Ion chemistry in germane/fluorocompounds gaseous mixtures: a mass spectrometric and theoretical study

The ion-molecule reactions occurring in GeH(4)/NF(3), GeH(4)/SF(6), and GeH(4)/SiF(4) gaseous mixtures have been investigated by ion trap mass spectrometry and ab initio calculations. While the NF(x)(+) (x=1-3) react with GeH(4) mainly by the exothermic charge transfer, the open-shell Ge(+) and GeH(2)(+) undergo the efficient F-atom abstraction from NF(3) and form GeF(+) and F-GeH(2)(+) as the only ionic products. The mechanisms of these two processes are quite similar and involve the formation of the fluorine-coordinated complexes Ge-F-NF(2)(+) and H(2)Ge-F-NF(2)(+), their subsequent crossing to the significantly more stable isomers FGe-NF(2)(+) and F-GeH(2)-NF(2)(+), and the eventual dissociation of these ions into GeF(+) (or F-GeH(2)(+)) and NF(2). The closed-shell GeH(+) and GeH(3)(+) are instead much less reactive towards NF(3), and the only observed process is the less efficient formation of GeF(+) from GeH(+). The theoretical investigation of this unusual H/F exchange reaction suggests the involvement of vibrationally-hot GeH(+). Passing from NF(3) to SF(6) and SiF(4), the average strength of the M-F bond increases from 70 to 79 and 142 kcal mol(-1), and in fact the only process observed by reacting GeH(n)(+) (n=0-3) with SF(6) and SiF(4) is the little efficient F-atom abstraction from SF(6) by Ge(+). Irrespective of the experimental conditions, we did not observe any ionic product of Ge-N, Ge-S, or Ge-Si connectivity. This is in line with the previously observed exclusive formation of GeF(+) from the reaction between Ge(+) and C-F compounds such as CH(3)F. Additionally observed processes include in particular the conceivable formation of the elusive thiohypofluorous acid FSH from the reaction between SF(+) and GeH(4).     

Positive ion chemistry of SiH4/GeF4 gaseous mixtures studied by ion trap mass spectrometry and ab initio calculations

The positive ion chemistry occurring in SiH(4)/GeF(4) gaseous mixtures was investigated by ion trap mass spectrometry and ab initio theoretical calculations. The GeF(3)(+) cation, the only fragment obtained from ionized GeF(4), was unreactive towards SiH(4). All the primary ions SiH(n)(+) (n = 0-3) react instead with GeF(4) so to form SiF(+) or SiH(2)F(+). The latter species reacts in turn with SiH(4) and GeF(4) so to form SiH(3)(+) and SiHF(2)(+), respectively. The potential energy profiles conceivably involved in these reactions were investigated by ab initio calculations performed at the MP2 and coupled cluster (CCSD(T)) level of theory.     

Two new "onium" fluorosilicates, the products of interaction of fluorosilicic acid with 12-membered macrocycles: structures and spectroscopic properties

Two novel compounds, (L(1)H)(2)[SiF(6)] x 2H(2)O (1) and (L(2)H)(2)[SiF(5)(H(2)O)](2) x 3H(2)O (2), resulting from the reactions of H(2)SiF(6) with 4'-aminobenzo-12-crown-4 (L(1)) and monoaza-12-crown-4 (L(2)), respectively, were studied by X-ray diffraction and characterised by IR and (19)F NMR spectroscopic methods. Both complexes have ionic structures due to the proton transfer from the fluorosilicic acid to the primary amine group in L(1) and secondary amine group incorporated into the macrocycle L(2). The structure of 1 is composed of [SiF(6)](2-) centrosymmetric anions, N-protonated cations (L(1)H)(+), and two water molecules, all components being bound in the layer through a system of NH[...]F, NH[...]O and OH[...]F hydrogen bonds. The [SiF(6)](2-) anions and water molecules are assembled into inorganic negatively-charged layers via OH[dot dot dot]F hydrogen bonds. The structure of 2 is a rare example of stabilisation of the complex anion [SiF(5)(H(2)O)](-), the labile product of hydrolytic transformations of the [SiF(6)](2-) anion in an aqueous solution. The components of 2, i.e., [SiF(5)(H(2)O)](-), (L(2)H)(+), and water molecules, are linked by a system of NH[...]F, NH[...]O, OH[...]F, OH[dot dot dot]O hydrogen bonds. In a way similar to 1, the [SiF(5)(H(2)O)](-) anions and water molecules in 2 are combined into an inorganic negatively-charged layer through OH[...]F and OH[...]O interactions.     

