Matrix isolation and ab initio study of the HXeCCH...CO2 complex

The HXeCCH...CO2 complex is studied experimentally and computationally. The complex is prepared in a low-temperature xenon matrix using UV photolysis of propiolic acid (HCCCOOH) and thermal mobilization of H atoms at 45 K. Photolysis of propiolic acid leads to the HCCH...CO2 complex as one of the photolysis products. The HCCH...CO2 complex is further photolyzed to the HCC...CO2 complex. Thermal annealing leads to the formation of HXeCCH complexed with CO2. The H-Xe stretching absorption of the HXeCCH...CO2 complex is blueshifted (+31.9 and +5.8 cm(-1)) from the value of the HXeCCH monomer in a xenon matrix. In the calculations, three HXeCCH...CO2 structures were found (one parallel and two linear structures) corresponding to the true energy minima on the potential energy surface. For the H-Xe stretching mode, the calculations give blueshifted values of +19.2 or +19.5 cm(-1) depending on the computational level [MP2/6-311++G(2d,2p) and MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ] for the parallel structure and +19.4 or +27.9 cm(-1) for one linear structure. For the second linear structure, the H-Xe stretching frequency is redshifted by -8.6 or -9.4 cm(-1) at these levels of theory. Based on the calculations, the experimental band shifted by +5.8 cm(-1) (1492.2 cm(-1)) most likely corresponds to the HXeCCH...CO2 parallel structure. The band with larger blueshift of +31.9 cm(-1) (1518.3 cm(-1)) can be due to another matrix site of the same structure or to the blueshifting linear structure.     

Organo-noble-gas hydride compounds HKrCCH, HXeCCH, HXeCC, and HXeCCXeH: formation mechanisms and effect of 13C isotope substitution on the vibrational properties

We investigate the formation mechanism of HXeCCXeH in a Xe matrix. Our experimental results show that the HXeCCXeH molecules are formed in the secondary reactions involving HXeCC radicals. The experimental data on the formation of HXeCCXeH is fully explained based on the model involving the HXeCC+Xe+H-->HXeCCXeH reaction. This reaction is the first case when a noble-gas hydride molecule is formed from another noble-gas molecule. In addition, we investigate the (12)C/(13)C isotope effect on the vibrational properties of organo-noble-gas hydrides (HKrCCH, HXeCCH, HXeCC, and HXeCCXeH) in noble-gas matrixes. The present experimental results and ab initio calculations on carbon isotope shifts of the vibrational modes support the previous assignments of these molecules. Upon (12)C to (13)C isotope substitution, we observed a pronounced effect on the H-Kr stretching mode of HKrCCH (downshift of 1.0-3.6 cm(-1), depending on the matrix site) and a small anomalous shift (+0.1 cm(-1)) of the H-Xe stretching mode of HXeCCH and HXeCCXeH.     

Infrared Spectra of Carbon Monoxide in Kr and Xe Matrices: Shifts of the Vibrational Line Positions

The infrared spectra of CO in Kr and Xe matrices have been measured with an improved resolution. On the basis of the concentration and temperature dependence, fine structures in the CO stretching fundamental band have been assigned to the CO monomer and the dimer. The red shifts of the vibrational line position of CO observed in the Ar, Kr, and Xe matrix increase monotonically with this order. The splitting of the fine structure decreases with this order.     

High kinetic stability of HXeBr upon interaction with carbon dioxide: HXeBr···CO2 complex in a xenon matrix and HXeBr in a carbon dioxide matrix

