Stepwise solvatochromism of ketyl anions in the gas phase: photodetachment excitation spectroscopy of benzophenone and acetophenone radical anions microsolvated with methanol

Electronic absorption spectra of bare and methanol-solvated radical anions of benzophenone ((C6H5)2CO) and acetophenone ((C6H5)CH3CO) were measured by monitoring the photodetachment efficiency in the gas phase. Strong absorption bands due to autodetachment after transitions to bound excited states were observed. Stepwise spectral shifts approaching the limit of the condensed phase spectra were found to occur as the cluster size increases. In the case of benzophenone radical anion, the solvation of two methanol molecules exhibits the near convergence to the limit, representing the full coordination with the solvent molecules around the carbonyl group. For the acetophenone case, the coordination number was not apparently determined because of their relatively small shifts. Relationships between hydrogen bonding and electronic structure are analyzed for the spectral shifts with the aid of calculations based on density functional theory. The calculational results show that the coordination angle of the solvent molecule is affected mostly by steric hindrance around the carbonyl group, and that there is no evidence for reorientation due to specific hydrogen bonding interaction with the singly occupied orbital, which has been formerly persisted for an interpretation of the transient absorption following pulse radiolysis in alcoholic solutions. An alternative possibility involving deformation with respect to intramolecular coordinates is discussed.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of radical anions

The photoelectron spectroscopy of a number of radical anions has been investigated. We find the following electron affinities: EA(C₃) =1.981 ±0.020 eV, EA(C₃H) = 1.858 ±0.023 eV, EA(C₃H₂) = 1.794 ± 0.025 eV, EA(C₃O) = 1.34±0.15 eV, EA(C₃O₂) = 0.85±0.15 eV, EA(C₄O)= 2.05±0.15 eV, and EA(CS₂) = 0.895± 0.020 eV. The structure and bonding for each of these ions is discussed.     

Probing the vibrational spectroscopy of the deprotonated thymine radical by photodetachment and state-selective autodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy via dipole-bound states

Deprotonated thymine can exist in two different forms, depending on which of its two N sites is deprotonated: N1[T–H]^– or N3[T–H]^–. Here we report a photodetachment study of the N1[T–H]^– isomer cooled in a cryogenic ion trap and the observation of an excited dipole-bound state. Eighteen vibrational levels of the dipole-bound state are observed, and its vibrational ground state is found to be 238 ± 5 cm^–1 below the detachment threshold of N1[T–H]^–. The electron affinity of the deprotonated thymine radical (N1[T–H]˙) is measured accurately to be 26 322 ± 5 cm^–1 (3.2635 ± 0.0006 eV). By tuning the detachment laser to the sixteen vibrational levels of the dipole-bound state that are above the detachment threshold, highly non-Franck–Condon resonant-enhanced photoelectron spectra are obtained due to state- and mode-selective vibrational autodetachment. Much richer vibrational information is obtained for the deprotonated thymine radical from the photodetachment and resonant-enhanced photoelectron spectroscopy. Eleven fundamental vibrational frequencies in the low-frequency regime are obtained for the N1[T–H]˙ radical, including the two lowest-frequency internal rotational modes of the methyl group at 70 ± 8 cm^–1 and 92 ± 5 cm^–1.     

Gas phase vibrational spectroscopy of mass-selected vanadium oxide anions

The vibrational spectra of vanadium oxide anions ranging from V(2)O(6)(-) to V(8)O(20)(-) are studied in the region from 555 to 1670 cm(-1) by infrared multiple photon photodissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy. The cluster structures are assigned and structural trends identified by comparison of the experimental IRMPD spectra with simulated linear IR absorption spectra derived from density functional calculations, aided by energy calculations at higher levels of theory. Overall, the IR absorption of the V(m)O(n)(-) clusters can be grouped in three spectral regions. The transitions of (i) superoxo, (ii) vanadyl and (iii) V-O-V and V-O single bond modes are found at approximately 1100 cm(-1), 1020 to 870 cm(-1), and 950 to 580 cm(-1), respectively. A structural transition from open structures, including at least one vanadium atom forming two vanadyl bonds, to caged structures, with only one vanadyl bond per vanadium atom, is observed in-between tri- and tetravanadium oxide anions. Both the closed shell (V(2)O(5))(2,3)VO(3)(-) and open shell (V(2)O(5))(2-4)(-) anions prefer cage-like structures. The (V(2)O(5))(3,4)(-) anions have symmetry-broken minimum energy structures (C(s)) connected by low-energy transition structures of C(2v) symmetry. These double well potentials for V-O-V modes lead to IR transitions substantially red-shifted from their harmonic values. For the oxygen rich clusters, the IRMPD spectra prove the presence of a superoxo group in V(2)O(7)(-), but the absence of the expected peroxo group in V(4)O(11)(-). For V(4)O(11)(-), use of a genetic algorithm was necessary for finding a non-intuitive energy minimum structure with sufficient agreement between experiment and theory.     

Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of mononuclear iron carbonyl anions

The infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of mass-selected mononuclear iron carbonyl anions Fe(CO)(n)(-) (n = 2-8) were studied in the carbonyl stretching frequency region. The FeCO(-) anion does not fragment when excited with infrared light. Only a single IR active band was observed for the Fe(CO)(2)(-) and Fe(CO)(3)(-) anions, consistent with theoretical predictions that these complexes have linear D(∞h) and planar D(3h) symmetry, respectively. The Fe(CO)(4)(-) anion is the most intense peak in the mass spectra and was characterized to have a completed coordination sphere with high stability. Anion clusters larger than n = 4 were determined to involve a Fe(CO)(4)(-) core anion that is progressively solvated by external CO molecules. Three CO stretching vibrational fundamentals were observed for the Fe(CO)(4)(-) core anion, indicating that the Fe(CO)(4)(-) anion has a C(3v) structure. All the carbonyl stretching frequencies of the Fe(CO)(n)(-) anion complexes are red-shifted with respect to those of the corresponding neutrals.     

Infrared vibrational spectroscopy of cis-dichloroethene in Rydberg states

We have measured the infrared (IR) vibrational spectrum for cis-dichloroethene (cis-ClCH[Double Bond]CHCl) in excited Rydberg states with the effective principal quantum numbers n(*)=9, 13, 17, 21, 28, and 55 using the vacuum ultraviolet-IR-photoinduced Rydberg ionization (VUV-IR-PIRI) scheme. Although the IR frequencies observed for the vibrational bands nu(11) (*) (asymmetric C-H stretch) and nu(12) (*) (symmetric C-H stretch) are essentially unchanged for different n(*) states, suggesting that the IR absorption predominantly involves the ion core and that the Rydberg electron behaves as a spectator; the intensity ratio for the nu(11) (*) and nu(12) (*) bands [R(nu(11) (*)nu(12) (*))] is found to decrease smoothly as n(*) is increased. This trend is consistent with the results of a model ab initio quantum calculation of R(nu(11) (*)nu(12) (*)) for excited cis-ClCH[Double Bond]CHCl in n(*)=3-18 states and the MP26-311++G(2df,p) calculations of R(nu(11)nu(12)) and R(nu(11) (+)nu(12) (+)), where R(nu(11)nu(12))[R(nu(11) (+)nu(12) (+))] represents the intensity ratio of the nu(11)(nu(11) (+)) asymmetric C-H stretching to the nu(12)(nu(12) (+)) symmetric C-H stretching vibrational bands for cis-ClCH[Double Bond]CHCl (cis-ClCH[Double Bond]CHCl(+)). We have also measured the IR-VUV-photoion (IR-VUV-PI) and IR-VUV-pulsed field ionization-photoelectron depletion (IR-VUV-PFI-PED) spectra for cis-ClCH[Double Bond]CHCl. These spectra are consistent with ab initio calculations, indicating that the IR absorption cross section for the nu(12) band is negligibly small compared to that for the nu(11) band. While the VUV-IR-PIRI measurements have allowed the determination of nu(11) (+)=3067+/-2 cm(-1), nu(12) (+)=3090+/-2 cm(-1), and R(nu(11) (+)nu(12) (+)) approximately 1.3 for cis-ClCH=CHCl(+), the IR-VUV-PI and IR-VUV-PFI-PED measurements have provided the value nu(11)=3088.5+/-0.2 cm(-1) for cis-ClCH=CHCl.     

Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of sodium and potassium chlorate anions

The structures of gas‐phase, metal chlorate anions with the formula [M(ClO₃)₂]^?, M = Na and K, were determined using tandem mass spectrometry and infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy. Structural assignments for both anions are based on comparisons of the experimental vibrational spectra for the two species with those predicted by density functional theory (DFT) and involve conformations that feature either bidentate or tridentate coordination of the cation by chlorate. Our results strongly suggest that a structure in which both chlorate anions are bidentate ligands is preferred for [Na(ClO₃)₂]^?. However, for [K(ClO₃)₂]^? the best agreement between experimental and theoretical spectra is obtained from a composite of predicted spectra for which the chlorate anions are either both bidentate or both tridentate ligands. In general, we find that the overall accuracy of DFT calculations for prediction of IR spectra is dependent on both functional and basis set, with best agreement achieved using frequencies generated at the B3LYP/6‐311+g(3df) level of theory. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Infrared vibrational spectroscopy study of the conformational mobility of fluoroalkylbenzoic acids

Structural aspects of polymorphism are studied for homologous series of alkylbenzoic acids with a completely or partially fluorinated alkyl radical. IR absorption spectra were measured in the range 60-4000 cm⁻¹ at 100–500 K. The spectra were interpreted by computer simulation on a PC with LEV-100 software realizing the fragmentary approach to solving the mechanical and optoelectronic problems by the method of M. V. Volkenshtein, M. A. El’yashevich, L. A. Gribov, and B. I. Stepanov. The previous assumptions that the samples possess conformational mobility and are conformationally nonhomogeneous are confirmed by comparing the spectra of the title compounds measured at different temperatures with those calculated for conformer models with different degrees of twisting of fluoroalkyl radicals and their different orientations relative to the other part of the complex. N. G. Chernyshevskii Saratov State University. Institute of Physics, Ukrainian Academy of Sciences (Kiev). Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 522–528, May–June, 1998. This work was supported by RFFR grant No. 97-03-32175a.     

Infrared spectra of permanganate anions in potassium perchlorate matrices: vibrational anharmonicity,effective symmetry and vibrational mode mixing effects

Fourier transform infrared spectra of MnO4- anions isomorphously isolated in potassium perchlorate matrices were recorded at room and low temperature (LT, approximately 100 K). On the basis of the detected second-order vibrational transitions involving the dopant species nu3 mode components, anharmonicity constants and harmonic eigenvalues for these modes were calculated. Despite the fact that, rigorously speaking, the appearance of the spectra of dopant permanganate anions may be explained in terms of a Cs site symmetry, the nu3 stretching region resembles an approximate A1+E splitting (characteristic for a local C3nu or even higher symmetry), which is not expected, even within the latent symmetry approach. We explain such spectral patterns on the basis of vibrational mode mixing (a 'Fermi-like' resonance) of the MnO4- nu1 mode with the nu3, site-group component. With the results of degenerate case stationary perturbation theory, we show that in the present case the Fermi-like resonance is predominantly responsible for the observed spectral features. The appearance of the region of second-order vibrational transitions in the spectra of dopant permanganate anions may be better explained in terms of the (rigorous) crystallographic Cs site group (corresponding to the crystallographic Pnma space group), instead of the 'latent' (effective) symmetry site group C2nu (corresponding to the latent symmetry space group Imma).     

Infrared action spectroscopy and dissociation dynamics of the HOOO radical

The HOOO radical has long been postulated to be an important intermediate in atmospherically relevant reactions and was recently deemed a significant sink for OH radicals in the tropopause region. In the present experiments, HOOO radicals are generated in a pulsed supersonic expansion by the association of O(2) and photolytically generated OH radicals, and the spectral signature and vibrational predissociation dynamics are investigated via IR action spectroscopy, an IR-UV double resonance technique. Rotationally resolved IR action spectra are obtained for trans-HOOO in the fundamental (nu(OH)) and overtone (2nu(OH)) OH stretching regions at 3569.30 and 6974.18 cm(-1), respectively. The IR spectra exhibit homogeneous line broadening, characteristic of a approximately 26-ps lifetime, which is attributed to intramolecular vibrational redistribution and/or predissociation to OH and O2 products. In addition, an unstructured feature is observed in both the OH fundamental and overtone regions of HOOO, which is likely due to cis-HOOO. The nascent OH X(2)Pi, v = 0 or v = 1, products following vibrational predissociation of HOOO, nu(OH) or 2nu(OH), respectively, have been investigated using saturated laser-induced fluorescence measurements. A distinct preference for population of Pi(A') Lambda-doublets in OH was observed and is indicative of a planar dissociation of trans-HOOO in which the symmetry of the bonding orbital is maintained.     

