Noble gas-transition metal complexes: coordination of ScO+ by multiple Ar, Kr, and Xe atoms in noble gas matrixes

The combination of matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and density functional calculation results provides strong evidence that the transition metal monoxide cation, ScO+, coordinates five noble gas atoms in forming the [ScO(Ng)5]+ (Ng = Ar, Kr, or Xe) complexes in noble gas matrixes.     

Coordination of ScO+ and YO+ by multiple Ar, Kr, and Xe atoms in noble gas matrixes: a matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study

The combination of matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results provide strong evidence that scandium and yttrium monoxide cations, ScO+ and YO+, coordinate multiple noble gas atoms in forming noble gas complexes. The results showed that ScO+ coordinates five Ar, Kr, or Xe atoms, and YO+ coordinates six Ar or Kr and five Xe atoms in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the ScO+ and YO+ cations trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the [ScO(Ng)5]+ (Ng = Ar, Kr, or Xe), [YO(Ng)6]+ (Ng = Ar or Kr) or [YO(Xe)5]+ complexes. Experiments with dilute krypton or xenon in argon or krypton in xenon produced new IR bands, which are due to the stepwise formation of the [ScO(Ar)(5-n)(Kr)n]+, [ScO(Kr)(5-n)(Xe)n]+ (n = 1-5), [YO(Ar)(6-n)(Kr)n]+ (n = 1-6), and [YO(Ar)(6-n)(Xe)n]+ (n = 1-4) complexes.     

Noble gas-actinide complexes of the CUO molecule with multiple Ar,Kr, and Xe atoms in noble-gas matrices

Laser-ablated U atoms react with CO in excess argon to produce CUO, which is trapped in a triplet state in solid argon at 7 K, based on agreement between observed and relativistic density functional theory (DFT) calculated isotopic frequencies ((12)C(16)O, (13)C(16)O, (12)C(18)O). This observation contrasts a recent neon matrix investigation, which trapped CUO in a linear singlet state calculated to be about 1 kcal/mol lower in energy. Experiments with krypton and xenon give results analogous to those with argon. Similar work with dilute Kr and Xe in argon finds small frequency shifts in new four-band progressions for CUO in the same triplet states trapped in solid argon and provides evidence for four distinct CUO(Ar)(4-n)(Ng)(n) (Ng = Kr, Xe, n = 1, 2, 3, 4) complexes for each Ng. DFT calculations show that successively higher Ng complexes are responsible for the observed frequency progressions. This work provides the first evidence for noble gas-actinide complexes, and the first example of neutral complexes with four noble gas atoms bonded to one metal center.     

Electronic spectroscopy of C2 in solid rare gas matrixes

Electronic spectroscopy of the C(2) molecule is investigated in Ar, Kr, and Xe matrixes in the 150-500 nm range. In the Ar matrix, the D ((1)Sigma(u)(+)) <-- ((1)Sigma(g)(+)) Mulliken band near 240 nm is the sole absorption in the UV range, whereas in the Kr matrix additional bands in the 188-209 nm range are assigned to the Kr(n)()(+)C(2)(-) <-- Kr(n)()C(2) charge-transfer absorptions. Because of the formation of a bound C(2)Xe species, the spectral observations in the Xe matrix differ dramatically from the lighter rare gases: the Mulliken band is absent and new bands appear near 300 and 423 nm. The latter is assigned to the forbidden B'((1)Sigma(g)(+)) <-- X ((1)Sigma(g)(+)) transition, but the origin of the former remains unclear. The spectral assignments are aided by electronic structure calculations at the MCSCF, CCSD(T), and BCCD(T) levels of theory and correlation consistent basis sets. A significant presence of multireference character of the C(2)Xe system was noted and a linear ground-state structure is predicted. The computational results contradict previous density functional studies on the same system.     

Formation of the magic cluster Na8 in noble gas matrixes

The sodium molecules Na(2), Na(4), and Na(8) have been isolated in argon matrixes at 15 K and characterized for the first time by Raman spectroscopy. The vibrational frequencies are compared with density functional (DFT) calculations. The Na(4) cluster possesses a rhombic structure (D(2h)) with calculated d(Na-Na) = 307.2 and 347.4 pm, respectively. For octasodium, a hypertetrahedral structure (T(d)) is predicted in which each side of an inner tetrahedron with d(Na-Na) = 331.5 pm is capped by sodium atoms with a distance of d(Na-Na) = 348.7 pm. The green octasodium cluster is the first example of a matrix-isolated magic number cluster. Its formation from blue tetrasodium is discussed on the basis of the observed sequence of cluster growth.     

