Experimental investigation of the Jahn-Teller effect in the ground and excited electronic states of the tropyl radical. Part II. Vibrational analysis of the A 2E"3-X 2E"2 electronic transition

Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) and laser-excited dispersed fluorescence (LEDF) spectra of the cycloheptatrienyl (tropyl) radical C7H7 have been observed under supersonic jet-cooling conditions. Assignment of the LIF excitation spectrum yields detailed information about the A-state vibronic structure. The LEDF emission was collected by pumping different vibronic bands of the A 2E"3<--X 2E"2 electronic spectrum. Analysis of the LEDF spectra yields valuable information about the vibronic levels of the X 2E"2 state. The X- and A-state vibronic structures characterize the Jahn-Teller distortion of the respective potential energy surfaces. A thorough analysis reveals observable Jahn-Teller activity in three of the four e'3 modes for the X 2E"2 state and two of the three e'1 modes for the A 2E"3 state and provides values for their deperturbed vibrational frequencies as well as linear Jahn-Teller coupling constants. The molecular parameters characterizing the Jahn-Teller interaction in the X and A states of C7H7 are compared to theoretical results and to those previously obtained for C5H5 and C6H6+.     

Mass analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of p-fluorostyrene

Adiabatic ionization energy (AIE) and two-color threshold ion vibrational spectra of p-fluorostyrene have been measured by mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) method via three different intermediate levels in the first excited state, vibrationless S1 origin, 42(1)41(1), and 23(1) vibronic levels. Features of the ion vibrational spectra indicates that the geometry of the molecular ion including the conformation of the vinyl chain in the ionic ground state (D0) is almost identical to that of its neutral ground state (S0), and ionization has very little effect on the vibrational potentials of the aromatic ring modes. Comparison of the AIE with the reported value of styrene shows that fluorination at the para position of the aromatic ring has little effect on energy of the electron ejected in ionization process from the styrene chromophore.     

Communication: A new spectroscopic window on hydroxyl radicals using UV + VUV resonant ionization

A 1 + 1' multiphoton ionization (MPI) detection scheme for OH radicals is presented. The spectroscopic approach combines initial excitation on the well-characterized A(2)Σ(+)-X(2)Π band system with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) ionization via autoionizing Rydberg states that converge on the OH(+) A(3)Π ion state. Jet-cooled MPI spectra on the (1,0) and (2,0) bands show anomalous rotational line intensities, while initial excitation on the (0,0) band does not lead to detectable OH(+) ions. The onset of ionization with the (1,0) band is attributed to an energetic threshold; the combined UV + VUV photon energies are above the first member of the autoionizing (A(3)Π)nd Rydberg series. Comparison of the OH 1 + 1' MPI signal with that from single photon VUV ionization of NO indicates that the cross section for photoionization from OH A(2)Σ(+), v' = 1 is on the order of 10(-17) cm(2).     

What is the best DFT functional for vibronic calculations? A comparison of the calculated vibronic structure of the S1-S0 transition of phenylacetylene with cavity ringdown band intensities

The sensitivity of vibronic calculations to electronic structure methods and basis sets is explored and compared to accurate relative intensities of the vibrational bands of phenylacetylene in the S(1)(A(1)B(2)) ← S(0)(X(1)A(1)) transition. To provide a better measure of vibrational band intensities, the spectrum was recorded by cavity ringdown absorption spectroscopy up to energies of 2000 cm(-1) above the band origin in a slit jet sample. The sample rotational temperature was estimated to be about 30 K, but the vibrational temperature was higher, permitting the assignment of many vibrational hot bands. The vibronic structure of the electronic transition was simulated using a combination of time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) electronic structure codes, Franck-Condon integral calculations, and a second-order vibronic model developed previously [Johnson, P. M.; Xu, H. F.; Sears, T. J. J. Chem. Phys. 2006, 125, 164331]. The density functional theory (DFT) functionals B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP, and LC-BLYP were explored. The long-range-corrected functionals, CAM-B3LYP and LC-BLYP, produced better values for the equilibrium geometry transition moment, but overemphasized the vibronic coupling for some normal modes, while B3LYP provided better-balanced vibronic coupling but a poor equilibrium transition moment. Enlarging the basis set made very little difference. The cavity ringdown measurements show that earlier intensities derived from resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectra have relative intensity errors.     

