization energies in energy-resolved CS experiments. For calibration of the kinetic energy scale, a value of IE(C(7)H(8) (+))=(15.7+/-0.2) eV derived from the appearance energy of the toluene dication upon electron ionization has been accepted generally. Triggered by some recent discrepancies between CS measurements on the one hand and different experimental methods as well as theoretical predictions on the other, we have reinvestigated the photon-induced double ionization of toluene using synchrotron radiation. These photoionization measurements yield phenomenological appearance energies of AE(C(7)H(8) (+))=(8.81+/-0.03) eV for the monocation and AE(C(7)H(8) (2+))=(23.81+/-0.06) eV for the dication. The former is in good agreement with a much more precise spectroscopic value, IE(C(7)H(8))=(8.8276+/-0.0006) eV. Explicit consideration of the Franck-Condon envelopes associated with photoionization to the dication in conjunction with the application of the Wannier law leads to an adiabatic ionization energy IE(a)(C(7)H(8) (+))=(14.8+/-0.1) eV, which is as much as 0.9 eV lower than the previous value derived from electron ionization. Because in many previous CS measurements the transition C(7)H(8) (+)-->C(7)H(8) (2+)+e was used as a reference, the energetics of several gaseous dications might need some readjustment.     

The assignment of the benzene first-ionization rydberg spectrum via J-T splittings involving linearly inactive modes

In this paper we report the first identification of a Jahn-Teller (J-T) splitting (≈ 160 cm^?1) arising via quadratic vibronic coupling in a mode which is non-active in the linear J-T coupling. This splitting has been detected in the hot-band structure of the out-of-plane mode v₂₀(e_2u) in the Rydberg spectrum of benzene converging to the first ionization limit. This observation enables us to resolve the long-standing controversy with respect to the assignment of the relevant Rydberg spectrum.     

Dissociative ionization of 1,4-bis(2,5-phenyloxazolyl)benzene

Dissociative ionization of 1,4-bis(2,5-phenyloxazolyl)benzene (POPOP) molecule by electron impact in gaseous phase is studied. Potentials of appearance of some fragments of the molecule under study are determined from the experimentally measured dependences of ionization cross-section on the ionizing electron energy. A new ion with m/z = 144 [C₉H₆ON]⁺ is detected in the mass spectrum of the POPOP molecule, being complementary to the fragment with m/z = 220 [C₁₅H₁₀ON]⁺. The threshold of appearance of this ion is determined (E_ap = 9.51 eV) as well as the first ionization potential of the POPOP molecule and fragment ion appearance potentials.     

Automated molecular weight assignment of electrospray ionization mass spectra.

Process improvements in the synthesis of therapeutic agents and their intermediates are often facilitated by identification of reaction by-products. Analysis by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with electrospray ionization is a powerful approach for obtaining molecular weight information for these compounds. Such analyses are well suited for 'open-access' mass spectrometry using generic chromatographic conditions, provided spectral interpretation for unknown compounds is facile. We have developed a software application (MassAssign) that facilitates automated data processing and molecular weight assignment for chromatographic peaks detected by any standard ultraviolet-visible wavelength detector. The program assigns [M + H](+) ions (and thus molecular weight) in the mass spectra using predetermined criteria. This evaluation process differentiates [M + H](+) ions from other signals in a complex mass spectrum such as those resulting from chromatographic coelution or the presence of multiple species (i.e., fragment ions, singly charged ions, doubly charged ions, adduct ions, proton-bound dimers, etc.). Once the program has evaluated all ions in a mass spectrum that exceed a preset abundance threshold, MassAssign reports either a numeric value-indicating the chromatographic peak consists of a single component having the displayed molecular weight, 'MC'-indicating the peak consisted of multiple components, or 'ND'-that a molecular weight could not be determined unequivocally. The performance of the program was evaluated by comparing mass assignments made by MassAssign against manual interpretation for 55 samples analyzed by positive electrospray ionization using a generic HPLC method. Correct molecular weight assignments were obtained in 90% of the cases.     

Heuristic charge assignment for deconvolution of electrospray ionization mass spectra

We propose a new algorithm for deconvolution of electrospray ionization mass spectra based on direct assignment of charge to the measured signal at each mass-to-charge ratio (m/z). We investigate two heuristics for charge assignment: the entropy-based heuristic is adapted from a deconvolution algorithm by Reinhold and Reinhold;10 the multiplicative-correlation heuristic is adapted from the multiplicative-correlation deconvolution algorithm of Hagen and Monnig.6 The entropy-based heuristic is insensitive to overestimates of z(max), the maximum ion charge. We test the deconvolution algorithm on two single-component samples: the measured spectrum of human beta-endorphin has two prominent and one very weak line whereas myoglobin has a well-developed quasi-gaussian envelope of 17 peaks. In both cases, the deconvolution algorithm gives a clean deconvoluted spectrum with one dominant peak and very few artefacts. The relative heights of the peaks due to the parent molecules in the deconvoluted spectrum of a mixture of two peptides, which are expected to ionize with equal efficiency, give an accurate measure of their relative concentration in the sample.     

The assignment of the ionization potentials of formaldehyde by an (e, 2e) experiment

The angular variation of the binding energy spectrum in an electron-electron coincidence experiment indicates that the third and fourth ionization potentials of formaldehyde are due to the 5a₁ and 1b₂ orbitals respectively. The vertical ionization potentials of the 4a₁ and 5a₁ orbitals are found to be 21.15 ± 0.15 and 34.2 ± 0.2 eV respectively.     

