High resolution photofragment translational spectroscopy studies of the near ultraviolet photolysis of phenol

The fragmentation dynamics of gas phase phenol molecules following excitation at many wavelengths in the range 279.145 > or = lambdaphot > or = 206.00 nm have been investigated by H Rydberg atom photofragment translational spectroscopy. Many of the total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra so derived show structure, the analysis of which confirms the importance of O-H bond fission and reveals that the resulting phenoxyl cofragments are formed in a very limited subset of their available vibrational state density. Spectra recorded at lambdaphot > or = 248 nm show a feature centered at TKER approximately 6500 cm(-1). These H atom fragments, which show no recoil anisotropy, are rationalized in terms of initial S1<--S0 (pi*<--pi) excitation, and subsequent dissociation via two successive radiationless transitions: internal conversion to ground (S0) state levels carrying sufficient O-H stretch vibrational energy to allow efficient transfer towards, and passage around, the conical intersection (CI) between the S0 and S2(1pisigma*) potential energy surfaces (PESs) at larger R(O-H), en route to ground state phenoxyl products. The observed phenoxyl product vibrations indicate that parent modes nu16a and nu11 can both promote nonadiabatic coupling in the vicinity of the S0S2 CI. Spectra recorded at lambdaphot < or = 248 nm reveal a faster, anisotropic distribution of recoiling H atoms, centered at TKER approximately 12,000 cm(-1). These we attribute to H+phenoxyl products formed by direct coupling between the optically excited S1(1pi pi*) and repulsive S2(1pi sigma*) PESs. Parent mode nu16b is identified as the dominant coupling mode at the S1/S2 CI, and the resulting phenoxyl radical cofragments display a long progression in nu18b, the C-O in-plane wagging mode. Analysis of all structured TKER spectra yields D0(H-OC6H5) = 30,015 +/- 40 cm(-1). The present findings serve to emphasize two points of wider relevance in contemporary organic photochemistry: (i) The importance of 1) pi sigma* states in the fragmentation of gas phase heteroaromatic hydride molecules, even in cases where the 1pi sigma* state is optically dark. (ii) The probability of observing strikingly mode-specific product formation, even in "indirect" predissociations, if the fragmentation is driven by ultrafast nonadiabatic couplings via CIs between excited (and ground) state PESs.     

Position matters: competing O-H and N-H photodissociation pathways in hydroxy- and methoxy-substituted indoles

H (Rydberg) atom photofragment translational spectroscopy (HRA-PTS) and complete active space with second order perturbation theory (CASPT2) methods have been used to explore the competing N-H and O-H bond dissociation pathways of 4- and 5-hydroxyindoles (HI) and methoxyindoles (MI). When 4-HI was excited to bound (1)L(b) levels, (λ(phot) ≤ 284.893 nm) O-H bond fission was demonstrated by assignment of the structure within the resulting total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra. By analogy with phenol, dissociation was deduced to occur by H atom tunnelling under the barrier associated with the lower diabats of the (1)L(b)/(1)πσ*((OH)) conical intersection (CI). No evidence was found for a significant N-H bond dissociation yield at these or shorter excitation wavelengths (284.893 ≥ λ(phot) ≥ 193.3 nm). Companion studies of 4-MI revealed different reaction dynamics. In this case, N-H bond fission is deduced to occur at λ(phot) ≤ 271.104 nm, by direct excitation to the (1)πσ*((NH)) state. Analysis of the measured TKER spectra implies a mechanism wherein, as in pyrrole, the (1)πσ*((NH)) state gains oscillator strength by intensity borrowing from nearby bound states with higher oscillator strengths. HRA-PTS studies of 5-HI, in contrast, showed no evidence for O-H bond dissociation when excited on (1)L(b) levels. The present CASPT2 calculations assist in rationalizing this observation: the area underneath the (1)L(b)/(1)πσ* CI diabats in 5-HI is ~60% greater than the corresponding area in 4-HI and O-H bond dissociation by tunnelling is thus much less probable. Only by reducing the wavelength to ≤ 255 nm were signs of N-H and/or O-H bond dissociation identified. By comparison with companion 5-MI studies, we deduce little O-H bond fission in 5-HI at λ(phot) > 235 nm and that N-H bond fission is the dominant source of H atoms in the wavelength region 255 > λ(phot) > 235 nm. The very different dissociation dynamics of 4- and 5-HI are traced to the position of the -OH substituent, and its effect on the overall electronic structure.     