The Jahn-Teller effect in CH(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) and CD(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) studied by zero kinetic energy photoelectron spectroscopy

The Jahn-Teller effect in CH(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) and CD(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) has been found experimentally by zero kinetic energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy using coherent extreme ultraviolet (XUV) radiation. The vibronic bands of CH(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) and CD(3)CN(+) (X(2)E) at about 4500 cm(-1) above the ground states have been recorded. The spectra consist mainly of the Jahn-Teller active C-C[triple bond]N bending (v(8)), the CN stretching (v(2)), the CH(3) (CD(3)) deforming (v(6)), and the C-C stretching (v(4)) vibronic excitations. The Jahn-Teller active vibronic bands (v(8)) have been assigned with a harmonic model including linear and quadratic Jahn-Teller coupling terms, taking into account only the single mode vibronic excitation. The ionization potentials of CH(3)CN and CD(3)CN have also been determined, and their values are 12.2040(+/-0.001) and 12.2286(+/-0.001) eV, respectively.     

Two-color resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization study of the lowest Rydberg p state of bis(eta6-benzene)chromium and its deuterated derivatives

Two-color resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectra of jet-cooled (eta(6)-C(6)H(6))(2)Cr(1), (eta(6)-C(6)D(6))(2)Cr(2), and (eta(6)-C(6)D(6))(eta(6)-C(6)D(5)H)Cr(3) have been measured with use of the 3d(z)2-->R4p(x,y) Rydberg transition as the first step of the electronic excitation. The 0(0) (0) Rydberg component shifts by 59 and 54 cm(-1) to red when one goes from 1 to 2 and 3, respectively. Surprisingly, the REMPI spectra of 1-3 show very rich vibronic structures revealing both totally symmetric vibrations and degenerate vibrational modes. Presence of intense peaks corresponding to the e(2g) modes in the spectra of 1 and 2 is indicative of Jahn-Teller coupling in the R4p(x,y) Rydberg state. Additional REMPI resonances appear on going from 1 and 2 to 3 as a result of the symmetry reduction. The vibronic components in the spectra of 1-3 were assigned on the basis of the selection rules and comparison with the vibrational frequencies of the 1 and 2 ground-state molecules. The frequencies of over 10 normal vibrations have been determined for the gas-phase 1-3 Rydberg-state molecules from the REMPI experiment. The wavenumber corresponding to the lowest-energy mode (the ring torsion vibration) appears to be 40 cm(-1) in 1 and 35 cm(-1) in the deuterated complexes. The REMPI peaks are homogeneously broadened. The lower lifetime limits for the upper-state components increase on going from the vibrationless level to higher-lying vibronic states and on going from 1 to the deuterated derivatives.     

Mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of pyridine. Structural distortion in the first excited state

For the first time, vibrational spectra of the pyridine cation in the electronic ground state have been measured via several intermediate states (0(0), 16b0(2), 16b0(4), 6a0(1), 6b(1), 16a0(1), 10a0(1) and 12(1)) by Mass-Analyzed Threshold Ionization (MATI) spectroscopy. From the MATI spectra, the adiabatic ionization energy of pyridine has been determined to be 74,185 +/- 6 cm(-1) (9.1978 +/- 0.0008 eV). Several vibronic modes in the ionic ground state could be assigned for the first time. An intensity gain of vibrations having b1 symmetry could be observed by activating the ion ground state. Also, a breakdown of the "delta nu = 0 propensity rule" for the excitation via the 16b(2) and 16b(4) states of the first excited states are displayed in the recorded spectra. In conjunction with ab initio calculations these observations can be explained by a strong geometrical distortion along the 16b vibration in the first excited state, leading to a "boat distortion".     

