Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and density functional theory studies on the reactions of yttrium and lanthanum hydrides with carbon monoxide

Laser-ablated yttrium and lanthanum hydrides have been co-deposited at 4 K with carbon monoxide in excess argon. Products, such as HYCO, (HY)2CO, HLaCO, HLa(CO)2, and H2LaCO, have been formed in the present experiments and characterized using infrared spectroscopy on the basis of the results of the isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, stepwise annealing, the change of reagent concentration and laser energy, and the comparison with theoretical predictions. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on these molecules. The agreement between the experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts supports the identification of these molecules from the matrix infrared spectra. Plausible reaction mechanisms have been proposed to account for the formation of these molecules.     

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and density functional theoretical studies on the reactions of lanthanum atoms with acetylene

Laser-ablated lanthanum atoms have been codeposited at 4 K with acetylene in excess argon. Products, La(C 2H 2), LaCCH 2, HLaCCH, and La 2(C 2H 2), have been formed in the present experiments and characterized using infrared spectroscopy on the basis of the results of the isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, stepwise annealing, the change of reagent concentration and laser energy, and the comparison with theoretical predictions. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on these molecules. The agreement between the experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts supports the identification of these molecules from the matrix infrared spectra. Plausible reaction mechanisms have been proposed to account for the formation of these molecules.     

Infrared spectroscopic and density functional theory studies on the reactions of yttrium and lanthanum atoms with nitrous oxide in excess argon

Reactions of laser-ablated Y and La atoms with N2O molecules in excess argon have been investigated using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. Metal monoxide-dinitrogen complexes, OM(N2) (M = Y, La) and OYNN, have been formed during sample deposition and identified on the basis of isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, and CCl4-doping experiments. The OYNN(+) and OLaNN(+) cation complexes appear during sample deposition and increase visibly upon broad-band irradiation (lambda > 250 nm) at the expense of the neutral metal monoxide-dinitrogen complexes. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on the products. The agreement between the experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts supports the identification of these species from the matrix infrared spectra. Furthermore, a plausible reaction mechanism for the formation of these products has been proposed.     

Matrix infrared spectra and density functional theory calculations of molybdenum hydrides

Laser-ablated Mo atoms react with H2 upon condensation in excess argon, neon, and hydrogen. The molybdenum hydrides MoH, MoH2, MoH4, and MoH6 are identified by isotopic substitution (H2, D2, HD, H2 + D2) and by comparison with vibrational frequencies calculated by density functional theory. The MoH2 molecule is bent, MoH4 is tetrahedral, and MoH6 appears to have the distorted trigonal prism structure.     

Matrix infrared spectroscopic and computational studies on the reactions of osmium and iron atoms with carbon monoxide and dinitrogen mixtures

Reactions of laser-ablated osmium and iron atoms with CO and N(2) mixtures in excess neon have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. The (NN)(x)MCO (M = Os, Fe; x = 1, 2) complexes are formed as reaction products during sample deposition and on annealing. These reaction products are characterized on the basis of the results of isotopic substitution, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, stepwise annealing, broad-band irradiation, and change of reagent concentration and laser energy. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on these products. Overall agreement between the experimental and calculated results supports the identification of these species from the matrix infrared spectra. The bonding characteristics and reaction mechanisms have been discussed. The M-C bonds are stronger than the M-N bonds in the same molecules. The formation of metal carbonyl dinitrogen complexes from the addition of CO to metal dinitrogen complexes is found to be more energetically favorable than that from the reactions of N(2) with metal carbonyls.     

Infrared spectroscopic and density functional theory studies on the CO dissociation by scandium and yttrium dimers

Reactions of laser-ablated scandium and yttrium atoms with dilute carbon monoxide molecules in solid argon have been investigated using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. On the basis of the results of the isotopic substitution, the change of laser power and CO concentration and the comparison with density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the absorption at 1193.4 cm(-1) is assigned to the C-O stretching vibration of the Sc(2)[eta(2)(mu(2)-C,O)] molecule, which has a single bridging CO that is tilted to the side. This CO-activated molecule undergoes ultraviolet-visible photoinduced rearrangement to the CO-dissociated molecule, c-Sc(2)(mu-C)(mu-O). The cyclic c-Sc(2)(mu-C)(mu-O) molecule has a bridging carbon on one side of the Sc(2) unit and a bridging oxygen on the other. The analogous Y(2)[eta(2)(mu(2)-C,O)] molecule has not been observed, but the CO-dissociated c-Y(2)(mu-C)(muO) molecule has been observed in the Y + CO experiments. DFT calculations of the geometry structures, vibrational frequencies, and IR intensities strongly support the assignments. The CO activation mechanism has also been discussed. Our experimental and theoretical results schematically depict an activation process to CO dissociation.     