High resolution photofragment translational spectroscopy of the near UV photolysis of indole: dissociation via the 1pi sigma* state

The fragmentation dynamics of indole molecules following excitation at 193.3 nm, and at a number of different wavelengths in the range 240 < or = lambda(phot) < or = 286 nm, have been investigated by H Rydberg atom photofragment translational spectroscopy. The longer wavelength measurements have been complemented by measurements of excitation spectra for forming parent and fragment ions by two (or more) photon ionisation processes. Analysis identifies at least three distinct contributions to the observed H atom yield, two of which are attributable to dissociation of indole following radiationless transfer from the 1pi pi* excited states (traditionally labelled 1L(b) and 1L(a)) prepared by UV single photon absorption. The structured channel evident in total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra recorded at lambda(phot) < or = 263 nm is rationalised in terms of N-H bond fission following initial pi* <-- pi excitation and subsequent coupling to the 1pi sigma* potential energy surface via a conical intersection between the respective surfaces--thereby validating recent theoretical predictions regarding the importance of this process (Sobolewski et al., Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2002, 4, 1093). Analysis provides an upper limit for the N-H bond strength in indole: D0(H-indolyl) < or = 31,900 cm(-1). Unimolecular decay of highly vibrationally excited ground state molecules formed by internal conversion from the initially prepared 1pi pi* states is a source of (slow) H atoms but their contribution to the TKER spectra measured in the present work is dwarfed by that from H atoms generated by one or more (unintended but unavoidable) multiphoton processes.     

Near-ultraviolet photodissociation of thiophenol

H(D) Rydberg atom photofragment translational spectroscopy has been used to investigate the dynamics of H(D) atom loss C6H5SH(C6H5SD) following excitation at many wavelengths lambda phot in the range of 225-290 nm. The C6H5S cofragments are formed in both their ground (X(2)B1) and first excited ((2)B2) electronic states, in a distribution of vibrational levels that spreads and shifts to higher internal energies as lambda(phot) is reduced. Excitation at lambda(phot) > 275 nm populates levels of the first (1)pi pi* state, which decay by tunnelling to the dissociative (1)pi sigma* state potential energy surface (PES). S-H torsional motion is identified as a coupling mode facilitating population transfer at the conical intersection (CI) between the diabatic (1)pi pi* and (1)pi sigma* PESs. At shorter lambda(phot), the (1)pi sigma* state is deduced to be populated either directly or by efficient vibronic coupling from higher (1)pipi* states. Flux evolving on the (1)pi sigma* PES samples a second CI, at longer R(S-H), between the diabatic (1)pi sigma* and ground ((1)pi pi) PESs, where the electronic branching between ground and excited state C6H5S fragments is determined. The C6H5S(X(2)B1) and C6H5S((2)B2) products are deduced to be formed in levels with, respectively, a' and a' vibrational symmetry-behavior that reflects both Franck-Condon effects (both in the initial photoexcitation step and in the subsequent in-plane forces acting during dissociation) and the effects of the out-of-plane coupling mode(s), nu11 and nu16a, at the (1)pi sigma*/(1)pi pi CI. The vibrational state assignments enabled by the high-energy resolution of the present data allow new and improved estimations of the bond dissociation energies, D0(C6H5S-H) < or = 28,030 +/- 100 cm(-1) and D0(C6H5S-D) < or = 28,610 +/- 100 cm(-1), and of the energy separation between the X(2)B1 and (2)B2 states of the C6H5S radical, T(00) = 2800 +/- 40 cm(-1). Similarities, and differences, between the measured energy disposals accompanying UV photoinduced X-H (X = S, O) bond fission in thiophenol and phenol are discussed.     

High resolution photofragment translational spectroscopy studies of the near ultraviolet photolysis of imidazole

