Conformers, infrared spectrum and UV-induced photochemistry of matrix-isolated furfuryl alcohol

The infrared spectra of furfuryl alcohol (2-furanmethanol, FFA) were investigated for FFA monomers isolated in low-temperature argon matrices. The structural interpretation of the obtained experimental spectra was assisted by analysis of the molecule's conformational landscape. According to the DFT(B3LYP)/6-311++G(d,p) calculations, five different minimum energy structures were found on the potential energy surface of the molecule. They can be defined by the orientation of the OCCO and CCOH dihedral angles: GG', GG, TG, TT, GT (G = +gauche, G' = -gauche, T = trans) and have a symmetry equivalent configuration: GG' = G'G, GG = G'G', TG = TG', GT = G'T. When zero-point energies are taken into account, only three (GG', GG, and TT) out of the five unique minima correspond to stable structures. The most stable conformer GG' (OCCO, 72.7°; CCOH, -59.3°), which in gas phase at room temperature accounts for ～65% of the total population, was the only form isolated in the argon matrices at 14 K. The other two relevant forms convert into conformer GG' during matrix deposition. The low temperature glassy and crystalline states of FFA were also obtained and their infrared spectra assigned, suggesting the sole existence of the GG' conformer also in these phases. The photochemical behavior of FFA induced in situ, by tunable UV-laser, was also studied. The longest wavelength resulting in photochemical changes in the structure of the irradiated sample was found to be λ = 229 nm. Such UV irradiation of the matrix-isolated FFA led to production of formaldehyde and different isomeric C(4)H(4)O species. Cycloprop-2-ene-1-carbaldehyde and buta-2,3-dienal (two conformers) are the main initial C(4)H(4)O photoproducts formed upon short-time excitation at λ = 229 nm. But-3-ynal (two conformers) was the principal photoproduct resulting from prolonged excitation at λ= 229 nm, being consumed upon irradiation at shorter wavelengths (λ < 227.5 nm). Vinyl ketene is produced from FFA in the trans conformation and undergoes isomerization to the cis form upon irradiation at λ < 227.5 nm. Cyclopropene, propyne, allene, and CO were also identified in the irradiated matrices (in particular at the later stages of irradiation), suggesting that the photoproduced aldehydes partially decarbonylate during the performed photochemical experiments.     

The MCD spectrum of matrix-isolated osmium tetroxide

The MCD spectrum of OsO₄ in argon and nitrogen matrices at ≈ 20 K has been measured and is remarkably similar to the first band of MnO₄⁻ in KIO₄ at 4.2 K. From this it is concluded that there are two electronic origins in the region 30 000–39 000 cm⁻¹ and the spectrum of OsO₄ is reassigned accordingly.     

The magnetic circular dichroism spectrum of matrix-isolated oxygen

The magnetic circular dichroism spectrum of atmospheric oxygen condensed on a cold window has been measured in the region from 240–270 nm. Analysis of the spectrum shows that the transition observed is ³Σ_g^? → ³Δ_u. The corresponding absorption has previously been observed only in the gas phase using very long path lengths or high pressures.     

The magnetic circular dichroism spectrum of matrix-isolated iodine

The magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of iodine and iodine/benzene mixtures in nitrogen and argon matrices have been measured. The matrices containing iodine alone are of two types and the nature of the iodine in these matrices is discussed. The MCD evidence suggests that the matrix-isolated benzene-iodine charge-transfer complex is not axial.     

The magnetic circular dichroism spectrum of matrix-isolated TaO

TaO has been matrix-isolated in an argon matrix at 14 K and 24 K and studied spectroscopically in the visible region (300–850 nm). Both adsorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra have been recorded and analyzed. A determination of the total angular momentum quantum numbers (ω) for fourteen excited electronic states has been made. The g factors for the ground ²Δ_{$\text{3}\text{2}$} and excited ²φ_{$\text{5}\text{2}$} states have been determined from a moment analysis of the MCD and absorption spectra of the 450.3 nm band. The present study indicates the power of the combination of magnetic circular dichroism and matrix isolation for the assignment of excited electronic states of high temperature molecules.     