Infrared spectroscopic and density functional theory study on the reactions of lanthanum atoms with carbon dioxide in rare-gas matrices

Reactions of laser-ablated La atoms with CO2 molecules in solid argon and neon have been investigated using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. On the basis of isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, and CCl4-doping experiments, absorptions at 1839.9 and 753.6 cm-1 in argon and 1855.9 and 771.3 cm-1 in neon are assigned to the C-O and La-O stretching vibrations of the OLaCO molecule, respectively. Ultraviolet-visible photoinduced isomerization of OLaCO to La-(eta2-OC)O and OLa-(eta2-CO) have been observed under different wavelength photolyses in the solid matrix. The neon matrix experiments give the C-O and La-O stretching vibrations of the OLaCO- anion at 1769.5 and 779.3 cm-1, respectively. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on these products, which support the experimental assignments of the infrared spectra. The present study reveals that the C-O stretching vibrational frequencies of OMCO decrease from Sc to La, which indicates an increase in metal d orbital --> CO pi* back-donation in this series.     

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical studies on the reactions of niobium and tantalum mono- and dioxides with methane

The reactions of niobium and tantalum monoxides and dioxides with methane have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical calculations. The niobium and tantalum oxide molecules were prepared by laser evaporation of Nb(2)O(5) and Ta(2)O(5) bulk targets. The niobium monoxide molecule interacted with methane to form the ONb(CH(4)) complex, which was predicted to have C(3)(v)() symmetry with the metal atom coordinated to three hydrogen atoms of the methane molecule. The ONb(CH(4)) complex rearranged to the CH(3)Nb(O)H isomer upon 300 nm < lambda < 580 nm irradiation. The analogous OTa(CH(4)) complex was not observed, but the CH(3)Ta(O)H molecule was produced upon UV irradiation. The niobium and tantalum dioxide molecules reacted with methane to form the O(2)Nb(CH(4)) and O(2)Ta(CH(4)) complexes with C(s)() symmetry, which underwent photochemical rearrangement to the CH(3)Nb(O)OH and CH(3)Ta(O)OH isomers upon ultraviolet irradiation.     

Matrix infrared spectroscopic and theoretical studies on the reactions of scandium, yttrium, and lanthanide metal atoms with dimethyl ether

Reactions of laser-ablated scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, and several lanthanide metal atoms with dimethyl ether have been studied using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. Identifications of the major products, M(CH(3)OCH(3)) and CH(3)OMCH(3) (M = Sc, Y, La, Ce, Gd, Tb, Yb, and Lu), are supported by experiments with deuterium substitution as well as theoretical calculations. It is found that most ground-state metal atoms react with dimethyl ether to give the M(CH(3)OCH(3)) complexes spontaneously on annealing, which isomerize to the CH(3)OMCH(3) insertion products with visible irradiation. Density functional calculations reveal that the M(CH(3)OCH(3)) complexes possess C(2v) symmetry with metal atoms bound to the oxygen side of dimethyl ether, and bent geometries are found for the inserted CH(3)OMCH(3) molecules with direct M-O and C-O bonds. All of these products have the same ground states as their corresponding metal atoms except for Tb. Although the Lu(CH(3)OCH(3)) complex is predicted to be a stable molecule, it is not observed in the experiment due to the low energy barrier for the subsequent C-O bond insertion reaction.     

Structures and spectroscopic properties of bis(phthalocyaninato) yttrium and lanthanum complexes: theoretical study based on density functional theory calculations

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to describe the molecular structures, molecular orbitals, atomic charges, UV-vis absorption spectra, IR, and Raman spectra of bis(phthalocyaninato) rare earth(III) complexes M(Pc)(2) (M = Y, La) as well as their reduced products [M(Pc)(2)](-) (M = Y, La). Good consistency was found between the calculated results and experimental data. Reduction of the neutral M(Pc)(2) to [M(Pc)(2)]- induces the reorganization of their orbitals and charge distribution and decreases the inter-ring interaction. With the increase of ionic size from Y to La, the inter-ring distance of both the neutral and reduced double-decker complexes M(Pc)(2) and [M(Pc)(2)](-) (M = Y, La) increases, the inter-ring interaction and splitting of the Q bands decrease, and corresponding bands in the IR and Raman spectra show a red shift. The orbital energy level and orbital nature of the frontier orbitals are also described and explained in terms of atomic character. The present work, representing the first systemic DFT study on the bis(phthalocyaninato) yttrium and lanthanum complexes sheds further light on clearly understanding structure and spectroscopic properties of bis(phthalocyaninato) rare earth complexes.     