The fragmentation dynamics of imidazole molecules following excitation at 193.3 nm and at many wavelengths in the range of 210< or =lambda(phot)< or =240 nm have been investigated by H Rydberg atom photofragment translational spectroscopy. Long wavelength excitation within this range results in population of the 1 (1)A(")((1)pisigma(*)) excited state, but the 2 (1)A(')<--X (1)A(')(pi(*)<--pi) transition becomes the dominant absorption once lambda(phot)< or =220 nm. The measured energy disposals show parallels with those found in recent studies of the UV photolysis of pyrrole [Cronin et al., Phys Chem. Chem. Phys. 6, 5031 (2004)]. The total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra display a "fast" feature, centred at TKER approximately 9200 cm(-1). The analysis of the structure evident in the fast feature reveals the selective population of specific in-plane stretching vibrational levels of the imidazolyl cofragment; these fragments are deduced to carry only modest amounts of rotational excitation. Comparison with calculated normal mode vibrational frequencies allows the assignment of the populated levels and a precise determination of the N-H bond strength in imidazole: D(0)=33,240+/-40 cm(-1). The observed energy disposal can be rationalized using Franck-Condon arguments, assuming that the potential energy surface (PES) for the 1 (1)A(")((1)pisigma(*)) state has a topology similar to that of the corresponding (1)pisigma(*) state of pyrrole. As in pyrrole, photoexcitation populates skeletal motions in the S(1) state (in-plane motions in the present case) that are only weakly coupled to the N-H dissociation coordinate and thus map through into the corresponding product vibrations. A second, "slow" feature is increasingly evident in TKER spectra recorded at shorter lambda(phot). This component, which exhibits no recoil anisotropy, is attributed to H atoms formed by the "statistical" decay of highly vibrationally excited ground state molecules. The form of the TKER spectra observed at short lambda(phot) is rationalized by assuming two possible decay routes for imidazole molecules excited to the 2 (1)A(')((1)pipi(*)) state. One involves fast 2 (1)A(')((1)pipi(*)) right arrow-wavy 1 (1)A(")((1)pisigma(*)) radiationless transfer and subsequent fragmentation on the 1 (1)A(')((1)pisigma(*)) PES, yielding fast H atoms (and imidazolyl cofragments)-reminiscent of behavior seen at longer excitation wavelengths where the 1 (1)A(")((1)pisigma(*)) PES is accessed directly. The second is assumed to involve radiationless transfer to the ground state, most probably by successive 2 (1)A(') right arrow-wavy 1 (1)A(") right arrow-wavy X (1)A(') couplings, mediated by conical intersections between the relevant PESs and the subsequent unimolecular decay of the resulting highly vibrationally excited ground state molecules yielding slow H atoms.     

Ultraviolet photolysis of adenine: dissociation via the 1pi sigma* state

High resolution total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra of the H atom fragments resulting from photodissociation of jet-cooled adenine molecules at 17 wavelengths in the range 280>lambda(phot)>214 nm are reported. TKER spectra obtained at lambda(phot)>233 nm display broad, isotropic profiles that peak at low TKER ( approximately 1800 cm(-1)) and are largely insensitive to the choice of excitation wavelength. The bulk of these products is attributed to unintended multiphoton dissociation processes. TKER spectra recorded at lambda(phot)相似文献   

High resolution photofragment translational spectroscopy studies of the near ultraviolet photolysis of 2,5-dimethylpyrrole

The photodissociation dynamics of 2,5-dimethylpyrrole (2,5-DMP) has been investigated following excitation at 193.3 nm and at many near ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths in the range 244 < lambda(phot) < 282 nm using H Rydberg atom photofragment translational spectroscopy (PTS). Complementary UV absorption and, at the longest excitation wavelengths, one photon resonant multiphoton ionisation spectra of 2,5-DMP are reported also; analysis of the latter highlights the role of methyl torsional motions in promoting the parent absorption. The deduced fragmentation dynamics show parallels with that reported recently (B. Cronin, M. G. D. Nix, R. H. Qadiri and M. N. R. Ashfold, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2004, 6, 5031) for the bare pyrrole molecule. Excitation at the longer wavelengths leads to (vibronically induced) population of the 1(1)A(2)(pisigma*) excited state of 2,5-DMP, but once lambda(phot) decreases to approximately 250 nm stronger, dipole allowed transitions start to become apparent in the parent absorption. All total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra of the H + 2,5-dimethylpyrrolyl (2,5-DMPyl) fragments measured at lambda(phot)> or=244 nm show a structured fast component, many of which are dominated by a peak with TKER approximately 5100 cm(-1); analysis of this structure reveals lambda(phot) dependent population of selected vibrational levels of 2,5-DMPyl, and enables determination of the N-H bond strength in 2,5-DMP: D(0) = 30 530 +/- 100 cm(-1). Two classes of behaviour are proposed to account for details of the observed energy partitioning. Both assume that N-H bond fission involves passage over (or tunnelling through) a small exit channel barrier on the 1(1)A(2) potential energy surface, but differ according to the vibrational energy content of the photo-prepared molecules. Specific parent out-of-plane skeletal modes that promote the 1(1)A(2)-X(1)A(1) absorption appear to evolve adiabatically into the corresponding vibrations of the 2,5-DMPyl products. Methyl torsions can also promote the 1(1)A(2)<-- X(1)A(1) absorption in 2,5-DMP, and provide a means of populating a much higher density of excited vibrational levels than in pyrrole. Such excited levels are deduced to dissociate by redistributing the minimum amount of internal energy necessary to overcome the exit channel barrier in the N-H dissociation coordinate. Coupling with the ground state surface via a conical intersection at extended N-H bond lengths is proposed as a further mechanism for modest translational --> vibrational energy transfer within the separating products. The parent absorption cross-section increases considerably at wavelengths approximately 250 nm, and PTS spectra recorded at lambda(phot)< or = 254 nm display a second, unstructured, peak at lower TKER. As in pyrrole, this slower component is attributed to H atoms from the unimolecular decay of highly vibrationally excited ground state molecules formed via radiationless decay from photo-excited states lying above the 1(1)A(2) state.     