Decay rates of inner-valence excitations in noble gas atoms

A Fano - algebraic diagrammatic construction - Stieltjes method has been recently developed for ab initio calculations of nonradiative decay rates [V. Averbukh and L. S. Cederbaum, J. Chem. Phys. 123, 204107 (2005)] of singly ionized states. In the present work this method is generalized for the case of electronic decay of excited states. The decay widths of autoionizing inner-valence-excited states of Ne, Ar, and Kr are calculated. Apart from the lowest excitation of Kr, they are found to be in good to excellent agreement with the experimental values. Comparison with the other theoretical studies shows that in many cases the new method performs better than the previously available techniques.     

Site modification of K atoms in solid Ar by X-ray and light irradiation

The influence of X-ray irradiation on the optical absorption of K-atoms in Ar-matrices was studied as a function of time and temperature. Exponential decrease of the so-called red and blue triplet absorptions was observed. Simultaneously a new absorption in the range of the red triplet was built up. The new absorption could alternatively be produced by light irradiation into the red or the blue triplet, as was shown in a second experiment studying correlated optical and ESR-absorption. After annealing at 15 K the new absorption disappeared, and the original absorptions were largely restored. All experimental results can well be understood in terms of exciton production, self-trapping, and deexcitation, and are described by a master equation system.     

Unusual structure of new dimethylmalonate coordination polymer with strontium atoms and VO2+ fragments

A reaction of vanadyl sulfate VOSO₄·3H₂O with dimethylmalonic acid strontium salt led to the coordination polymer {Sr(H₂O)₈[VO(Me₂mal)₂]} _n (1, Me₂mal is the dimethylmalonic acid dianion), in which the carboxylate dianions did not form chelate metallocycles with the vanadyl ions. The complex was studied by ESR spectroscopy. The compound 1 exhibited weak spin-spin exchange interactions of ferromagnetic type between the V^IV atoms.     

Noble gas-actinide compounds: evidence for the formation of distinct CUO(Ar)(4-n)(Xe)(n) and CUO(Ar)(4-n)(Kr)(n) (n = 1, 2, 3, 4) complexes

Laser-ablated U atoms react with CO in excess argon to produce CUO, which gives rise to 852.5 and 804.3 cm-1 infrared absorptions for the triplet state CUO(Ar)n complex in solid argon at 7 K. Relativistic density functional calculations show that the CUO(Ar) complex is stable and that up to four or five argon atoms can complex to CUO. When 1-3% Xe is added to the argon/CO reagent mixture, strong absorptions appear at 848.0 and 801.3 cm-1 and dominate new four-band progressions, which increase on annealing to 35-50 K as Xe replaces Ar in the intimate coordination sphere. Analogous spectra are obtained with 1-2% Kr added. This work provides evidence for eight distinct CUO(Ng)n(Ar)4-n (Ng = Kr, Xe, n = 1, 2, 3, 4) complexes and the first characterization of neutral complexes involving four noble-gas atoms on one metal center.     

Bonding of multiple noble-gas atoms to CUO in solid neon: CUO(Ng)n (Ng=Ar, Kr, Xe; n=1, 2, 3, 4) complexes and the singlet-triplet crossover point

Laser-ablated U atoms co-deposited with CO in excess neon produce the novel CUO molecule, which forms distinct Ng complexes (Ng=Ar, Kr, Xe) with the heavier noble gases. The CUO(Ng) complexes are identified through CO isotopic and Ng reagent substitution and comparison to results of DFT frequency calculations. The U[bond]C and U[bond]O stretching frequencies of CUO(Ng) complexes are slightly red-shifted from neon matrix (1)Sigma(+) CUO values, which indicates a (1)A' ground state for the CUO(Ng) complexes. The CUO(Ng)(2) complexes in excess neon are likewise singlet molecules. However, the CUO(Ng)(3) and CUO(Ng)(4) complexes exhibit very different stretching frequencies and isotopic behaviors that are similar to those of CUO(Ar)(n) in a pure argon matrix, which has a (3)A" ground state based on DFT vibrational frequency calculations. This work suggests a coordination sphere model in which CUO in solid neon is initially solvated by four or more Ne atoms. Up to four heavier Ng atoms successively displace the Ne atoms leading ultimately to CUO(Ng)(4) complexes. The major changes in the CUO stretching frequencies from CUO(Ng)(2) to CUO(Ng)(3) provides evidence for the crossover from a singlet ground state to a triplet ground state.     