Matrix infrared spectra and density functional calculations of transition metal hydrides and dihydrogen complexes

Metal hydrides are of considerable importance in chemical synthesis as intermediates in catalytic hydrogenation reactions. Transition metal atoms react with dihydrogen to produce metal dihydrides or dihydrogen complexes and these may be trapped in solid matrix samples for infrared spectroscopic study. The MH(2) or M(H(2)) molecules so formed react further to form higher MH(4), (H(2))MH(2), or M(H(2))(2), and MH(6), (H(2))(2)MH(2), or M(H(2))(3) hydrides or complexes depending on the metal. In this critical review these transition metal and dihydrogen reaction products are surveyed for Groups 3 though 12 and the contrasting behaviour in Groups 6 and 10 is discussed. Minimum energy structures and vibrational frequencies predicted by Density Functional Theory agree with the experimental results, strongly supporting the identification of novel binary transition metal hydride species, which the matrix-isolation method is well-suited to investigate. 104 references are cited.     

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study of the reactions of tantalum oxide molecules with methanol

The reactions of tantalum monoxide (TaO) and dioxide (TaO(2)) molecules with methanol in solid neon were investigated by infrared absorption spectroscopy. The ground-state TaO molecule reacted with CH(3)OH in forming the CH(3)OTa(O)H molecule via the hydroxylic hydrogen atom transfer from methanol to the metal center spontaneously on annealing. The observation of the spontaneous reaction is consistent with theoretical predictions that the OH bond activation process is both thermodynamically exothermic and kinetically facile. In contrast, the TaO(2) molecule reacted with CH(3)OH to give primarily the TaO(2)(CH(3)OH) complex, which further rearranged to the CH(3)OTa(O)OH isomer via the hydroxylic hydrogen atom transfer from methanol to one of oxygen atom of metal dioxide upon visible light excitation.     

Infrared spectroscopic and density functional theory studies on the reactions of cadmium atoms with carbon monoxide in solid argon

Reactions of laser-ablated cadmium atoms with carbon monoxide molecules in solid argon have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. On the basis of isotopic substitution, the absorption at 1858.2 cm(-1) is assigned to the C-O stretching of the CdCO molecule, which is formed during the sample deposition. Cadmium di- and tricarbonyls, Cd(CO)n (n = 2, 3), have not been observed under the same experimental conditions. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on the cadmium carbonyls Cd(CO)n (n = 1-3), which lend strong support to the experimental assignments of the infrared spectra. It is predicted that the CdCO molecule is a linear triplet molecule and its formation involves Cd 5s --> 5p promotion. This promotion increases the Cd-CO bonding by decreasing the sigma repulsion and increasing the Cd 5p orbital --> CO pi back-donation. The absence of cadmium di- and tricarbonyls, Cd(CO)n (n = 2, 3), has also been discussed in some detail.     

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic studies and density functional theory calculations of the MNN, (MN)2 (M = Y and La), and Y3NN molecules

The reactions of yttrium and lanthanum with dinitrogen were reinvestigated. Laser-ablated yttrium and lanthanum atoms were co-deposited at 4 K with dinitrogen in excess argon, and the low-temperature reactions of Y and La with N2 in solid argon were studied using infrared spectroscopy. The reaction products YNN, (YN)2, LaNN, and (LaN)2 were formed in the present experiments and characterized on the basis of 14N/15N isotopic shifts, mixed isotope splitting patterns, stepwise annealing, change of reagent concentration and laser energy, and comparison with theoretical predictions. Some assignments were made based on a previous report. Density functional theory calculations were performed on these systems to identify possible reaction products. The agreement between experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts of the MNN and (MN)2 (M = Y and La) molecules supports the identification of these molecules from the matrix infrared spectra. Plausible reaction mechanisms were proposed for the formation of these molecules along with tentative identification of the Y3NN molecule.     

Vibrational spectroscopic and density functional theory studies of chloranil-imidazole interaction

The present work reports vibrational spectra and density functional theory calculations for chloranil, imidazole and their complexes. The experimentally observed infrared and Raman bands have been assigned with the help of calculated vibrational frequencies and potential energy distribution analysis. Some bands of chloranil and imidazole have been found to shift on the complex formation due to partial electronic charge transfer from imidazole to chloranil. The charge transfer between these molecules is also corroborated by the electronic absorption spectroscopy and calculations. The theoretical values of the interaction energy of various possible chloranil-imidazole interactions suggest that the two molecules interact preferably via N and H atoms of imidazole and CO group of chloranil with their molecular planes almost perpendicular to each other.     