Conformer specific dissociation dynamics of iodocyclohexane studied by velocity map imaging

The photodissociation dynamics of iodocyclohexane has been studied using velocity map imaging following excitation at many wavelengths within its A-band (230 ≤ λ ≤ 305 nm). This molecule exists in two conformations (axial and equatorial), and one aim of the present experiment was to explore the extent to which conformer-specific fragmentation dynamics could be distinguished. Ground (I) and spin-orbit excited (I?) state iodine atom products were monitored by 2 + 1 resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization, and total kinetic energy release (TKER) spectra and angular distributions derived from analysis of images recorded at all wavelengths studied. TKER spectra obtained at the longer excitation wavelengths show two distinct components, which can be attributed to the two conformers and the different ways in which these partition the excess energy upon C-I bond fission. Companion calculations based on a simple impulsive model suggest that dissociation of the equatorial (axial) conformer preferentially yields vibrationally (rotationally) excited cyclohexyl co-fragments. Both I and I? products are detected at the longest parent absorption wavelength (λ ～ 305 nm), and both sets of products show recoil anisotropy parameters, β > 1, implying prompt dissociation following excitation via a transition whose dipole moment is aligned parallel to the C-I bond. The quantum yield for forming I? products, Φ(I?), has been determined by time resolved infrared diode laser absorption methods to be 0.14 ± 0.02 (at λ = 248 nm) and 0.22 ± 0.05 (at λ = 266 nm). Electronic structure calculations indicate that the bulk of the A-band absorption is associated with transition to the 4A(') state, and that the (majority) I atom products arise via non-adiabatic transfer from the 4A(') potential energy surface (PES) via conical intersection(s) with one or more PESs correlating with ground state products.     

Vibrational energy redistribution in catechol during ultraviolet photolysis

This article reports the striking interplay between the molecular structure and the photodissociation dynamics of catechol (a key dihydroxybenzene), identified using a combination of electronic spectroscopy, hydrogen (Rydberg) atom photofragment translational spectroscopy, density functional theory and second order approximate coupled cluster methods. We describe how the non-planar (C(1) symmetry) ← planar (C(s) symmetry) geometry change during S(1) (1(1)ππ*) ←S(0) excitation in catechol, as well as the presence of internal hydrogen bonding, can perturb the photodissociation dynamics relative to that of phenol (a monohydroxybenzene), particularly with respect to O-H bond fission via the lowest dissociative (1)πσ* state. For λ(phot) > 270 nm, O-H bond fission (of the non hydrogen bonded hydroxyl moiety) is deduced to proceed via H atom tunnelling from the photo-prepared 1(1)ππ* state into the lowest (1)πσ* state of the molecule. The vibrational energy distribution in the resulting catechoxyl product changes notably as λ(phot) is tuned on resonance with either the v' = 0, m(2)' = 1(+) or m(2)' = 2(+) torsional levels of the photo-prepared 1(1)ππ* state: the product state distribution is highly sensitive to the degree of OH torsional excitation (m(2)) prepared during photo-excitation. It is deduced that such torsional excitation can be redistributed very efficiently into ring puckering (and likely also in-plane ring stretch) vibrations as the molecule tunnels to its repulsive 1(1)πσ* state and dissociates. These observations can be rationalised by consideration of the photo-prepared nuclear wavefunctions. Analysis of the product vibrational energy distribution also reveals that the O-H bond strength of the non hydrogen bonded O-H moiety in catechol, D(0)(H-catechoxyl) ≤ 27?480 ± 50 cm(-1), ～2500 cm(-1) lower than that of the sole O-H bond in bare phenol. As a consequence, the vertical excitation energy of the 1(1)πσ* state in catechol is reduced relative to that in phenol, yielding a particularly broad distribution of product vibrations for λ(phot) < 270 nm. This study highlights the interplay between molecular geometry and redistribution of vibrational energy during ultraviolet photolysis of phenols.     