Gas-phase transuranium chemistry: reactions of actinide ions with alcohols and thiols.

The laser ablation with prompt reaction and detection method was employed to provide a survey of some gas-phase reactions of actinide (M = U, Np, Pu and Am) and lanthanide (M = Tb and Tm) ions, M(+) and MO(1,2)(+), with alcohols, thiols and ethers. Particular attention was given the changing behavior in progressing across the actinide series beyond uranium. With alcohols, ROH, major products included hydroxides and alkoxides, M(OH)(1,2)(+), M(OR)(1,2)(+), MO(OH)(+) and MO(OR)(+); these products are presumed to have resulted from RO&bond;H and R&bond;OH bond cleavage by ablated M(+) and MO(+). The abundance distributions for these elementary products reflected the decrease in stabilities of high oxidation states between U and Am. Other alcohol reaction products included electrostatically bonded adducts, such as HO&bond;Np(+)ellipsisC(3)H(7)OH, sigma-bonded organometallics, such as HO&bond;Pu(+)&bond;C(2)H(5), and pi-bonded organometallics, such as Np(+)&bond;eta(3)-?C(3)H(5)?. In view of the inability of actinide and lanthanide ions to dehydrogenate alkanes, the exhibition of dehydrogenation of the alkyl chain of alcohols, as in HO-Pu(+)-C(3)H(5)O from propanol, suggests a non-insertion mechanism involving complexation of the reactant ion to the alcohol. Whereas O abstraction products from ROH were obfuscated by directly ablated MO(1,2)(+), S abstraction from thiols, RSH, was manifested by the appearance of MS(+), MS(2)(+) and MOS(+). In analogy with OH abstraction from alcohols to produce metal hydroxides, SH abstraction from thiols resulted in hydrosulfides, including Am(SH)(+) and Np(SH)(2)(+). In addition to several other reaction pathways with the thiol reagents, products presumed to be thiolates included Am(C(3)H(7)S)(+) and NpO(C(3)H(7)S) from propanethiol. A primary product of reaction with dimethyl ether were methoxides resulting from C--O bond cleavage, including Am(OCH(3))(+) and Np(OCH(3))(2)(+). With methyl vinyl ether, more complex pathways were exhibited, most of which corresponded to the elimination of stable organic molecules. An ancillary result was the discovery of several small oxide clusters, Am(2)O(n)(+), Np(2)O(n)(+) and AmNpO(n)(+). The compositions and abundance distributions of these clusters reflected the propensity of Np to exist in higher oxidation states than Am; the dominant binary clusters were Am(2)O(2)(+) and Np(2)O(3)(+).     

Ab initio study of complexes with two cations as N-H donors to F-: structures and spin-spin coupling constants across N-H-F hydrogen bonds