Rotational state selection of a CH3I+ ion beam using vacuum ultraviolet-mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy: characterization using photodissociation spectroscopy

The A(2)A(1)<--X(2)E(3/2) transition of CH(3)I(+) was investigated by photodissociation (PD) of the cation generated by one-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI). Compared to the PD spectrum obtained by excitation of the cation in the main 0-0 band in the MATI spectrum, those obtained by excitation of the cations in the satellite structures showed substantially simplified rotational structures for nondegenerate vibronic bands. Spectral simplification occurred because each satellite consisted mostly of cations with one K quantum number. Spectroscopic constants in the ground vibronic state and in the 2(1)3(5), 2(1)3(8), 3(9), and 3(13) nondegenerate vibrational states in A(2)A(1) were determined via spectral fitting. Also, those in the 2(1)3(n)6(1) (n=1?) degenerate state, which had been reported previously, was improved. The K quantum number in each satellite determined by the present high resolution study was compatible with the prediction by the symmetry selection rule for photoionization. That is, the K quantum number of the ion core in high Rydberg states accessed by one-photon excitation was found to be conserved upon pulsed field ionization. This work demonstrates generation of mass-selected, vibronically selected, and K-selected ion beam by one-photon MATI.     

An examination of structural characteristics of phenylacetylene by vibronic and rovibronic simulations of ab initio data

The structural properties of phenylacetylene have been investigated in the S(0)((1)A(1)) neutral ground and S(1)((1)B(2)) and S(2)((1)A(1)) singlet excited states and the D(0)((2)B(1)) cationic state using both rovibronic and multidimensional Franck-Condon simulations from data determined via correlated ab initio methods. Results are compared to experimental and ab initio data reported in the literature. (10,10)-CASSCF and a hybrid CASSCF/SACCI frequency analysis using the cc-pVDZ Dunning basis set have been employed to produce vibronic simulations of REMPI/FES, dispersed fluorescence, TPES and MATI spectra. Calculated rotational constants are used where appropriate to compare to rotationally resolved experimental studies. Whilst the simulations are of generally good quality, it is apparent that the distortion of the ring along the long axis upon electronic excitation is underestimated, resulting in smaller predicted changes in ipso and para CCC bond angles and weaker activities in the 6a and 9a modes compared with experiment. Simulations of one-photon MATI spectra on the other hand, which do not rely on excited state methodologies, compare very well with experiment, suggesting that the neutral and cationic ground state geometries are quite accurate, as are the predicted changes in geometry accompanying ionisation. Simulated rotational and vibrational profiles, as well as other calculated physical data, show good agreement with the numerous experimental and computational studies of phenylacetylene in the literature.     

Excitation and emission spectra of the 2A″2 ↽ → 2E″1 system of the gas-phase cyclopentadienyl radical

Laser-induced fluorescence excitation and resolved emission spectra of the gas-phase cyclopentadienyl radical are reported. Emission spectra following single vibronic level excitation of prominent absorption features from 338.0 to 325.6 nm are recorded and catalogued. The collision-free fluorescence lifetime is in the range of 12–20 ns. Efficient vibrational relaxation of the ²A″₂ state by SF₆ is reported. Based upon analysis of the excitation and emission spectra it is concluded that there are two or more Jahn-Teller active modes in C₅H₅. The measured spectra and our analyses agree qualitatively with recent calculations on C₅H₅ that assume three active modes with Jahn-Teller coupling parameters, λ² of 0.6–1.9.     