Tunnelling under a conical intersection: application to the product vibrational state distributions in the UV photodissociation of phenols

When phenol is photoexcited to its S(1) (1(1)ππ?) state at wavelengths in the range 257.403 ≤ λ(phot) ≤ 275.133 nm the O-H bond dissociates to yield an H atom and a phenoxyl co-product, with the available energy shared between translation and well characterised product vibration. It is accepted that dissociation is enabled by transfer to an S(2) (1(1)πσ?) state, for which the potential energy surface (PES) is repulsive in the O-H stretch coordinate, R(O-H). This S(2) PES is cut by the S(1) PES near R(O-H) = 1.2 ? and by the S(0) ground state PES near R(O-H) = 2.1 ?, to give two conical intersections (CIs). These have each been invoked-both in theoretical studies and in the interpretation of experimental vibrational activity-but with considerable controversy. This paper revisits the dynamic mechanisms that underlie the photodissociation of phenol and substituted phenols in the light of symmetry restrictions arising from torsional tunnelling degeneracy, which has been neglected hitherto. This places tighter symmetry constraints on the dynamics around the two CIs. The non-rigid molecular symmetry group G(4) necessitates vibronic interactions by a(2) modes to enable coupling at the inner, higher energy (S(1)/S(2)) CI, or by b(1) modes at the outer, lower energy (S(2)/S(0)) CI. The experimental data following excitation through many vibronic levels of the S(1) state of phenol and substituted phenols demonstrate the effective role of the ν(16a) (a(2)) ring torsional mode in enabling O-H bond fission. This requires tunnelling under the S(1)/S(2) CI, with a hindering barrier of ～5000 cm(-1) and with the associated geometric phase effect. Quantum dynamic calculations using new ab initio PESs provide quantitative justification for this conclusion. The fates of other excited S(1) modes are also rationalised, revealing both spectator modes and intramolecular vibrational redistribution between modes. A common feature in many cases is the observation of an extended, odd-number only, progression in product mode ν(16a) (i.e., the parent mode which enables S(1)/S(2) tunnelling), which we explain as a Franck-Condon consequence of a major change in the active vibration frequency. These comprehensive results serve to confirm the hypothesis that O-H fission following excitation to the S(1) state involves tunnelling under the S(1)/S(2) CI-in accord with conclusions reached from a recent correlation of the excited state lifetimes of phenol (and many substituted phenols) with the corresponding vertical energy gaps between their S(1) and S(2) PESs.     

Near-UV photolysis of substituted phenols. Part II. 4-, 3- and 2-methylphenol

The photodissociation of jet-cooled 4-, 3- and 2-methylphenol molecules has been investigated using the experimental techniques of resonance enhanced multiphoton ionisation and H (Rydberg) atom photofragment translational spectroscopy. O-H bond fission is found to occur, via a repulsive (1)pisigma state, in a manner analogous to that occurring in phenol and 4-fluorophenol. Excitation to the (1)pipi manifold results in H-atom loss either directly (via a (1)pipi/(1)pisigma conical intersection) or indirectly, following internal conversion to the ground state and subsequent coupling to the (1)pisigma state via a second conical intersection at extended O-H bond lengths. The resulting methylphenoxyl radicals are created with specific vibrational excitation, reflecting the nuclear distortions required to access the (1)pisigma potential energy surface and the geometry changes induced by subsequent H atom loss. The position of the methyl group on the benzene ring is observed to influence the product vibrational energy disposal-not least through its influence on the mode(s) that are activated as a result of coupling to the repulsive (1)pisigma state. O-H bond strengths are reported for 4-, 3- and 2-methylphenol. These are in good agreement with values derived from recent combustion calorimetry studies and serve to highlight the relative destabilisation of the radical caused by methyl substitution at the 3-position.     

Density functional study of the sigma and pi bond activation at the Pd=X (X = Sn, Si, C) bonds of the (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd=XH2 complexes. Is the bond cleavage homolytic or heterolytic?