We investigate the conditions when noble-gas hydrides can be found in real environments and report on the preparation and identification of the HXeBr···CO(2) complex in a xenon matrix and HXeBr in a carbon dioxide matrix. The H-Xe stretching mode of the HXeBr···CO(2) complex in a xenon matrix is observed at 1557 cm(-1), showing a spectral shift of +53 cm(-1) from the HXeBr monomer. The calculations at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ-PP(Xe,Br) level of theory give two stable structures for the HXeBr···CO(2) complex with frequency shifts of +55 and +103 cm(-1), respectively. On the basis of the calculations, the experimentally observed band is assigned to the more stable structure with a "parallel" geometry. The HXeBr molecule was prepared in a carbon dioxide matrix and has the H-Xe stretching frequency of 1646 cm(-1), meaning a strong matrix shift and stabilization of the H-Xe bond. The deuterated species DXeBr in a carbon dioxide matrix absorbs at 1200 cm(-1). This is the first case where a noble-gas hydride is prepared in a molecular solid. The thermal stabilities of HXeBr and HXeBr···CO(2) complex in a xenon matrix and HXeBr in a carbon dioxide matrix were examined. We have found a high thermal stability of HXeBr in carbon dioxide ice (at least up to 100 K), i.e., under conditions that may occur in nature.     

Infrared spectra of (HCOOH)(2) and (DCOOH)(2) in rare gas matrices: a comparative study with gas phase spectra

Infrared absorption spectra of (HCOOH)(2) and (DCOOH)(2) in solid argon, krypton, and xenon matrices have been measured and each fundamental band has been assigned. Spectra in Ar and Kr matrices showed notable splitting in contrast to those in Xe, which suggests a difference in structure of the trapping sites. A comparison with the reported jet-cooled spectra has shown that vibrational structures of the spectra of (HCOOH)(2) and (DCOOH)(2) in the O-H stretching region are preserved in the matrices. On the other hand, the C-O stretching band of (HCOOH)(2) shows a drastic change upon matrix isolation, wherein the Fermi-triad feature observed in gas phase [F. Ito, Chem. Phys. Lett. 447, 202 (2007)] could not be identified. No substantial change of the vibrational structure has been found for matrix-isolated (DCOOH)(2). The differences of the vibrational structures in the matrix-isolation spectra and in the jet-cooled spectra have been qualitatively accounted for using the idea of anharmonic couplings among "matrix-shifted harmonic states."     

A neutral xenon-containing radical,HXeO

We report an open-shell species containing xenon, HXeO ((2)Sigma), prepared by UV photolysis of H(2)O/Xe or N(2)O/HBr/Xe solid mixtures at 7 K and subsequent thermal mobilization of oxygen atoms at >/=30 K. The H-Xe stretching absorption of HXeO in solid Xe is at 1466.1 cm(-1), and it shifts to 1070.3 cm(-1) upon deuteration. The extensive ab initio calculations indicate that HXeO is intrinsically stable, owing to significant ionic and covalent contributions to its bonding. The formation of HXeO ((2)Sigma) radicals in these experiments suggests extensive stabilization and thermal mobility of singlet ((1)D) oxygen atoms in solid Xe and holds promises for the stability of the HKrO and HArO species.     

On the noble-gas-induced intersystem crossing for the CUO molecule: experimental and theoretical investigations of CUO(Ng)n (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe; n = 1, 2, 3, 4) complexes in solid neon

Uranium atoms excited by laser ablation react with CO in excess neon to produce the novel CUO molecule, which forms distinct Ng complexes (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe) when the heavier noble gases are added. The CUO(Ng) complexes are identified through CO isotopic and Ng substitution on the neon matrix infrared spectra and by comparison to DFT frequency calculations. The U-C and U-O stretching frequencies of CUO(Ng) complexes are slightly red-shifted from frequencies for the (1)Sigma(+) CUO ground state, which identifies singlet ground state CUO(Ng) complexes. In solid neon the CUO molecule is also a complex CUO(Ne)(n), and the CUO(Ne)(n-1)(Ng) complexes are likewise specified. The next singlet CUO(Ne)(x)(Ng)(2) complexes in excess neon follow in like manner. However, the higher CUO(Ne)(x)(Ng)(n) complex (n = 3, 4) stretching modes approach pure argon matrix CUO(Ar)(n) values and isotopic behavior, which are characterized as triplet ground state complexes by DFT frequency calculations. This work suggests that the singlet-triplet crossing occurs with 3 Ar, 3 Kr, or 4 Xe and a balance of Ne atoms coordinated to CUO in the neon matrix host.     

