Copper and Silver Atoms in the β-Cage of a Zeolite: Model Calculations

The electronic structures of the 4-4 SBU, the β-cage, and the β-cage with two 4-4 SBU's attached to it have been studied by means of EH-MO calculations. No indication of the formation of a band structure has been found. The HOMO region consists of many closely spaced, localized states, 98.6% of them concentrated on the O-atoms. Reversible color changes of Cu⁺¹ and Ag⁺¹ zeolites observed upon hydration-dehydration experiments can be understood as charge-transfer transitions from the HOMO concentrated on the zeolite O-atoms to the metal cations. As soon as the Cu⁺¹ or Ag⁺¹ are partially hydrated, the ns* and np* states are shifted to higher energies. The luminescence observed with dehydrated Cu⁺¹-zeolites X is caused by a 4p*←HOMO absorption, followed by spontaneous 4s*←4p* emission. After a detailed study of a Cu⁺¹ in the 6-6 SBU, we discuss the electronic structure of a β-cage filled with 1,2,4,8, and 9 Cu⁺¹. In each case, the β-cage is found to be too small to allow the formation of a band structure. The levels caused by the added copper are distinctly quantized. Calculations on [Ag₃(H₂O)₃]³⁺ in a β-cage are reported. The direct interaction between the Ag-atoms is significant. As a consequence, the states formed by Ag 5s and 5p atomic orbitals are delocalized over the three Ag-centers. In both the Cu⁺¹ and the Ag⁺¹ zeolites, the ligand-field picture is found to be insufficient to explain the electronic structure, when the metal is coordinated to the zeolite oxygen framework.     

Rydberg states of the K2 molecule studied by laser spectroscopy in a supersonic beam

Rydberg states of potassium dimer have been studied in a crossed laser-molecular beam experiment. The K₂ molecules were formed in a supersonic expansion and excited by low-power cw dye laser. Two different excitation schemes have been used: The first scheme uses a single mode ring dye laser to induce near resonant two-photon transitions while in the second scheme stepwise excitation with two dye lasers is used. In each case excitation of Rydberg levels was detected by monitoring the ionization signal resulting from three-photon absorption. We report a detailed study of 700 two-photon resonances between 625 nm and 650 nm. Most of these signals can be assigned to transitions from the X¹σ _g ⁺ to¹σ _g ⁺ ,¹Π _g , and^1Δ _g states, which are all enhanced by the B¹Π _u intermediate state. Accurate rotational constants are given for the populated vibrational levels of these states. By stepwise excitation of Rydberg levels via theB ¹Π _u state we identify 3 series of Rydberg states as¹Δ _g (4S+nD),¹Σ _g ⁺ (4S+nD), and¹Σ _g ⁺ (4S+nS) with principal quantum numbers 7≦n≦20. Molecular constants of these and other observed but as yet unidentified states are given; quantum defects and dissociation energies are discussed.     

Theoretical description of nuclear quadrupole coupling in light diatomic molecules

A practical procedure for calculation of nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for light diatomic molecules is discussed. The procedure is based on a molecular wave function that explicitly describes nuclear motion. The approach is capable of yielding quadrupole coupling constants for excited rovibrational levels of diatomic molecules in their ground and excited electronic states. An application of the procedure to the X¹Σ⁺_g and B¹Σ⁺_u states of HD and D₂ is presented.     

Separation of different ion structures in atmospheric pressure photoionization-ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (APPI-IMS-MS)

This study demonstrates how positive ion atmospheric pressure photoionization-ion mobility spectrometry-mass spectrometry (APPI-IMS-MS) can be used to produce different ionic forms of an analy te and how these can be separated. When hexane:toluene (9:1) is used as a solvent, 2,6-di-tert-butylpyridine (2,6-DtBPyr) and 2,6-di-tert-4-methylpyridine (2,6-DtB-4-MPyr) efficiently produce radical cations [M]⁺ and protonated [M + H]⁺ molecules, whereas, when the sample solvent is hexane, protonated molecules are mainly formed. Interestingly, radical cations drift slower in the drift tube than the protonated molecules. It was observed that an oxygen adduct ion, [M + O₂]⁺, which was clearly seen in the mass spectra for hexane:toluene (9:1) solutions, shares the same mobility with radical cations, [M]⁺. Therefore, the observed mobility order is most likely explained by oxygen adduct formation, i.e., the radical cation forrning a heavier adduct. For pyridine and 2-tert-butylpyridine, only protonated molecules could be efficiently formed in the conditions used. For 1- and 2-naphthol it was observed that in hexane the protonated molecule typically had a higher intensity than the radical cation, whereas in hexane:toluene (9:1) the radical cation [M]⁺ typically had a higher intensity than the protonated molecule [M + H]⁺. Interestingly, the latter drifts slower than the radical cation [M]⁺, which is the opposite of the drift pattern seen for 2,6-DtBPyr and 2,6-DtB-4-MPyr.     