Diradicals, antiaromaticity, and the pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect: electronic and rovibronic structures of the cyclopentadienyl cation

The electronic and rovibronic structures of the cyclopentadienyl cation (C(5)H(5) (+)) and its fully deuterated isotopomer (C(5)D(5) (+)) have been investigated by pulsed-field-ionization zero-kinetic-energy (PFI-ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. The vibronic structure in the two lowest electronic states of the cation has been determined using single-photon ionization from the X (2)E(1) (") ground neutral state and 1+1(') resonant two-photon ionization via several vibrational levels of the A (2)A(2) (") excited state. The cyclopentadienyl cation possesses a triplet ground electronic state (X(+) (3)A(2) (')) of D(5h) equilibrium geometry and a first excited singlet state (a(+) (1)E(2) (')) distorted by a pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect. A complete analysis of the Emultiply sign in circlee Jahn-Teller effect and of the (A+E)multiply sign in circlee pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect in the a(+) (1)E(2) (') state has been performed. This state is subject to a very weak linear Jahn-Teller effect and to an unusually strong pseudo-Jahn-Teller effect. Vibronic calculations have enabled us to partially assign the vibronic structure and determine the adiabatic singlet-triplet interval (1534+/-6 cm(-1)). The experimental spectra, a group-theoretical analysis of the vibronic coupling mechanisms, and ab initio calculations were used to establish the topology of the singlet potential energy surfaces and to characterize the pseudorotational motion of the cation on the lowest singlet potential energy surface. The analysis of the rovibronic photoionization dynamics in rotationally resolved spectra and the study of the variation of the intensity distribution with the intermediate vibrational level show that a Herzberg-Teller mechanism is responsible for the observation of the forbidden a(+) (1)E(2) (')<--A (2)A(2) (") photoionizing transition.     

Jahn-Teller effect in van der Waals complexes; Ar-C6H6 + and Ar-C6D6 +

The two asymptotically degenerate potential energy surfaces of argon interacting with the X (2)E(1g) ground state benzene(+) cation were calculated ab initio from the interaction energy of the neutral Ar-benzene complex given by Koch et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 111, 198 (1999)] and the difference of the geometry-dependent ionization energies of the complex and the benzene monomer computed by the outer valence Green's function method. Coinciding minima in the two potential surfaces of the ionic complex occur for Ar on the C(6v) symmetry axis of benzene(+) (the z axis) at z(e)=3.506 A. The binding energy D(e) of 520 cm(-1) is only 34% larger than the value for the neutral Ar-benzene complex. The higher one of the two surfaces is similar in shape to the neutral Ar-benzene potential, the lower potential is much flatter in the (x,y) bend direction. Nonadiabatic (Jahn-Teller) coupling was taken into account by transformation of the two adiabatic potentials to a two-by-two matrix of diabatic potentials. This transformation is based on the assumption that the adiabatic states of the Ar-benzene(+) complex geometrically follow the Ar atom. Ab initio calculations of the nonadiabatic coupling matrix element between the adiabatic states with the two-state-averaged CAS-SCF(5,6) method confirmed the validity of this assumption. The bound vibronic states of both Ar-C(6)H(6) (+) and Ar-C(6)D(6) (+) were computed with this two-state diabatic model in a basis of three-dimensional harmonic oscillator functions for the van der Waals modes. The binding energy D(0)=480 cm(-1) of the perdeuterated complex agrees well with the experimental upper bound of 485 cm(-1). The ground and excited vibronic levels and wave functions were used, with a simple model dipole function, to generate a theoretical far-infrared spectrum. Strong absorption lines were found at 10.1 cm(-1) (bend) and 47.9 cm(-1) (stretch) that agree well with measurements. The unusually low bend frequency is related to the flatness of the lower adiabatic potential in the (x,y) direction. The van der Waals bend mode of e(1) symmetry is quadratically Jahn-Teller active and shows a large splitting, with vibronic levels of A(1), E(2), and A(2) symmetry at 1.3, 10.1, and 50.2 cm(-1). The level at 1.3 cm(-1) leads to a strong absorption line as well, which could not be measured because it is too close to the monomer line. The level at 50.2 cm(-1) gives rise to weaker absorption. Several other weak lines in the frequency range of 10 to 60 cm(-1) were found.     