Insertion of noble gas atoms into cyanoacetylene: an ab initio and matrix isolation study

A computational and experimental matrix isolation study of insertion of noble gas atoms into cyanoacetylene (HCCCN) is presented. Twelve novel noble gas insertion compounds are found to be kinetically stable at the MP2 level of theory, including four molecules with argon. The first group of the computationally studied molecules belongs to noble gas hydrides (HNgCCCN and HNgCCNC), and we found their stability for Ng = Ar, Kr, and Xe. The HNgCCCN compounds with Kr and Xe have similar stability to that of previously reported HKrCN and HXeCN. The HArCCCN molecule seems to have a weaker H-Ar bond than in the previously identified HArF molecule. The HNgCCNC molecules are less stable than the HNgCCCN isomers for all noble gas atoms. The second group of the computational insertion compounds, HCCNgCN and HCCNgNC, are of a different type, and they also are kinetically stable for Ng = Ar, Kr, and Xe. Our photolysis and annealing experiments with low-temperature cyanoacetylene/Ng (Ng = Ar, Kr, and Xe) matrixes evidence the formation of two noble gas hydrides for Ng = Kr and Xe, with the strongest IR absorption bands at 1492.1 and 1624.5 cm(-1), and two additional absorption modes for each species are found. The computational spectra of HKrCCCN and HXeCCCN fit most closely the experimental data, which is the basis for our assignment. The obtained species absorb at quite similar frequencies as the known HKrCN and HXeCN molecules, which is in agreement with the theoretical predictions. No strong candidates for an Ar compound are observed in the IR absorption spectra. As an important side product of this work, the data obtained in long-term decay of KrHKr+ cations suggest a tentative assignment for the CCCN radical.     

Electronic spectroscopy of C2 in solid rare gas matrixes

Electronic spectroscopy of the C(2) molecule is investigated in Ar, Kr, and Xe matrixes in the 150-500 nm range. In the Ar matrix, the D ((1)Sigma(u)(+)) <-- ((1)Sigma(g)(+)) Mulliken band near 240 nm is the sole absorption in the UV range, whereas in the Kr matrix additional bands in the 188-209 nm range are assigned to the Kr(n)()(+)C(2)(-) <-- Kr(n)()C(2) charge-transfer absorptions. Because of the formation of a bound C(2)Xe species, the spectral observations in the Xe matrix differ dramatically from the lighter rare gases: the Mulliken band is absent and new bands appear near 300 and 423 nm. The latter is assigned to the forbidden B'((1)Sigma(g)(+)) <-- X ((1)Sigma(g)(+)) transition, but the origin of the former remains unclear. The spectral assignments are aided by electronic structure calculations at the MCSCF, CCSD(T), and BCCD(T) levels of theory and correlation consistent basis sets. A significant presence of multireference character of the C(2)Xe system was noted and a linear ground-state structure is predicted. The computational results contradict previous density functional studies on the same system.     

Coordination of ScO+ and YO+ by multiple Ar, Kr, and Xe atoms in noble gas matrixes: a matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study

The combination of matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results provide strong evidence that scandium and yttrium monoxide cations, ScO+ and YO+, coordinate multiple noble gas atoms in forming noble gas complexes. The results showed that ScO+ coordinates five Ar, Kr, or Xe atoms, and YO+ coordinates six Ar or Kr and five Xe atoms in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the ScO+ and YO+ cations trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the [ScO(Ng)5]+ (Ng = Ar, Kr, or Xe), [YO(Ng)6]+ (Ng = Ar or Kr) or [YO(Xe)5]+ complexes. Experiments with dilute krypton or xenon in argon or krypton in xenon produced new IR bands, which are due to the stepwise formation of the [ScO(Ar)(5-n)(Kr)n]+, [ScO(Kr)(5-n)(Xe)n]+ (n = 1-5), [YO(Ar)(6-n)(Kr)n]+ (n = 1-6), and [YO(Ar)(6-n)(Xe)n]+ (n = 1-4) complexes.     