A systematic ab initio study has been carried out to determine the MP2/6-31+G(d,p) structures and EOM-CCSD coupling constants across N-H-F-H-N hydrogen bonds for a series of complexes F(H(3)NH)(2)(+), F(HNNH(2))(2)(+), F(H(2)CNH(2))(2)(+), F(HCNH)(2)(+), and F(FCNH)(2)(+). These complexes have hydrogen bonds with two equivalent N-H donors to F(-). As the basicity of the nitrogen donor decreases, the N-H distance increases and the N-H-F-H-N arrangement changes from linear to bent. As these changes occur and the hydrogen bonds between the ion pairs acquire increased proton-shared character, (2h)J(F)(-)(N) increases in absolute value and (1h)J(H)(-)(F) changes sign. F(H(3)NH)(2)(+) complexes were also optimized as a function of the N-H distance. As this distance increases and the N-H...F hydrogen bonds change from ion-pair to proton-shared to traditional F-H...N hydrogen bonds, (2h)J(F)(-)(N) initially increases and then decreases in absolute value, (1)J(N)(-)(H) decreases in absolute value, and (1h)J(H)(-)(F) changes sign. The signs and magnitudes of these coupling constants computed for F(H(3)NH)(2)(+) at short N-H distances are in agreement with the experimental signs and magnitudes determined for the F(collidineH)(2)(+) complex in solution. However, even when the N-H and F-H distances are taken from the optimized structure of F(collidineH)(2)(+), (2h)J(F)(-)(N) and (1h)J(H)(-)(F) are still too large relative to experiment. When the distances extracted from the experimental NMR data are used, there is excellent agreement between computed and experimental coupling constants. This suggests that the N-H-F hydrogen bonds in the isolated gas-phase F(collidineH)(2)(+) complex have too much proton-shared character relative to those that exist in solution.     

Dissociation dynamics of fluorinated ethene cations: from time bombs on a molecular level to double-regime dissociators

The dissociative photoionization mechanism of internal energy selected C(2)H(3)F(+), 1,1-C(2)H(2)F(2)(+), C(2)HF(3)(+) and C(2)F(4)(+) cations has been studied in the 13-20 eV photon energy range using imaging photoelectron photoion coincidence spectroscopy. Five predominant channels have been found; HF loss, statistical and non-statistical F loss, cleavage of the C-C bond post H or F-atom migration, and cleavage of the C=C bond. By modelling the breakdown diagrams and ion time-of-flight distributions using statistical theory, experimental 0 K appearance energies, E(0), of the daughter ions have been determined. Both C(2)H(3)F(+) and 1,1-C(2)H(2)F(2)(+) are veritable time bombs with respect to dissociation via HF loss, where slow dissociation over a reverse barrier is followed by an explosion with large kinetic energy release. The first dissociative ionization pathway for C(2)HF(3) and C(2)F(4) involves an atom migration across the C=C bond, giving CF-CHF(2)(+) and CF-CF(3)(+), respectively, which then dissociate to form CHF(2)(+), CF(+) and CF(3)(+). The nature of the F-loss pathway has been found to be bimodal for C(2)H(3)F and 1,1-C(2)H(2)F(2), switching from statistical to non-statistical behaviour as the photon energy increases. The dissociative ionization of C(2)F(4) is found to be comprised of two regimes. At low internal energies, CF(+), CF(3)(+) and CF(2)(+) are formed in statistical processes. At high internal energies, a long-lived excited electronic state is formed, which loses an F atom in a non-statistical process and undergoes statistical redistribution of energy among the nuclear degrees of freedom. This is followed by a subsequent dissociation. In other words only the ground electronic state phase space stays inaccessible. The accurate E(0) of CF(3)(+) and CF(+) formation from C(2)F(4) together with the now well established Δ(f)H(o) of C(2)F(4) yield self-consistent enthalpies of formation for the CF(3), CF, CF(3)(+) and CF(+) species.     

Existence of an exceptional reaction pathway for H3(+) formation observed in collision-induced dissociation of methane ions at 1000 eV

Dissociation of CH(4)(+) ions at 1000 eV induced by collision with Ar atoms was investigated by measuring the kinetic energies of the ionized fragments. At small scattering angles, including zero, H(+), H(2)(+), H(3)(+), CH(3)(+), CH(2)(+), CH(+), and C(+) fragments were observed. The attractive part of the potential in the CH(4)(+)-Ar collision system played an important role in the formation of the ionized fragments. Rainbow scattering, leading to a large scattering cross section, was shown to be responsible for the increased formation of H(3)(+). It is proposed that on collision-induced dissociation of CH(4)(+), its three hydrogen atoms, which form a triangle, simultaneously react and move together to form H(3)(+).     