Vibronic coupling in naphthalene anion: vibronic coupling density analysis for totally symmetric vibrational modes

Vibronic coupling, or electron-phonon coupling, of naphthalene is calculated. A method of vibronic coupling density analysis, which has been proposed for the vibronic coupling of the Jahn-Teller active modes in a Jahn-Teller molecule, is extended for totally symmetric vibrational modes of a molecule including a non-Jahn-Teller molecule. Contrary to non-totally-symmetric modes, orbital relaxation upon a charge transfer plays a crucial role in the vibronic coupling calculation for the totally symmetric modes. The method is applied for the ground state of the naphthalene anion to compare with that of the benzene anion. The relationship between the vibronic coupling density and a nuclear Fukui function is also discussed.     

A simple rule for prediction of intensities of vibrational overtone spectra

The intensities of vibrational overtone absorption transitions are described in terms of vibronic coupling of the ground molecular state to excited electronic configurations. Model calculations indicate an important role of nuclear geometry of excited electronic states relative to the ground state in determination of molecular overtone spectra. A simple rule for qualitative predictions of the overtone spectra for diatomic molecules or local bond modes of polyatomic molecules is proposed.     

Resonance Raman scattering of rhodamine 6G as calculated by time-dependent density functional theory: vibronic and solvent effects

The geometries, UV-vis absorption spectra, and resonance Raman (RR) intensities have been determined for the S1 and S3 excited states of rhodamine 6G (R6G) in vacuum and ethanol by means of DFT/TDDFT methodologies with the aim of better understanding the structures and properties of the excited states. The RR spectra have been simulated from the vibronic theory of RR scattering as well as within the short-time approximation, while the solvent effects have been modeled using the polarizable continuum model. The S1 and S3 states of R6G present UV-vis absorption bands with similar vibronic structure, i.e., a shoulder at smaller wavelengths, although this shoulder is relatively more intense and more sensitive to the solvent in the case of S3. These differences are corroborated by the larger geometry relaxations upon excitation for S3 and the fact that the charge transfer of S3 is reduced in ethanol. Moreover, the differences between S1 and S3 are magnified when considering the RR spectra. On one hand, the RR spectrum of R6G in resonance with the S0 --> S1 transition presents many transitions of which the relative intensities strongly vary when the excitation wavelength gets closer to the maximum of absorption. The RR spectrum of R6G in resonance with S1 is however little influenced by the solvent. On the other hand, the RR spectrum of R6G in resonance with the S0 --> S3 transition displays only a few bands, strongly depends on the solvent, and is little affected when changing the excitation wavelength within the limits of the absorption band. As a consequence, the short-time approximation is suitable to reproduce the RR spectrum of R6G in resonance with S3 for a broad range of excitation wavelengths, whereas the vibronic theory approach is needed for describing the RR spectrum of R6G in resonance with S1 close to resonance.     

Fine structure of the (S(1)<--S(0)) band origins of phthalocyanine molecules in helium droplets

The laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) excitation spectra of free base phthalocyanine (Pc), Mg-Pc, and Zn-Pc molecules in superfluid helium droplets at T=0.38 K have been studied. The spectra reveal the rich vibronic structure of the S(1)<--S(0) electronic transitions. The band origins of the transitions consist of zero phonon lines accompanied by phonon wings, which originate from simultaneous electronic excitation of the molecule and excitation of the collective modes of the helium surrounding it. The phonon wings have discrete structures suggesting localization of some helium atoms in the neighborhood of the molecules. Zero phonon lines of Mg-Pc and Zn-Pc molecules are split into three components, which are separated by 0.2-0.4 cm(-1). Possible mechanism of splitting involves static or dynamic Jahn-Teller interaction of metal-phthalocyanine molecules in the twofold degenerate S(1)((1)E(u)) state with the helium shell.     