Intermolecular complexes of HXeOH with water: stabilization and destabilization effects

Theoretical and matrix-isolation studies of intermolecular complexes of HXeOH with water molecules are presented. The structures and possible decomposition routes of the HXeOH-(H(2)O)(n)(n = 0, 1, 2, 3) complexes are analyzed theoretically. It is concluded that the decay of these metastable species may proceed through the bent transition states (TSs), leading to the global minima on the respective potential energy surfaces, Xe + (H(2)O)(n+1). The respective barrier heights are 39.6, 26.6, 11.2, and 0.4 kcal/mol for n = 0, 1, 2, and 3. HXeOH in larger water clusters is computationally unstable with respect to the bending coordinate, representing the destabilization effect. Another decomposition channel of HXeOH-(H(2)O)(n), via a linear TS, leads to a direct break of the H-Xe bond of HXeOH. In this case, the attached water molecules stabilize HXeOH by strengthening the H-Xe bond. Due to the stabilization, a large blue shift of the H-Xe stretching mode upon complexation of HXeOH with water molecules is featured in calculations. On the basis of this computational result, the IR absorption bands at 1681 and 1742 cm(-1) observed after UV photolysis and annealing of multimeric H(2)O/Xe matrixes are assigned to the HXeOH-H(2)O and HXeOH-(H(2)O)(2) complexes. These bands are blue-shifted by 103 and 164 cm(-1) from the known monomeric HXeOH absorption.     

Electronic spectroscopy of I(2)-Xe complexes in solid Krypton

In the present work, we have studied ion-pair states of matrix-isolated I(2) with vacuum-UV absorption and UV-vis-NIR emission, where the matrix environment is systematically changed by mixing Kr with Xe, from pure Kr to a more polarizable Xe host. Particular emphasis is put on low doping levels of Xe that yield a binary complex I(2)-Xe, as verified by coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) measurements. Associated with interaction of I(2) with Xe we can observe strong new absorption in vacuum-UV, redshifted 2400 cm(-1) from the X → D transition of I(2). Observed redshift can be explained by symmetry breaking of ion-pair states within the I(2)-Xe complex. Systematic Xe doping of Kr matrices shows that at low doping levels, positions of I(2) ion-pair emissions are not significantly affected by complexation with Xe, but simultaneous increase of emissions from doubly spin-excited states indicates non-radiative relaxation to valence states. At intermediate doping levels ion-pair emissions shift systematically to red due to change in the average polarizability of the environment. We have conducted spectrally resolved ultrafast pump-probe ion-pair emission studies with pure and Xe doped Kr matrices, in order to reveal the influence of Xe to I(2) dynamics in solid Kr. Strikingly, relaxed emission from the ion-pair states shows no indication of complex presence. It further indicates that the complex escapes detection due to a non-radiative relaxation.     

Ti2: accurate determination of the dissociation energy from matrix resonance Raman spectra and chemical interaction with noble gases

UV-visible and resonance Raman spectra of Ti(2) isolated in Ar, Kr, and Xe matrices at temperatures of 10 K were measured by using the 514 nm line of an Ar ion laser. The data show that the Ti(2) molecule interacts strongly with Xe, leading to a significant weakening of the Ti[bond]Ti bond strength. The f(Ti[bond]Ti) force constant decreases in the series Ar>Kr>Xe, from 232.8 Nm(-1) in Ar and 225.5 Nm(-1) in Kr to 199.7 Nm(-1) in Xe. Additional experiments in an Ar matrix containing 2 % of Xe indicate the formation of a molecule of the formula Ti(2)Xe. Our spectra for Ti(2) in an Ar matrix give evidence for several previously not observed members of the Stokes progression. The sum of experimental data allows for an improved estimation of the dissociation energy on the basis of a LeRoy-Bernstein-Lam analysis. A dissociation energy of 1.18 eV was derived from this analysis. The UV-visible data give evidence of the vibrational levels of an excited state of Ti(2).     