The mechanism for the activation of the sigma bonds, the O-H of H2O, C-H of CH4, and the H-H of H2, and the pi bonds, the C[triple bond]C of C2H2, C=C of C2H4, and the C=O of HCHO, at the Pd=X (X = Sn, Si, C) bonds of the model complexes (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd=XH2 5 has been theoretically investigated using a density functional method (B3LYP). The reaction is significantly affected by the electronic nature of the Pd=X bond, and the mechanism is changed depending on the atom X. The activation of the O-H bond with the lone pair electron is heterolytic at the Pd=X (X = Sn, Si) bonds, while it is homolytic at the Pd=C bond. The C-H and H-H bonds without the lone pair electron are also heterolytically activated at the Pd=X bonds independent of the atom X, where the hydrogen is extracted as a proton by the Pd atom in the case of X = Sn, Si and by the C atom in the case of X=C because the nucleophile is switched between the Pd and X atoms depending on the atom X. In contrast, the pi bond activation of C[triple bond]C and C=C at the Pd=Sn bond proceeds homolytically, and is accompanied by the rotation of the (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd group around the Pd-Sn axis to successfully complete the reaction by both the electron donation from the pi orbital to Sn p orbital and the back-donation from the Pd dpi orbital to the pi orbital. On the other hand, the activation of the C=O pi bond with the lone pair electron at the Pd=Sn bond has two reaction pathways: one is homolytic with the rotation of the (H2PC2H4PH2)Pd group and the other is heterolytic without the rotation. The role of the ligands controlling the activation mechanism, which is heterolytic or homolytic, is discussed.     

Imaging studies of the photodissociation of H2S+ cations. II

Ion imaging methods have been used to explore the photodissociation dynamics of state-selected H(2)S(+) and D(2)S(+) cations. Predissociation following one photon excitation to the A (2)A(1) state at wavelengths (385< or =lambda(phot)< or =420 nm) in the vicinity of the first dissociation threshold results in formation of ground state S(+) fragment ions; the partner H(2)(D(2)) fragments are deduced to be rotationally "cold." Two photon dissociation processes are also observed, resonance enhanced at the energy of one absorbed photon by the predissociating A state levels. Two photon excitation at these wavelengths is deduced to populate an excited state of (2)A(1) symmetry, which dissociates to electronically excited S(+)((2)D) products, together with vibrationally excited H(2)(D(2)) cofragments. Ground state SH(+)(SD(+)) fragments, attributable to a one photon dissociation process, are observed once lambda(phot)< or =325 nm. Two photon induced production of SH(+)(SD(+)) fragments is also observed, at all wavelengths studied (i.e., at all lambda(phot)< or =420 nm). These SH(+)(SD(+)) fragments are deduced to be formed in their singlet (i.e., a (1)Delta and b (1)Sigma(+)) excited states, with high levels of rotational excitation. The observed product branching and energy disposals are discussed within the context of the (limited) available knowledge relating to the excited electronic states of the H(2)S(+) cation.     

Competing (1)πσ* mediated dynamics in mequinol: O-H versus O-CH(3) photodissociation pathways

Deactivation of excited electronic states through coupling to dissociative (1)πσ* states in heteroaromatic systems has received considerable attention in recent years, particularly as a mechanism that contributes to the ultraviolet (UV) photostability of numerous aromatic biomolecules and their chromophores. Recent studies have expanded upon this work to look at more complex species, which involves understanding competing dynamics on two different (1)πσ* potential energy surfaces (PESs) localized on different heteroatom hydride coordinates (O-H and N-H bonds) within the same molecule. In a similar spirit, the work presented here utilizes ultrafast time-resolved velocity map ion imaging to study competing dissociation pathways along (1)πσ* PESs in mequinol (p-methoxyphenol), localized at O-H and O-CH(3) bonds yielding H atoms or CH(3) radicals, respectively, over an excitation wavelength range of 298-238 nm and at 200 nm. H atom elimination is found to be operative via either tunneling under a conical intersection (CI) (298 ≥ λ ≥ 280 nm) or ultrafast internal conversion through appropriate CIs (λ ≤ 245 nm), both of which provide mechanisms for coupling onto the dissociative state associated with the O-H bond. In the intermediate wavelength range of 280 ≥ λ ≥ 245 nm, mediated H atom elimination is not observed. In contrast, we find that state driven CH(3) radical elimination is only observed in the excitation range 264 ≥ λ ≥ 238 nm. Interpretation of these experimental results is guided by: (i) high level complete active space with second order perturbation theory (CASPT2) calculations, which provide 1-D potential energy cuts of the ground and low lying singlet excited electronic states along the O-H and O-CH(3) bond coordinates; and (ii) calculated excitation energies using CASPT2 and the equation-of-motion coupled cluster with singles and doubles excitations (EOM-CCSD) formalism. From these comprehensive studies, we find that the dynamics along the O-H coordinate generally mimic H atom elimination previously observed in phenol, whereas O-CH(3) bond fission in mequinol appears to present notably different behavior to the CH(3) elimination dynamics previously observed in anisole (methoxybenzene).     