Propargyl radical: ab initio anharmonic modes and the polarized infrared absorption spectra of matrix-isolated HCCCH2

The propargyl radical has twelve fundamental vibrational modes, gamma(vib)(HCCCH2) = 5a1 [symbol: see text] 3b1 [symbol: see text] 4b2, and nine have been detected in a cryogenic matrix. Ab initio coupled-cluster anharmonic force field calculations were used to help guide some of the assignments. The experimental HC=:C-:CH2 matrix frequencies (cm(-1)) and polarizations are a1 modes--3308.5 +/- 0.5, 3028.3 +/- 0.6, 1935.4 +/- 0.4, 1440.4 +/- 0.5, 1061.6 +/- 0.8; b1 modes--686.6 +/- 0.4, 483.6 +/- 0.5; b2 modes--1016.7 +/- 0.4, 620 +/- 2. We recommend a complete set of gas-phase vibrational frequencies for the propargyl radical, HC=:C-:CH2 2 X (2)B1. From an analysis of the vibrational spectra, the small electric dipole moment, mu(D)(HCCCH2) = 0.150 D, and the large resonance energy (HCCCH2), roughly 11 kcal mol(-1), we conclude that propargyl is a completely delocalized hydrocarbon radical and is best written as HC=:C-:CH2.     

Rotationally resolved infrared spectroscopy of a jet-cooled phenyl radical in the gas phase

The first high-resolution IR spectra of a jet-cooled phenyl radical are reported, obtained via direct absorption laser spectroscopy in a slit-jet discharge supersonic expansion. The observed A-type band arises from fundamental excitation of the out-of-phase symmetric CH stretch mode (nu19) of b2 symmetry. Unambiguous spectral assignment of the rotational structure to the phenyl radical is facilitated by comparison with precision 2-line combination differences from Fourier transform microwave and direct absorption mm-wave measurements on the ground state [R. J. McMahon et al., Astrophys. J., 2003, 590, L61]. Least-squares fits to an asymmetric top Hamiltonian permit the upper-state rotational constants to be obtained. The corresponding gas-phase vibrational band origin at 3071.8904 (10) cm(-1) is in remarkably good agreement with previous matrix isolation studies [A. V. Friderichsen et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2001, 123, 1977], and indicates only a relatively minor red shift (approximately 0.9 cm(-1)) between the gas and Ar matrix phase environment. Such studies offer considerable promise for further high resolution IR study of other aromatic radical species of particular relevance to combustion phenomena and interstellar chemistry.     

The infrared spectrum,light-induced infrared linear dichroism and conformational analysis of phenyl azide in solid nitrogen at 12 K

Phenyl azide (PhN₃) and an isotopic mixture of Ph¹⁴N₃ and Ph¹⁵N¹⁴N¹⁴N were isolated in N₂ matrices at 12 K, and i.r. spectra in the range 4000-400 cm⁻¹ were recorded. Photolysis of matrix-isolated PhN₃ with plane-polarized light generated samples with pronounced linear dichroism in the i.r. spectrum, interpretation of which led to the conclusion that PhN₃ most probably adopts a planar or nearly planar conformation in these conditions. Both the ¹⁵N-shifts and the observed pattern of i.r. dichroism confirm previous assignments made for the liquid-phase Raman spectrum of PhN₃.     

The infrared spectrum of Au-.CO2

The Au-.CO2 ion-molecule complex has been studied by gas phase infrared photodissociation spectroscopy. Several sharp transitions can be identified as combination bands involving the asymmetric stretch vibrational mode of the CO2 ligand. Their frequencies are redshifted by several hundred cm(-1) from the frequencies of free CO2. We discuss our findings in the framework of ab initio and density-functional theory calculations, using anharmonic corrections to predict vibrational transition energies. The infrared spectrum is consistent with the formation of an aurylcarboxylate anion with a strongly bent CO2 subunit.     