Reduction of methylene blue during the ionization process

Methylene blue is readily reduced during the process of ionization in methods as diverse as electron ionization, direct exposure probe electron ionization, direct exposure probe chemical ionization, solid sample secondary ion mass spectrometry, liquid sample secondary ion mass spectrometry and fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry. The reduction of methylene blue need not initially involve the abstraction of hydrogen from the solvent present in the latter two methods.     

Thermodynamic ionization energies and charge transfer reactions in benzene and substituted benzenes

Ionization energies of 11 substituted benzenes of CS₂ related to the ionization energy of benzene were obtained by measurements of the charge exchange equilibrium constants for C₆H₅X⁺ + C₆H₅Y ? C₆H₅Y⁺ + C₆H₅X at 450 and K. Thermodynamic ionization energies of substituted benzenes, related to that of benzene, are found to be higher by 0.5–2.0 kcal/mole than the corresponding photoionization (0—0) values. Exothermic charge transfer reactions between substituted benzenes are found to proceed with rate constants of (1.3–1.6) × 10^?9 cm³/mol s, which agree well with calculated collision rates.     

Reactions of iodine atoms activated by L shell photoelectric ionization in liquid benzene

Solutions of I₂ in C₆H₆ were irradiated with X-rays, in the energy range from 4.6 to 8.0 keV, thus including the characteristic X-ray of Cr /5.412 keV/, just above the L-absorption edge for iodine /5.118 keV/. Yield of iodobenzene and the organic yield of iodine were investigated as a function of I₂ concentration and of the absorbed radiation dose. It is found that the formation of iodobenzene, which was the only product detected, is due to the Auger activation of iodine atoms, and not to the radiolytic decomposition of benzene molecules from direct interaction of X-rays.     

电喷雾离子源中样品离子化能量转移理论的初探

电喷雾离子源（electrospray ionization,ESI）不仅可以用于小分子的检测,也能够用于蛋白质、多肽等大分子的研究。本文通过对离子化过程的系统分析,提出了基于能量最低原理的离子化过程能量转移理论。样品分子在由液相转移到气相形成离子化气体的过程中受到静电力、分子间的范德华力等多种力的作用。样品的离子化是多种力共同作用的结果,在不同的离子化阶段,不同形式的力的作用也不尽相同。电荷在样品表面蒸发和多电荷离子的形成之间存在竞争。对不同结构的分子,分子形态、构象改变导致的两相间转移Gibbs自由能变化不同,可能导致离子蒸发、大分子形成多电荷离子、产生链弹射等行为。离子化能量转移理论不仅能够对已有的3种理论加以简化统一,也可以说明溶剂、电解质离子等在离子化过程中的作用,为优化不同结构与形态样品的质谱检测、了解离子化的真实过程提供了一种可能的依据。     

MRD Cl calculation of the first and second ionization potential of OH

Multireference Cl calculations are reported for OH(²Π). OH⁺ (³Σ⁻), and OH²⁺ (⁴Σ⁻) using several basis sets. Ionization potentials derived from the potential curves are compared to previous calculations and to experimental values. We show that the errors obtained from the calculations can be traced to the difficulty in obtaining an accurate treatment of the ionization energy of the oxygen atom. No experimental artifact needs to be invoked to explain the discrepancy with the experimental results.     

Edge-on bonding of benzene molecules in the second adsorbed layer on Cu(110)

The bilayer of benzene on Cu(110) was studied with temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), time-of-flight electron stimulated desorption ion angular distribution (TOF-ESDIAD), and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). TPD spectra show that three well-defined adsorption states exist. The alpha layer corresponds to the first layer containing flat-lying benzene molecules. As coverage increases, the beta layer forms on top of the alpha layer, and eventually, a multilayer, gamma, forms. TPD measurements show that the number of benzene molecules in the beta layer is equal to the number of benzene molecules in the alpha layer. ESDIAD measurements establish that the orientation of the benzene molecules in the beta layer is edge-on, with two C-H bonds directed toward the surface. STM images of the beta layer reveal closely spaced edge-on benzene molecules arranged in repeating hexagons, as well as loosely spaced benzene molecules with greater apparent height, which are also edge-on species. Correlation between the different measurements suggests a structural model for the benzene bilayer.     

Effect of eluent on the ionization process in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

The most widely used ionization techniques in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) are electrospray ionization (ESI), atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). All three provide user friendly coupling of LC to MS. Achieving optimal LC-MS conditions is not always easy, however, owing to the complexity of ionization processes and the many parameters affecting mass spectrometric sensitivity and chromatographic performance. The selection of eluent composition requires particular attention since a solvent that is optimal for analyte ionization often does not provide acceptable retention and resolution in LC. Compromises must then be made between ionization and chromatographic separation efficiencies. The review presents an overview of studies concerning the effect of eluent composition on the ionization efficiency of ESI, APCI and APPI in LC-MS. Solvent characteristics are discussed in the light of ionization theories, and selected analytical applications are described. The aim is to provide practical background information for the development and optimization of LC-MS methods.     

Theoretical study on ionization process in aqueous solution

Ionization potential (ionization energy) is a fundamental quantity characterizing electronic structure of a molecule. It is known that the energy in solution phase is significantly different from that in the gas phase. In this report, vertical and adiabatic ionization processes in aqueous solution are studied based on a hybrid method of quantum chemistry and statistical mechanics called reference interaction site model-SCF-spacial electron density distribution method. A role of solvation effect is elucidated through molecular level information, i.e., solvent distribution function around solute molecule. By utilizing the linear response regime, a simple expression to evaluate the spectral width from the distribution function is proposed and compared with experimental data.