Fluorescence and ultraviolet absorption spectra and structure of coumaran and its ring-puckering potential energy function in the S1(pi,pi*) excited state

The fluorescence excitation (jet cooled), single vibrational level fluorescence, and the ultraviolet absorption spectra of coumaran associated with its S1(pi,pi*) electronic excited state have been recorded and analyzed. The assignment of more than 70 transitions has allowed a detailed energy map of both the S0 and S1 states of the ring-puckering (nu45) vibration to be determined in the excited states of nine other vibrations, including the ring-flapping (nu43) and ring-twisting (nu44) vibrations. Despite some interaction with nu43 and nu44, a one-dimensional potential energy function for the ring puckering very nicely predicts the experimentally determined energy level spacings. In the S1(pi,pi*) state coumaran is quasiplanar with a barrier to planarity of 34 cm(-1) and with energy minima at puckering angles of +/-14 degrees. The corresponding ground state (S0) values are 154 cm(-1) and +/-25 degrees . As is the case with the related molecules indan, phthalan, and 1,3-benzodioxole, the angle strain in the five-membered ring increases upon the pi-->pi* transition within the benzene ring and this increases the rigidity of the attached ring. Theoretical calculations predict the expected increases of the carbon-carbon bond lengths of the benzene ring in S1, and they predict a barrier of 21 cm(-1) for this state. The bond length increases at the bridgehead carbon-carbon bond upon electron excitation to the S1(pi,pi*) state give rise to angle changes which result in greater angle strain and a nearly planar molecule.     

Ultraviolet photodissociation dynamics of the SH radical

Ultraviolet (UV) photodissociation dynamics of jet-cooled SH radical (in X 2pi(3/2), nu"=0-2) is studied in the photolysis wavelength region of 216-232 nm using high-n Rydberg atom time-of-flight technique. In this wavelength region, anisotropy beta parameter of the H-atom product is approximately -1, and spin-orbit branching fractions of the S(3P(J)) product are close to S(3P2):S(3P1):S(3P0)=0.51:0.36:0.13. The UV photolysis of SH is via a direct dissociation and is initiated on the repulsive 2sigma- potential-energy curve in the Franck-Condon region after the perpendicular transition 2sigma(-)-X 2pi. The S(3P(J)) product fine-structure state distribution approaches that in the sudden limit dissociation on the single repulsive 2sigma- state, but it is also affected by the nonadiabatic couplings among the repulsive 4sigma-, 2sigma-, and 4pi states, which redistribute the photodissociation flux from the initially excited 2sigma- state to the 4sigma- and 4pi states. The bond dissociation energy D0(S-H)=29,245+/-25 cm(-1) is obtained.     

Electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of nitrido-osmium(VI) complexes with acetylide ligands [OsN(C[Triple Bond]CR)4]- R=H, CH3, and Ph by density functional theory calculation

Electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of a series of nitrido-osmium (VI) complex ions with acetylide ligands, [OsN(C[Triple Bond]CR)(4)](-) (R[Double Bond]H, (1), CH(3) (2), and Ph (3)) were investigated theoretically. The structures of the complexes were fully optimized at the B3LYP and CIS level for the ground states and excited states, respectively. The calculated bond lengths of Os[Triple Bond]N (1.639 A in 1, 1.642 A in 2, and 1.643 A in 3) and Os-C (2.040 A in 1, 2.043 A in 2, and 2.042 A in 3) in ground state agree well with the experimental results. The bond length of Os[Triple Bond]N bond is lengthened by ca. 0.13 A in the A (3)B(2) excited state compared to the (1)A(1) ground state, which is consistent with the lower vibration frequency of nu(Os-N) ( approximately 780 cm(-1)) in the excited state than that ( approximately 1175 cm(-1)) in the ground state. Among the calculated dipole-allowed absorptions at lambda>250 nm, the intense absorption at 261 nm for 1, 266 nm for 2, and 300 nm for 3 were attributed to the (1)[pi(C[Triple Bond]C)]-->(1)[pi(*)(N[Triple Bond]Os)+pi(*)(C[Triple Bond]C)], (1)[pi(C[Triple Bond]C)]-->(1)[pi(*)(N[Triple Bond]Os)+pi(*)(C[Triple Bond]C)], and (1)[pi(C[Triple Bond]CPh)]-->(1)[pi(*)(N[Triple Bond]Os)+pi(*)(C[Triple Bond]CPh)], respectively. The lowest energy absorption at lambda(max)=393 nm for 1, 400 nm for 2, and 400 nm for 3 were assigned as (1)[d(xy)(Os)+pi(C[Triple Bond]C)]-->(1)[pi(*)(N[Triple Bond]Os)+pi(*)(C[Triple Bond]C)], (1)[d(xy)(Os)+pi(C[Triple Bond]C)]-->(1)[pi(*)(N[Triple Bond]Os)+pi(*)(C[Triple Bond]C)], and (1)[d(xy)(Os)+pi(C[Triple Bond]CPh)]-->(1)[pi(*)(N[Triple Bond]Os)+pi(*)(C[Triple Bond]CPh)], respectively. The calculated phosphorescence emission at lambda(max)=581 nm for 1, 588 nm for 2, and 609 nm for 3 were originated from (3)[(pi(*)(N[Triple Bond]Os)+pi(*)(C[Triple Bond]C))(1)(d(xy)(Os)+pi(C[Triple Bond]C))(1)], (3)[(pi(*)(N[Triple Bond]Os)+pi(*)(C[Triple Bond]C))(1)(d(xy)(Os)+pi(C[Triple Bond]C))(1)], and (3)[(pi(*)(N[Triple Bond]Os)+pi(*)(C[Triple Bond]CPh))(1)(d(xy)(Os)+pi(C[Triple Bond]CPh))(1)] excited state, respectively.     