The far infrared spectrum of nitroethane

The far infrared spectrum of nitroethane measured by Founer spectroscopy in the 8-60 cm^?1 is presented and interpreted in terms of a rigid frame-rigid top model for free internal rotation group. Ratational-internal rotational energy levels and absolute absorption intensities are calculated to first order for an optimal choice of molecule-fixed axes. The computed absorption based on a permanent dipole moment of 3.4 debye along the NC direction is in excellent agreement with the observed band.     

The infrared spectrum of californium-249

The Cf-249 spectrum between 3700 and 12,000 cm^?1 has been recorded. The strongest 90 lines are listed.     

Ultraviolet photodissociation dynamics of the phenyl radical

Ultraviolet (UV) photodissociation dynamics of jet-cooled phenyl radicals (C(6)H(5) and C(6)D(5)) are studied in the photolysis wavelength region of 215-268 nm using high-n Rydberg atom time-of-flight and resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization techniques. The phenyl radicals are produced from 193-nm photolysis of chlorobenzene and bromobenzene precursors. The H-atom photofragment yield spectra have a broad peak centered around 235 nm and are in good agreement with the UV absorption spectra of phenyl. The H + C(6)H(4) product translational energy distributions, P(E(T))'s, peak near ~7 kcal/mol, and the fraction of average translational energy in the total excess energy, , is in the range of 0.20-0.35 from 215 to 268 nm. The H-atom product angular distribution is isotropic. The dissociation rates are in the range of 10(7)-10(8) s(-1) with internal energy from 30 to 46 kcal/mol above the threshold of the lowest energy channel H + o-C(6)H(4) (ortho-benzyne), comparable with the rates from the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus theory. The results from the fully deuterated phenyl radical are identical. The dissociation mechanism is consistent with production of H + o-C(6)H(4), as the main channel from unimolecular decomposition of the ground electronic state phenyl radical following internal conversion of the electronically excited state.     

The ESR spectrum of the cis-stilbene radical anion

The ESR spectrum of the cis-stilbene radical anion has been observed under conditions where its conversion into the trans isomer is relatively slow. Assignment of the proton coupling constants has been based on studies on the 4,4′- and 7,7′- dideuterio derivatives, as well as on comparison with structurally related species. The values for the radical anions of cis- and trans-stilbene are very similar, except those (2.68 and 4.49 G, respectively) arising from protons in the 7,7′-positions. The difference is attributed to strong distortions of the π-system in the C1C7′C1′ fragment of the cis isomer.     

The far-infrared rotational spectrum of the CF radical

The rotational spectrum of CF in its ground electronic state was studied around 1000 GHz, using a tunable far-infrared source. Seven transitions were observed originating from the ²Π_1/2 and ²Π_3/2 substates. The hyperfine and Λ-type splittings were resolved. The results were combined with gas-phase electron resonance and infrared diode laser spectra to determine all pertinent molecular constants.     

The standard redox potential of the phenyl radical/anion couple

The voltammogram of aryldiazonium tetrafluoroborates in acetonitrile (ACN), at low concentration, shows a first one-electron wave followed at a more negative potential by a small second wave; this last one corresponds to the reduction of the radical formed at the level of the first wave. Simulation of the voltammogram permits one to determine the standard redox potential of the radical/anion couple Eo(Ph./Ph-) = 0.05 V/SCE and the reduction mechanism of the diazonium cation. An electron transfer concerted with the cleavage of the C-N bond furnishes the aryl radical; this radical undergoes two competitive reactions: reduction at the electrode and H-atom transfer.     

The far infrared spectrum of pyridine n-oxide

The two lowest internal modes of pyridine N-oxide and three of its lattice oscillations in the solid state at room temperature are reported for the first time on the basis of careful far infrared investigations from 33 to 525 cm^?1.