Infrared absorption spectrum of matrix-isolated noble-gas hydride molecules: fingerprints of specific interactions and hindered rotation

Noble-gas hydride molecules with the general formula HNgY (Ng denotes noble-gas atom and Y denotes electronegative fragment) are usually prepared in solid noble gases. In many cases, the matrix-isolated HNgY molecules show a characteristic structure of the H-Ng stretching absorption: A close doublet as the main spectral feature and a weaker satellite at higher energy. This characteristic band structure is studied here for matrix-isolated HXeBr and HKrCl molecules. Based on the experimental and theoretical results, we suggest a model explaining the common features of the band structure of the HNgY molecules in noble-gas matrices. In this model, the main doublet bands are attributed to matrix sites where the splitting is caused by specific interactions of the embedded molecule with noble-gas matrix atoms in certain local morphology. The weaker blueshifted band is probably a fingerprint of hindered rotation (libration) of the embedded molecule in the lattice. This librational band has a mirror counterpart at lower energies appearing at higher matrix temperatures. Our present ab initio calculations for the one-to-one Xe...HXeBr complexes and the simulation of hindered rotation in a matrix support this image.     

Luminescence spectroscopy of matrix-isolated atomic manganese: excitation of the "forbidden" a6D(J)<-->a6S transitions

Laser-induced excitation spectra recorded for the electric-quadrupole 3d(6)4s a6D(J)<--3d(5)4s2a6S(5/2) transitions of atomic Mn, allow assignment of the red emission features, previously observed in Mn/RG (RG=Ar, Kr and Xe) matrices with resonance 3d(5)4s4pz6P(5/2)<--3d(5)4s2 a6S(5/2) excitation, to the metastable a6D(9/2) state. Narrow excitation bands recorded for the red site in the Mn/Kr system allow identification of all five spin-orbit levels (J=1/2, 3/2, 5/2, 7/2 and 9/2) in the a6D state. The coincidence of the lowest energy excitation band and the observed 585.75 nm (17,072 cm(-1)) emission band of atomic Mn in Kr matrices, yielded a definitive assignment of this emission to a transition from the J=9/2 spin-orbit level. Temperature dependent emission scans lead to the identification of the zero phonon line for the a6D(9/2)-->a6S(5/2) transition at 585.75 nm. The identified matrix-shift of +20 cm(-1) allows an assessment of the extent of the ground state stabilization in the red (secondary) site of atomic Mn isolation in solid Kr. Emission produced with direct a6D state excitation yielded both the 585.75 and 626 nm features. The former band arises for Mn atoms occupying the red site--the latter from blue site occupancy in solid Kr. The excitation linewidths recorded for these two sites differ greatly, with the blue site yielding a broad featureless profile, in contrast to the narrow, structured features of the red site. The corresponding red site a6D(J)<-->a6S(5/2) transitions in Ar and Xe matrices are broader than in Kr--a difference considered to originate from the site sizes available in these hosts and the interatomic Mn x RG potentials. The millisecond decay times recorded for the red emission bands in the Mn/RG systems are all much shorter than the 3 s value predicted for the gas phase a6D(9/2)-->a6S(5/2) transition. This enhancement allows optical pumping of the forbidden a6D(J)<-->a6S transitions with low laser powers when atomic manganese is isolated in the solid state. However all the emission decays are complex, exhibiting triple exponential decays. This behavior may be related to the dependence of the excitation linewidths on the J value, indicating removal of the J degeneracy due to weak matrix-induced, crystal field splitting.     

Experimental evidence for the formation of HXeCCH: the first hydrocarbon with an inserted rare-gas atom

Combined FTIR and EPR studies of acetylene irradiated with fast electrons in a solid xenon matrix provide experimental evidence for the formation of HXeCCH, a novel-type organic molecule with an inserted rare-gas atom. The new species resulting from the reaction of H atoms with CCH radicals in xenon was characterized by an intense IR absorption at 1486.0 cm(-1) corresponding to Xe-H stretching.     