Vibronic structure in the S1-S0 transition of jet-cooled dibenzofuran

Fluorescence excitation spectra of dibenzofuran in a supersonic jet are observed and the vibronic structure is analyzed for the S(1) (1)A(1) (pipi) and S(0) states. An observation of the rotational envelopes reveals that the band is a B-type band. However, it is shown that most of the strong vibronic bands are A-type bands. The intensity arises from vibronic coupling with the S(2) (1)B(2) state. We find a broad emission in the dispersed fluorescence spectrum for the excitation of the high vibrational levels in the S(1) state. This indicates that intramolecular vibrational redistribution (IVR) occurs efficiently in the isolated dibenzofuran molecule.     

C6H and C6D: electronic spectra and Renner-Teller analysis

Rotationally resolved spectra of the B(2)Π - X(2)Π 0(0)(0) electronic origin bands and 11(1)(1) μ(2)Σ-μ(2)Σ vibronic hot band transitions of both C(6)H and C(6)D have been recorded in direct absorption by cavity ring-down spectroscopy through a supersonically expanding planar plasma. For both origin and hot bands accurate spectroscopic parameters are derived from a precise rotational analysis. The origin band measurements extend earlier work and the 11(1)(1) μ(2)Σ-μ(2)Σ vibronic hot bands are discussed here for the first time. The Renner-Teller effect for the lowest bending mode ν(11) is analyzed, yielding the Renner parameters ε(11), vibrational frequencies ω(11), and the true spin-orbit coupling constants A(SO) for both (2)Π electronic states. From the Renner-Teller analysis and spectral intensity measurements as a function of plasma jet temperature, the excitation energy of the lowest-lying 11(1) μ(2)Σ vibronic state of C(6)H is determined to be (11.0 ± 0.8) cm(-1).     

Large amplitude out-of-plane vibrations of 1,3-benzodioxole in the S0 and S1 states: an analysis of fluorescence and excitation spectra by ab initio calculations

We report the analytical expressions of the two-dimensional potential energy surfaces (PES) spanned by the puckering and flapping vibrations in the S0 and S1 states of 1,3-benzodioxole (BDO). Both PES are obtained from S0 and S1 energies computed on a grid of 2500 molecular geometries at the CASPT2 level. Both the S0 and S1 PES are anharmonic, and the planar geometry corresponds to a barrier that separates two minima at nonplanar geometries along the puckering/flapping deformations. Eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the mixed puckering/flapping modes are calculated by the Meyer flexible model. Improved vibronic levels, in better agreement with the observed spectra, are obtained by suitably optimized CASPT2 surfaces. To assign the lower-energy (0-500 cm(-1)) portion of emission and absorption spectra, we evaluate the band intensities by estimating the Franck-Condon factors between the puckering/flapping eigenvectors of the S0 and S1 states. From these calculations, we obtain a satisfactory assignment of the ground state IR spectra and of the fluorescence excitation spectrum. Both assignments are supported by the analysis of the vibrational structures of several single vibronic level (SVL) fluorescence spectra. The successful interpretation of these spectra shows that the S0 and S1 PES that we derive for BDO are substantially correct. The barrier heights in the two states are similar: 125.7 and 190.4 cm(-1) in S0 and in S1, respectively. In S0, the barrier is associated essentially with the puckering motion. In S1, it involves to a considerable extent also the flapping coordinate, whose vibrational frequency is much lower in S1 than in S0. This fact introduces a substantial Duschinsky effect in the S0-S1 transitions of BDO.     

The EEL epectrum of the triplet exciton of C60 and the theoretical analysis of its vibronic structure

The electron energy loss (EEL) spectrum of the triplet exciton of the (111) surface of solid C₆₀ has been recorded at 105 K. Its rich vibronic structure is suggestive of a high degree of molecular distortion that occurs upon excitation. The static Jahn-Teller distortion of the isolated molecule, along the adiabatic potential energy surface of T₁, is determined by quantum-chemical calculations and the relaxed molecular structure is found to belong to the D_5d point group symmetry. The vibrational force field is evaluated at the distorted structure and used to simulate the EEL intensities of phonon-assisted transitions in the strong coupling regime.