Matrix trapping site for H atoms in solid Ne and Ar

The optical absorption spectra of H atoms isolated in Ne and Ar matrices are analysed. The first transition is calculated by a pseudopotential method and we can conclude that H atoms are trapped in substitutional sites. The higher excitations can be understood by the exciton formula for the host.     

Modelling light diatomics trapped in rare gas matrices: H2, HD and D2 in Ar,Kr and Xe

The different models allowing the calculations of the rovibrational frequency shifts with respect to the free molecule of a molecular impurity embedded in a rare gas crystal are reviewed. It is shown that models which account for the translational motion of the impurity yield reliable results, the effects of the rare-gas translation seem to be less important. The different models currently used are described in detail and the computational procedures are discussed. Finally, it is shown that for heteronuclear diatomics, the translation-rotation coupling could play an important role.     

Radiative and nonradiative lifetimes in excited states of Ar,Kr and Xe atoms in a neon matrix

Synchrotron radiation with its intense continuum and its excellent time structure has been exploited for time resolved luminescence spectroscopy in the solid state. By selective excitation of n = 1, n′ = 2 exciton states of Xe, Kr and Ar atoms in a neon matrix we were able to identify the emitting states involved. Lifetimes within the cascade of radiative and radiationless relaxation between excited states as well as the radiative lifetimes for transitions to the ground state have been derived from the decay curves. Energy positions and radiative lifetimes of the emitting states correspond quite well with those of the free atoms. Radiative and radiationless relaxation processes take place within the manifold of excited states of the guest atoms. The rate constants for radiationless decay confirm an energy gap law. The order of the radiationless processes reaches in some cases extremely high values. Selection rules for spin and angular momentum are essential to understand the observed radiationless transition rates.     

Transitions between the 2s and 2p states of atomic hydrogen in collisions with slow noble gas atoms

The thermal decomposition of diatomic molecules in a light inert gas was examined within the scope of the diffusion theory with allowance for interaction between vibration and rotation. It was shown that molecular rotation changes the value of the dissociation constant within an order of magnitude and appreciably affects its temperature dependence. The results, obtained by computer, can be applied directly to the dissociation of I₂, Br₂, and Cl₂.In conclusion, we express our gratitude to A. I. Vol'pert and L. N. Stesik for the possibility of carrying out the computer calculation.     

Theoretical prediction of the noble gas complexes HeAuF and NeAuF

Ab initio calculations were carried out to investigate the structures and the stability of the noble gas complexes HeAuF and NeAuF through MP2 and CCSD(T) methods. The HeAuF was predicted to have a linear structure with weak He—Au covalent bonding, the distance of which is closer to the covalent limit in comparison with the corresponding van der Waals limit. The dissociation energy with respect to He + AuF was found to be 24 and 26 kJ·mol⁻¹ at the CCSD(T)/basis set B and B′ levels, respectively. However, similar calculations for NeAuF indicate that NeAuF is not a stable species.     

The electronic spectrum of CUONg(4) (Ng = Ne, Ar, Kr, Xe): New insights in the interaction of the CUO molecule with noble gas matrices

The electronic spectrum of the CUO molecule was investigated with the IHFSCC-SD (intermediate Hamiltonian Fock-space coupled cluster with singles and doubles) method and with TD-DFT (time-dependent density functional theory) employing the PBE and PBE0 exchange-correlation functionals. The importance of both spin-orbit coupling and correlation effects on the low-lying excited-states of this molecule are analyzed and discussed. Noble gas matrix effects on the energy ordering and vibrational frequencies of the lowest electronic states of the CUO molecule were investigated with density functional theory (DFT) and TD-DFT in a supermolecular as well as a frozen density embedding (FDE) subsystem approach. This data is used to test the suitability of the FDE approach to model the influence of different matrices on the vertical electronic transitions of this molecule. The most suitable potential was chosen to perform relativistic wave function theory in density functional theory calculations to study the vertical electronic spectra of the CUO and CUONg(4) with the IHFSCC-SD method.     