Analytical energy gradient of high-spin multiplet state calculated by the SAC-CI method

A method of calculating analytical energy gradient of high-spin multiplet state by the SAC-CI (symmetry-adapted-cluster configuration-interaction) method is developed and implemented. This method is expected to be a powerful tool in studying the dynamics and properties of molecules having high spin-multiplicities. Good performance of this method is shown for the quartet states of BH⁺ and C₂⁺ and for the quintet states of C₂. The SAC-CI general-R method is also extended to the high-spin states, and proved to be useful especially for calculating accurate adiabatic excitation energies of the systems having quasi-degenerate orbital structure.     

Hydration of guanidinium depends on its local environment

Hydration of gaseous guanidinium (Gdm⁺) with up to 100 water molecules attached was investigated using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the hydrogen stretch region between 2900 and 3800 cm^–1. Comparisons to IR spectra of low-energy computed structures indicate that at small cluster size, water interacts strongly with Gdm⁺ with three inner shell water molecules each accepting two hydrogen bonds from adjacent NH₂ groups in Gdm⁺. Comparisons to results for tetramethylammonium (TMA⁺) and Na⁺ enable structural information for larger clusters to be obtained. The similarity in the bonded OH region for Gdm(H₂O)₂₀ ⁺ vs. Gdm(H₂O)₁₀₀ ⁺ and the similarity in the bonded OH regions between Gdm⁺ and TMA⁺ but not Na⁺ for clusters with <50 water molecules indicate that Gdm⁺ does not significantly affect the hydrogen-bonding network of water molecules at large size. These results indicate that the hydration around Gdm⁺ changes for clusters with more than about eight water molecules to one in which inner shell water molecules only accept a single H-bond from Gdm⁺. More effective H-bonding drives this change in inner-shell water molecule binding to other water molecules. These results show that hydration of Gdm⁺ depends on its local environment, and that Gdm⁺ will interact with water even more strongly in an environment where water is partially excluded, such as the surface of a protein. This enhanced hydration in a limited solvation environment may provide new insights into the effectiveness of Gdm⁺ as a protein denaturant.     

Hybrid Monte Carlo — Fluid model for studying the effects of nitrogen addition to argon glow discharges

A computer model is developed for describing argon/nitrogen glow discharges. The species taken into account in the model include electrons, Ar atoms in the ground state and in the 4s metastable levels, N₂ molecules in the ground state and in six different electronically excited levels, N atoms, Ar⁺ ions, N⁺, N₂⁺, N₃⁺ and N₄⁺ ions. The fast electrons are simulated with a Monte Carlo model, whereas all other species are treated in a fluid model. 74 different chemical reactions are considered in the model. The calculation results include the densities of all the different plasma species, as well as information on their production and loss processes. The effect of different N₂ additions, in the range between 0.1 and 10%, is investigated.     

Electron impact ionization of CCl4 and SF6 embedded in superfluid helium droplets

Electron impact ionization of helium nano-droplets containing several 10⁴ He atoms and doped with CCl₄ or SF₆ molecules is studied with high-mass resolution. The mass spectra show significant clustering of CCl₄ molecules, less so for SF₆ under our experimental conditions. Positive ion efficiency curves as a function of electron energy indicate complete immersion of the molecules inside the helium droplets in both cases. For CCl₄ we observe the molecular parent cation CCl₄⁺ that preferentially is formed via Penning ionization upon collisions with He*. In contrast, no parent cation SF₆⁺ is seen for He droplets doped with SF₆. The fragmentation patterns for both molecules embedded in He are compared with gas phase studies. Ionization via electron transfer to He⁺ forms highly excited ions that cannot be stabilized by the surrounding He droplet. Besides the atomic fragments F⁺ and Cl⁺ several molecular fragment cations are observed with He atoms attached.     