H and D release in approximately 243.1 nm photolysis of vibrationally excited 3nu1, 4nu1, and 4nuCD overtones of propyne-d3

The photofragmentation of propyne-d(3), D(3)C-C[Triple Bond]C-H, following approximately 243.1 nm photodissociation of rovibrationally excited molecules promoted to the second (3nu(1)) and third (4nu(1)) acetylenic C-H overtone and to the third (4nu(CD)) methyl overtone has been investigated. The resulting H and D photoproducts were detected via (2+1) resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization. The measured room-temperature photoacoustic and jet-cooled action spectra allowed derivation of the molecular parameters of the C-H overtones and the Doppler profiles revealed the translational energies associated with the H(D) photofragments and the H to D branching ratios. Propensities toward the latter were encountered, while the translational energy disposal in both photofragments was essentially identical for a given preexcitation. This behavior agrees with that found for the almost isoenergetic 193.3 nm photolysis of propyne [Qadiri et al., J. Chem. Phys. 119, 12842 (2003)], but contradicts previous findings. The bond fission of C-H and C-D is preceded by internal conversion to, and isomerization on, the ground-state potential energy surface (PES), followed by extensive intramolecular vibrational redistribution. For molecules preexcited to 3nu(1) and 4nu(1) an additional minor channel opens, where elimination of H occurs directly on the accessed excited PES, while that of D on the ground state.     

Reaction path of UV photolysis of matrix isolated acetyl cyanide: formation and identification of ketenes, zwitterion, and keteneimine intermediates

Irradiations at lambda > 180 nm and lambda > 230 nm of CH3COCN (CD3COCN) trapped in an argon matrix at 10 K have been performed and monitored by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. For both wavelengths, the first photoreaction product is acetyl isocyanide. At lambda > 180 nm acetonitrile and methyl isocyanide are obtained as final products. They are formed by photolysis of acetyl isocyanide and acetyl cyanide, respectively. Unstable intermediates, such as ketene:HCN and ketene:HNC complexes, H2CNCH zwitterion, and H2C2NH keteneimine, not observed in the gas phase, are trapped and identified at our experimental temperature. The complexes have an L-shaped structure with a hydrogen bond between the oxygen atom of ketene and the hydrogen atom of HCN or HNC. A pathway process is proposed and compared with the ones determined in the ground state by ab initio calculations.     

Interstitial OH radicals in F2-laser-irradiated bulk amorphous SiO2

An interstitial hydroxyl radical (HO*) has been generated in bulk amorphous SiO2 (a-SiO2) loaded with interstitial H2O molecules and exposed to F2 laser light (hnu = 7.9 eV, lambda = 157 nm) at 77 K. F2 laser light dissociates an O-H bond of interstitial H2O into a pair of hydrogen atom (H0) and HO*. The resultant H0 disappears below 150 K, whereas HO* is detectable after thermal annealing at 200 K. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signal of the interstitial HO* recorded at 77 K is similar to that formed in amorphous ice, indicating that HO* is confined in an orthorhombic field by hydrogen bonding, probably with adjacent H2O molecules, silanol (SiOH) groups, and bridging oxygen atoms in the a-SiO2 network.