Matrix infrared spectroscopic and theoretical studies on the reactions of early lanthanoid atoms with nitrous oxide in excess argon

Reactions of laser-ablated early lanthanoid atoms (Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu, except for radioactive Pm) with N 2O molecules in excess argon have been investigated using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. Lanthanoid monoxide-dinitrogen complexes, OLn(N 2) (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm), are observed during sample deposition and identified on the basis of isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, and CCl 4-doping experiments, whereas no new product is observed for Eu. The OLnNN (+) (Ln = Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm) cations appear during sample deposition and increase visibly upon broadband irradiation (lambda > 250 nm) at the expense of the neutral OLn(N 2) complexes. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on the new products, which support identification of the OLn(N 2) and OLnNN (+) complexes from the matrix infrared spectra.     

Raman spectroscopic and density functional theory studies on a benzothiazole-2-thione derivative

The two tautomers of 7H-[1,3]dioxolo[4′,5′,4,5]benzo[1,2-d]thiazole-6-thione (DBTT) have been investigated by FT-IR and FT-Raman combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP level and 6-311+G** basis sets. On the basis of optimized structures, the harmonic force fields, vibrational frequencies and Raman intensities were calculated and scaled. The assignment of the fundamental vibrations for this molecule in its thione form was performed according to the potential energy distribution (PED) analysis. We have also discussed the adsorption behavior of DBTT on gold by means of SERS and DFT calculations at the same level. It revealed that the DBTT exhibited stable conformation of benzothiazole-2-thione (BTT) form both in solid and on gold surfaces; in addition, DBTT molecule is chemisorbed to the gold through both N and the exocyclic S atoms in its thione form and its molecular plane is perpendicular to the surface as BTT. The results show that the substituted groups in the phenyl ring have changed the characters such as the charge density in heterocyclic atoms and so on, but have little influence on the tautomeric preference of the BTT molecule and adsorption orientation on gold.     

Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical studies on the rotational isomers of orotic acid (6-carboxyuracil)

The infrared spectrum of orotic acid (6-carboxyuracil) isolated in a low-temperature argon matrix is presented, for the first time. This molecule is a key precursor in the biosynthesis of all pyrimidine nucleotides in living organisms. The comprehensive theoretical studies on the rotational isomerism of orotic acid have been performed by an ab initio MP2 and three density functional methods (B3LYP, M06 and M06-2X). All theoretical methods have predicted that four possible conformers of orotic acid may exist in the gas phase. The calculated barrier height for rotation of the COOH group around the CC bond (37 kJ mol⁻¹, M06-2X) is much lower than the barriers for the OH rotation around the CO bond (47 and 51 kJ mol⁻¹). The Gibbs free energies, relative stabilities and the mole fractions of isomers at different temperatures, in the gas phase, have been determined.The anharmonic vibrational frequencies, infrared intensities and potential energy distributions (PEDs) were computed for two isomers of the lowest energy (A and B) using the B3LYP method with the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set. The theoretical anharmonic IR spectra are in excellent agreement with the experiment. It is concluded that the most stable conformer (A) is the predominant form in a low-temperature argon matrix, while the mole fraction of the less stable B conformer can be assessed as ca. 15%. No spectral indications of the presence of other isomers (C and D) in the matrix were detected.     

Matrix infrared spectroscopic study of magnesium carbene and carbenoid radicals and analysis of their bonding with density functional calculations

Magnesium atoms generated by laser ablation were reacted with methyl halides and methane diluted in argon. Among the reaction products were the metal carbene species, MgCH2, and carbenoid radicals, XMgCH2 (where X = H, F, Cl, and Br). This investigation reports matrix infrared spectra for Mg carbene and carbenoid species in a cold matrix, and electronic structure calculations for these and related beryllium species. An unusual bonding interaction for the MCH2 species is described in which the bonding in the alpha and beta manifolds is qualitatively different. Vibrational frequencies and analysis of the results of density functional calculations provide information about the nature of the bonding in these species and allow for a comparison to the well-known transition metal Fischer- and Schrock-type carbene complexes. The special difficulties of computational modeling of vibrations in highly polar molecules are discussed.     

Infrared spectroscopic and density functional theory study on the reactions of rhodium and cobalt atoms with carbon dioxide in rare-gas matrixes

Reactions of laser-ablated rhodium and cobalt atoms with carbon dioxide molecules in solid argon and neon have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. The OMCO, O2MCO, OMCO(-) (M = Rh, Co), OCo2CO, and OCoCO(+) molecules have been formed and characterized on the basis of isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, ultraviolet irradiation, CCl4-doping experiments, and the change of laser power. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on these products. The overall agreement between the experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts supports the identification of these products from the matrix infrared spectrum.