The energy balance and branching ratios associated with the chemiluminescent reaction Si(3P) + N2O(1Σ) → SiO*(a3Σ+, b3Π, A1Π) + N2(υ″ ⩾ 5) — possible formation of vibrationally excited N2

Silicon atoms react under single collision conditions with N₂O to yield chemiluminescent emission corresponding to the SiO a³Σ⁺?X¹Σ⁺ and b³Π?X¹Σ⁺ intercombination systems and the A¹Π?X¹Σ⁺ band system. A most striking feature of the SiN₂O reaction is the energy balance associated with the formation of SiO product molecules in the A¹Π and b³Π states. A significant energy discrepancy ( = 10000 cm^? = 1.24 eV) is found between the available energy to populate the highest energetically accessible excited-state quantum levels and the highest quantum level from which emission is observed. It is suggested that this discrepancy may result from the formation of vibrationally excited N₂ in a concerted fast SiN₂O reactive encounter. Emission from the SiO a³Σ⁺ (A¹Π) and b³Π(A¹Π, E¹Σ₀⁺) triplet-state manifold results primarily from intensity borrowing involving the indicated singlet states. Perturbation calculations indicate the magnitude of the mixing between the b³Π, A¹Π and E¹Σ₀⁺ states ranges between 0.5 and 2%. On the basis of these calculations, the branching ratio (excited triplet)/(excited singlet) is found to be well in excess of 500. An approximate vibrational population distribution is deduced for those molecules formed in the b³Π state. The present studies are correlated with those of previous workers in order to provide an explanation for diverse relaxation effects as well as observed changes in the ratio of a³Σ⁺ to b³Π emission as a function of pressure and experimental environment. Some of these effects are attributable to a strong coupling between the a³Σ⁺ and b³Π state. Based on the current results, there appears to be little correlation between either (1) the branching ratio for excited state formation or (2) the total absolute cross section for excited-state formation and (3) the measured quantum yield for the SiN₂O reaction. Implications for chemical laser development are considered.     

On the possible charge-transfer dynamics in a simple system: BH(X 1Σ+) + proton

The possible dynamical pathways which are likely to occur in collisional encounters between BH(X ¹Σ⁺) molecules and protons in the centre-of-mass energy range of a few eV are discussed. The DIM model is used to described the potential energy surfaces (PESs) of the BH₂)⁺ system which are most relevant at the considered energies. Possible processes include inelastic scattering and charge-transfer events which can produce different electronic states of BH⁺ ions depending on the relative orientations of colliding partners during encounters.     

The A1Σ+-X1Σ+ band system of the KH and KD molecules

The molecular constants of the A¹Σ⁺ and X¹Σ⁺ states of the KH and KD molecules have been determined using mass relations correspondent to a normal isotope shift. For the calculation we have used data of the laser-induced fluorescence spectrum by the Ar⁺ 4881 Å exciting line photographed in our laboratory, as well as previous data presented by other authors. From the spectroscopic terms, quantum-mechanical PMO-RKR-van der Waals hybrid potentials have been generated. Numerical calculations for the A¹Σ⁺ and X¹Σ⁺ states of the KH and KD species are comapred with quantum-mechanical values obtained by numerical solution of the radial Schrödinger equation. Vibrational wavefunctions appropriate to the potential curves yield values of E_υ and B_υ which are in close agreement with the experimental results. The probability distribution functions and Franck-Condon factors for the A¹Σ⁺ ↔ X¹Σ⁺ band system have also been determined. It is observed that the anomalous behaviour of the A state is clearly revealed with a changed anharmonicity for the lowest vibrational levels.     

Case studies in multiphoton ionisation and dissociation of Na2

Dissociative ionisation of Na₂ via the 3s 3d ¹Σ _g and¹Π _g states has been studied in the near threshold energy regime up to 120 meV above the three particle (Na⁺ + Na(3s) +e ^?) break up limit. A pulsed, cold molecular beam, pulsed laser 2 colour 3 photon resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionisation, and kinetic energy analysis of the fragments by a time of flight method (KETOF) is used. As series of vibrational levels in the two intermediate 3s 3d Rydberg states are excited, slow Na⁺ fragments are observed with a maximum kinetic energy given by the excess energy of the 2 + 1 photon process above threshold, thus confirming a direct dissociative ionisation process. The intensity distribution of the Na⁺ fragments shows a very pronounced maximum at zero kinetic energy, its shape differing somewhat for the¹Σ _g and¹Π _g intermediate states. Also observed is a strong signal of fast fragments arising from a typical 4 photon process which leads to dissociation of Na ₂ ⁺ molecules in their electronic ground state.     