The C3-bending vibrational levels of the C3-Kr and C3-Xe van der Waals complexes studied by their Ã-X̃ electronic transitions and by ab initio calculations

Fluorescence excitation spectra and wavelength-resolved emission spectra of the C(3)-Kr and C(3)-Xe van der Waals (vdW) complexes have been recorded near the 2(2-)(0), 2(2+)(0), 2(4-)(0), and 1(1)(0) bands of the A?(1)Π(u)-X?(1)Σ(g)(+) system of the C(3) molecule. In the excitation spectra, the spectral features of the two complexes are red-shifted relative to those of free C(3) by 21.9-38.2 and 34.3-36.1 cm(-1), respectively. The emission spectra from the A? state of the Kr complex consist of progressions in the two C(3)-bending vibrations (ν(2), ν(4)), the vdW stretching (ν(3)), and bending vibrations (ν(6)), suggesting that the equilibrium geometry in the X? state is nonlinear. As in the Ar complex [Zhang et al., J. Chem. Phys. 120, 3189 (2004)], the C(3)-bending vibrational levels of the Kr complex shift progressively to lower energy with respect to those of free C(3) as the bending quantum number increases. Their vibrational structures could be modeled as perturbed harmonic oscillators, with the dipole-induced dipole terms of the Ar and Kr complexes scaled roughly by the polarizabilities of the Ar and Kr atoms. Emission spectra of the Xe complex, excited near the A?, 2(2-) level of free C(3), consist only of progressions in even quanta of the C(3)-bending and vdW modes, implying that the geometry in the higher vibrational levels (υ(bend) ≥ 4, E(vib) ≥ 328 cm(-1)) of the X? state is (vibrationally averaged) linear. In this structure the Xe atom bonds to one of the terminal carbons nearly along the inertial a-axis of bent C(3). Our ab initio calculations of the Xe complex at the level of CCSD(T)∕aug-cc-pVTZ (C) and aug-cc-pVTZ-PP (Xe) predict that its equilibrium geometry is T-shaped (as in the Ar and Kr complexes), and also support the assignment of a stable linear isomer when the amplitude of the C(3) bending vibration is large (υ(4) ≥ 4).     

Measuring polarizability anisotropies of rare gas diatomic molecules by laser-induced molecular alignment technique

The polarizability anisotropies of homonuclear rare gas diatomic molecules, Ar(2), Kr(2), and Xe(2), are investigated by utilizing the interaction of the induced electric dipole moment with a nonresonant, nanosecond laser pulse. The degree of alignment, which depends on the depth of the interaction potential created by the intense laser field, is measured, and is found to increase in order of Ar(2), Kr(2), and Xe(2) at the same peak intensity. Compared with a reference I(2) molecule, Ar(2), Kr(2), and Xe(2) are found to have the polarizability anisotropies of 0.45 ± 0.13, 0.72 ± 0.13, and 1.23 ± 0.21 A?(3), respectively, where the uncertainties (one standard deviation) in the polarizability anisotropies are carefully evaluated on the basis of the laser intensity dependence of the degree of alignment. The obtained values are compared with recent theoretical calculations and are found to agree well within the experimental uncertainties.     

Generation and orientation of organoxenon molecule H-Xe-CCH in the gas phase

We report on the first observation of the organoxenon HXeCCH molecule in the gas phase. This molecule has been prepared in a molecular beam experiment by 193 nm photolysis of an acetylene molecule on Xe(n) clusters (n approximately 390). Subsequently the molecule has been oriented via the pseudo-first-order Stark effect in a strong electric field of the polarized laser light combined with the weak electrostatic field in the extraction region of a time-of-flight spectrometer. The experimental evidence for the oriented molecule has been provided by measurements of its photodissociation. For comparison, photolysis of C(2)H(2) on Ar(n) clusters (n approximately 280) has been measured. Here the analogous rare gas molecule HArCCH could not be generated. The interpretation of our experimental findings has been supported by ab initio calculations. In addition, the experiment together with the calculations reveals information on the photochemistry of the HXeCCH molecule. The 193 nm radiation excites the molecule predominantly into the 2 (1)Sigma(+) state, which cannot dissociate the Xe-H bond directly, but the system evolves along the Xe-C coordinate to a conical intersection of a slightly nonlinear configuration with the dissociative 1 (1)Pi state, which then dissociates the Xe-H bond.