Temperature dependence of the mean autodetachment lifetime of the p-benzoquinone molecular radical anion

Experimental data previously published from this laboratory (Asfandiarov NL, Pshenichnyuk SA, Fokin AI, Nafikova EP. Chem. Phys. 2004; 298: 263), on the temperature dependence of the mean autodetachment lifetime of the p-benzoquinone molecular radical anion, were analyzed in the framework of a simple statistical model. This model is a simplification of the well-known semiempirical approach elaborated by Christophorou et al. (Christophorou LG, Hadjiantoniou A, Carter JG. J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. II 1973; 69: 1722). Evaluation of the vibrational energy storage of the target molecule and anion was made in a quantum approximation following a published procedure (Matejcik S, M?rk TD, Spanel P, Smith D, Jaffke T, Illenberger E. J. Chem. Phys. 1994; 102: 2516). The results obtained are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data.     

Vibrational spectroscopy of nitroalkane chains using electron autodetachment and ar predissociation

If the binding energy of an excess electron is lower than some of the vibrational levels of its host anion, vibrational excitation can lead to autodetachment. We use excitation of CH stretching modes in nitroalkane anions (2700-3000 cm(-1)), where the excess electron is localized predominantly on the NO2 group. We present data on nitroalkane anions of various chain lengths, showing that this technique is a valid approach to the vibrational spectroscopy of such systems extending to nitroalkane anions at least the size of nitropentane. We compare spectra taken by using vibrational autodetachment with spectra obtained by monitoring Ar evaporation from Ar solvated nitroalkane anions. The spectra of nitromethane and nitroethane are assigned on the basis of ab initio calculations with a detailed analysis of Fermi resonances of CH stretching fundamentals with overtones and combination bands of HCH bending modes.     

Electron kinetic energies from vibrationally promoted surface exoemission: evidence for a vibrational autodetachment mechanism

We report kinetic energy distributions of exoelectrons produced by collisions of highly vibrationally excited NO molecules with a low work function Cs dosed Au(111) surface. These measurements show that energy dissipation pathways involving nonadiabatic conversion of vibrational energy to electronic energy can result in electronic excitation of more than 3 eV, consistent with the available vibrational energy. We measured the dependence of the electron energy distributions on the translational and vibrational energy of the incident NO and find a clear positive correlation between final electron kinetic energy and initial vibrational excitation and a weak but observable inverse dependence of electron kinetic energy on initial translational energy. These observations are consistent with a vibrational autodetachment mechanism, where an electron is transferred to NO near its outer vibrational turning point and ejected near its inner vibrational turning point. Within the context of this model, we estimate the NO-to-surface distance for electron transfer.     

Scaled quantum chemical studies on the vibrational spectra of 4-bromo benzonitrile

The vibrational spectra of 4-bromo benzonitrile have been reported. The fundamental vibrational frequencies and intensity of vibrational bands were evaluated using density functional theory (DFT) with the standard B3LYP/6-311+G basis set combination and were scaled using various scale factors which yielded a good agreement between observed and calculated frequencies. The vibrational spectra were interpreted with the aid of normal coordinate analysis. The results of the calculations were applied to simulated infrared and Raman spectra of the title compound which showed excellent agreement with the observed spectra.     

Towards numerical vibrational spectroscopy

From the mathematical standpoint, it is possible to reduce a spectral study to the solution of the so-called inverse spectral problems. In practice, the inverse problem is solved through consistent comparison of the spectrum of the model with the experimental spectrum, the degree of closeness between theoretical and experimental spectra providing a quality criterion for the solution. The model may be characterized by different levels of complexity. This paper discusses the course of recent developments in theoretical spectroscopy, the present state-of-the-art, and forecasts future union of experimental and theoretical methods.     

INDO study of bent radical anions

The INDO method has been used to calculate the ¹³C and β-proton coupling constants of some carboxyl anion radicals. It is concluded that the deviation from planarity in these radicals is approximately 6°. It is proposed that these radicals constitute models for the formation of tetrahedral intermediates in addition reactions of a nucleophile to a carbonyl group.     

Infrared laser spectroscopy of uracil and thymine in helium nanodroplets: vibrational transition moment angle study

Vibrational spectra are reported in the N-H stretching region for uracil and thymine monomers in helium nanodroplets. Each monomer shows only a single isomer, the global minimum, in agreement with previous experimental and theoretical studies. The assignment of the infrared vibrational bands in the spectra is aided by the measurement of the corresponding vibrational transition moment angles (VTMAs) and ab initio frequency calculations. The ambiguity in the VTMA assignment of the N3H band for the uracil monomer is explained by the presence of dimer bands, which are overlapped with the monomer band.