Static secondary ionization mass spectrometry analysis of tributyl phosphate on mineral surfaces: Effect of Fe(II)

The static secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) spectrum of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) on a variety of basalt and quartz samples is affected by the chemical composition of the mineral surface. When TBP is adsorbed on Fe(II)-bearing surfaces, the compound undergoes concomitant H^? abstraction and reduction, followed by the elimination of two C₄H₈ molecules to form an ion at m/z 137⁺. When TBP is adsorbed to quartz or other nonreducing surfaces, it merely undergoes protonation and elimination of three C₄H₈ molecules to form H₄PO ₄ ⁺ . When TBP is adsorbed to Fe(III)-bearing surfaces, it undergoes H^? abstraction and elimination of two C₄H₈ molecules, to form an ion at m/z 153⁺. These conclusions are supported by model studies that employed FeO, Fe₂0₃, TBP, and tributyl phosphite. The results show that the SIMS spectrum is very sensitive to the mode of TBP adsorption on the mineral surface.     

Time-resolved excitation spectra of xenon vapor in the 1500 Å region

Time-integrated and time-resolved excitation spectra, as well as fluorescence lifetimes, have been measured for xenon vapor as a funtion of pressure (for pure xenon as well as with different collision partners: krypton and helium), monitoring the 1700 Å second continuum afterglow. Three very different decay components have been observed: (a) A short component with lifetimes of the order of 2 ns, which is attributed to emission from the upper vibrational levels of the O⁺_u(¹Σ⁺_u) state of Xe*₂. (b) A long component with τ ≈ 60 ns, corresponding to emission from thermally relaxed vibrational levels of the 1_u,O^?_u(³Σ⁺_u) states of Xe*₂. No intervention of any Xe atomic excited species is invoked to explain the excitation and deactivation processes of Xe₂ molecules for these two components of the fluorescence. (c) A very long component with lifetimes in the 150–500 ns range, having a broad ? 1000 cm^?1 - excitation band, centered at ≈ 1470 Å and showing a striking screening and self-absorption effect as well as a strong effect when the partial pressure of a collision partner (Kr, He) is increased. The mechanism of this last excitation is not yet very well understood.     

Interaction of O+ ion with water molecules: A quantum-chemical study

The interaction of O⁺ ion with several (from one to four) water molecules was studied by theab initio (UMP4/4-31G^*) and semiempirical (AM1) quantum-chemical methods. It was found that the energy of binding the O⁺ ion to the first water molecule is appreciably higher than those of binding to the subsequent water molecules. In the complex with a water molecule, whose structure corresponds to that of water oxide, the O⁺ ion retains high reactivity. The barrier to the transfer of O⁺ ion to another water molecule is much lower than the barrier to analogous transfer of O atom from the molecule of water oxide, despite the lower dissociation energy of the H₂O−O bond. Consideration of subsequent interactions with water molecules leads to an increase in the barrier to the transfer of O⁺ ion. The doublet and quadruplet excited states of the O⁺+2 H₂O system were also studied. In these cases, the formation energies are well described by the ion-dipole model. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 6, pp. 981–988, June, 2000.     

The kinetics of free radicals generated by IR laser photolysis. II. Reactions of C2(X 1Σ+g), C2(a 3Πu), C3(X̄ 1Σ+g) and CN(X 2Σ+) with O2