Insertion of noble gas atoms into cyanoacetylene: an ab initio and matrix isolation study

A computational and experimental matrix isolation study of insertion of noble gas atoms into cyanoacetylene (HCCCN) is presented. Twelve novel noble gas insertion compounds are found to be kinetically stable at the MP2 level of theory, including four molecules with argon. The first group of the computationally studied molecules belongs to noble gas hydrides (HNgCCCN and HNgCCNC), and we found their stability for Ng = Ar, Kr, and Xe. The HNgCCCN compounds with Kr and Xe have similar stability to that of previously reported HKrCN and HXeCN. The HArCCCN molecule seems to have a weaker H-Ar bond than in the previously identified HArF molecule. The HNgCCNC molecules are less stable than the HNgCCCN isomers for all noble gas atoms. The second group of the computational insertion compounds, HCCNgCN and HCCNgNC, are of a different type, and they also are kinetically stable for Ng = Ar, Kr, and Xe. Our photolysis and annealing experiments with low-temperature cyanoacetylene/Ng (Ng = Ar, Kr, and Xe) matrixes evidence the formation of two noble gas hydrides for Ng = Kr and Xe, with the strongest IR absorption bands at 1492.1 and 1624.5 cm(-1), and two additional absorption modes for each species are found. The computational spectra of HKrCCCN and HXeCCCN fit most closely the experimental data, which is the basis for our assignment. The obtained species absorb at quite similar frequencies as the known HKrCN and HXeCN molecules, which is in agreement with the theoretical predictions. No strong candidates for an Ar compound are observed in the IR absorption spectra. As an important side product of this work, the data obtained in long-term decay of KrHKr+ cations suggest a tentative assignment for the CCCN radical.     

RgBF2(+) complexes (Rg = Ar, Kr, and Xe): the cations with large stabilities

Rare gas containing cations with general formula [Rg, B, 2F](+) have been investigated theoretically by second-order Mo?ller-Plesset perturbation, coupled cluster, and complete active space self-consistent field levels of theory with correlation-consistent basis sets. Totally two types of minima, i.e., boron centered C(2) (v) symmetried RgBF(2) (+) (Rg = Ar, Kr, and Xe) which can be viewed as loss of F(-) from FRgBF(2) and linear FRgBF(+) (Rg = Kr and Xe) are obtained at the CCSD(T)∕aug-cc-pVTZ∕SDD and CASSCF(10,8)∕aug-cc-pVTZ∕SDD levels, respectively. It is shown that the RgBF(2) (+) are global minima followed by FRgBF(+) at 170.9 and 142.2 kcal∕mol on the singlet potential-energy surfaces of [Rg, B, 2F](+) (Rg = Kr and Xe) at the CASPT2(10,8) ∕aug-cc-pVTZ∕SDD∕∕CASSCF(10,8)∕aug-cc-pVTZ∕SDD, respectively. The interconversion barrier heights between RgBF(2) (+) and FRgBF(+) (Rg = Kr and Xe) are at least 39 kcal∕mol. In addition, no dissociation transition state associated with RgBF(2) (+) and FRgBF(+) can be found. This suggests that RgBF(2) (+) (Rg = Ar, Kr, and Xe) can exist as both thermodynamically and kinetically stable species, while linear FRgBF(+) (Rg = Kr and Xe) can exist as metastable species compared with the lowest dissociation limit energies just like isoelectronic linear FRgBO and FRgBN(-). From natural bond orbital and atoms-in-molecules calculations, it is found that the positive charge is mainly located on Rg and boron atoms for both types of minima, the Rg-B bonds of ArBF(2) (+), KrBF(2) (+), and XeBF(2) (+) are mostly electrostatic, thus can be viewed as ion-induced dipole interaction; while that of linear FKrBF(+) and FXeBF(+) are covalent in nature. The previous experimental observation of ArBF(2) (+) by Pepi et al. [J. Phys. Chem. B. 110, 4492 (2006)] should correspond to C(2) (v) minimum. The presently predicted spectroscopies of KrBF(2) (+), XeBF(2) (+), FKrBF(+), and FXeBF(+) should be helpful for their experimental identification in the future.