The 300 K reactions of O₂ with C₂(X ¹Σ⁺_g), C₂(a ³ Π_u), C₃(X? ¹Σ⁺_g) and CN(X ²Σ⁺), which are generated via IR multiple photon dissociation (MPD), are reported. From the spectrally resolved chemiluminescence produced via the IR MPD of C₂H₃CN in the presence of O₂, CO molecules in the a ³Σ⁺, d ³Δ_i, and e ³Σ^? states were identified, as well as CH(A ²Δ) and CN(B ²Σ⁺) radicals. Observation of time resolved chemiluminescence reveals that the electronically excited CO molecules are formed via the single-step reactions C₂(X ¹Σ⁺_g, a ³Π_u) + O₂ → CO(X ¹Σ⁺ + CO(T), where T denotes are electronically excited triplet state of CO. The rate coefficients for the removal of C₂(X ¹Σ⁺_g) and C₂(a ³Π_u) by O₂ were determined both from laser induced fluorescence of C₂(X ¹Σ⁺_g) and C₂(a ³Π_u), and from the time resolved chemiluminescence from excited CO molecules, and are both (3.0 ± 0.2)10^?12 cm³ molec^?1 s^?1. The rate coefficient of the reaction of C₃ with O₂, which was determined using the IR MPD of allene as the source of C₃ molecules, is <2 × 10^?14 cm³ molec^?1 s^?1. In addition, we find that rate coefficients for C₃ reactions with N₂, NO, CH₄, and C₃H₆ are all < × 10^?14 cm³ molec^?1 s^?1. Excited CH molecules are produced in a reaction which proceeds with a rate coefficient of (2.6 ± 0.2)10^?11 cm³ molec^?1 s^?1. Possible reactions which may be the source of these radicals are discussed. The reaction of CN with O₂ produces NCO in vibrationally excited states. Radiative lifetime of the ā ²Σ state of NCo and the ā ¹Π_u(000) state of C₃ are reported.     

New Spectral Techniques: Time-Resolved Fourier-Transform Spectroscopy and Two-Color Laser-Induced Grating Spectroscopy

Time-resolved Fourier-transform spectroscopy and two-color laser-induced grating spectroscopy are two new techniques recently employed in this laboratory. We recorded emission in the near infrared region during laser photolysis of HONO₂ with a step-scan Fourier-transform spectrometer and achieved temporal resolution in the microsecond range and spectral resolution of 0.1 cm¹. Rotationally resolved emission lines of the (0,0) band of the D ²∑⁺ →A ²∑ ⁺ transition of NO in the region 8900-9300 cnv^?1 with irregular relative intensities were observed when an ArF excimer laser was used to photodissociate HONO₂. The spectroscopic parameters of both D ²∑⁺ and A ²∑⁺ states agree with those previously reported. When a narrow-band ArF laser was used, selective rotational levels of the D state of NO were populated depending on the wavelength of the ArF laser. Our results indicate that absorption of a 193-nm photon by NO(υ″ = 1) is responsible for the observed emission. To test the technique of two-color laser-induced grating spectroscopy, we employed the B ³II_0U⁺-X ¹∑_g ⁺ system of I₂. Background-free spectra with transitions involving rotationally selected states were recorded. Various experimental schemes were employed with population gratings formed in either the B or X state. Signals due to different four-wave mixing schemes were distinguished by variation of relative timing between the grating beams and the probe beam.     

Stark effect,polarizabilities and the electric dipole moment of heteronuclear diatomic molecules in 1Σ states

The theory of second-order Stark effect in ¹Σ states of heteronuclear diatomic molecules is thoroughly reviewed. The rigorous treatment given demonstrates that by introducing rotational, vibrational and electronic branch polarizabilities, the intrinsic character of the second-order Stark effect in diatomic molecules can be shown to be related more closely to polarizabilities than to dipole moments. The well-known expression for the Stark shift in ¹Σ levels which is dominated by the square of the dipole moment is only a crude, though sufficient approximation whenever large dipole moments are involved. For small dipole moments, however, this approximation is likely to fail, leading to an erroneous determination of such dipole moments. In the limiting case of negligible influence of the molecular rotation on the vibronic matrix elements, the arithmetic mean of the electronic branch polarizabilities turns out to be equal to the well-known static electronic polarizabilities α_∥ and α_⊥. The results are applied to the interpretation of the Stark splitting in the A¹Σ⁺, υ′ = 5, J′ = 1 level of ⁷LiH, recently determined by Stark quantum-beat spectroscopy.     

Two-photon absorption spectroscopy of the Na2 molecule in the 4 eV region

By means of two-photon sequential absorption via real intermediate rotational levels of the A state, vibrational levels of three new excited electronic states of the sodium dimer have been observed in the 4 eV region. These states are identified as F¹ ∑⁺_g, G¹ Π_g and H¹ Π_g. Their vibrational and rotational constants have been determined.     

The a3Π0+,1-X1Σ+ emission systems of SnH+

New visible emission systems have been observed from the helium afterglow reaction of SnH₄. On the basis of the rotational analysis, they were interpreted as the a³Π_0⁻-X¹Σ⁺ and a³Π₁-X¹Σ⁺ subsystems of SnH⁺. Spectroscopic constants have been obtained for the a³Π_0⁺ and X¹Σ⁺ states.