Gas-phase ion-molecule reactions of metal-carbide cations MCn+ (M=Y and La; n=2, 4, and 6) with benzene and cyclohexane investigated by FTICR mass spectrometry and DFT calculations

Yttrium- and lanthanum-carbide cluster cations YC(n)(+) and LaC(n)(+) (n = 2, 4, and 6) are generated by laser ablation of carbonaceous material containing Y(2)O(3) or La(2)O(3). YC(2)(+), YC(4)(+), LaC(2)(+), LaC(4)(+), and LaC(6)(+) are selected to undergo gas-phase ion-molecule reactions with benzene and cyclohexane. The FTICR mass spectrometry study shows that the reactions of YC(2)(+) and LaC(2)(+) with benzene produce three main series of cluster ions. They are in the form of M(C(6)H(4))(C(6)H(6))(n)(+), M(C(8)H(4))(C(6)H(6))(n)(+), and M(C(8)H(6))(C(6)H(6))(m)(+) (M = Y and La; n = 0-3; m = 0-2). For YC(4)(+), LaC(4)(+), and LaC(6)(+), benzene addition products in the form of MC(n)(C(6)H(6))(m)(+) (M = Y and La; n = 4, 6; m = 1, 2) are observed. In the reaction with cyclohexane, all the metal-carbide cluster ions are observed to form metal-benzene complexes M(C(6)H(6))(n)(+) (M = Y and La; n= 1-3). Collision-induced-dissociation experiments were performed on the major reaction product ions, and the different levels of energy required for the fragmentation suggest that both covalent bonding and weak electrostatic interaction exist in these organometallic complexes. Several major product ions were calculated using DFT theory, and their ground-state geometries and energies were obtained.     

An atmospheric pressure chemical ionization study of the positive and negative ion chemistry of the hydrofluorocarbons 1,1-difluoroethane (HFC-152a) and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134a) and of perfluoro-n-hexane (FC-72) in air plasma at atmospheric pressure

A report is given on the ionization/dissociation behavior of the title compounds within air plasmas produced by electrical corona discharges at atmospheric pressure: both positive and negative ions were investigated at different temperatures using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS). CHF(2)CH(3) (HFC-152a) undergoes efficient ionic oxidation to C(2)H(5)O(+), in which the oxygen comes from water present in the plasma. In contrast, CF(3)CH(2)F (HFC-134a) does not produce any characteristic positive ion under APCI conditions, its presence within the plasma being revealed only as a neutral ligand in ion-molecule complexes with ions of the background (H(3)O(+) and NO(+)). Analogously, the perfluorocarbon FC-72 (n-C(6)F(14)) does not produce significant positive ions at 30 degrees C: at high temperature, however, it undergoes dissociative ionization to form many product ions including C(3)F(6)(+), C(2)F(4)(+), C(n)F(2n+1)(+) and a few families of oxygen containing cations (C(n)F(2n+1)OH(2)(+), C(n)F(2n)OH(+), C(n)F(2n-1)O(+), C(n)F(2n-1)O(2)H(2)(+), C(n)F(2n-2)O(2)H(+)) which are suggested to derive from C(n)F(2n+1)(+) in a cascade of steps initiated by condensation with water followed by steps of HF elimination and H(2)O addition. Negative ions formed from the fluoroethanes CHF(2)CH(3) and CF(3)CH(2)F (M) include complexes with ions of the background, O(2)(-)(M), O(3)(-)(M) and some higher complexes involving also water, and complexes of the fluoride ion, F(-)(H(2)O), F(-)(M) and higher complexes with both M and H(2)O also together. The interesting product O(2)(-)(HF) is also formed from 1,1-difluoroethane. In contrast to the HFCs, perfluoro-n-hexane gives stable molecular anions, M(-), which at low source temperature or in humidified air are also detected as hydrates, M(-)(H(2)O). In addition, in humidified air F(-)(H(2)O)(n) complexes are also formed. The reactions leading to all major positive and negative product ions are discussed also with reference to available thermochemical data and relevant literature reports. The effects on both positive and negative APCI spectra due to ion activation via increasing V(cone) are also reported and discussed: several interesting endothermic processes are observed under these conditions. The results provide important information on the role of ionic reactions in non-thermal plasma processes.     

Hypervalent neutral O-donor ligand complexes of silicon tetrafluoride, comparisons with other group 14 tetrafluorides and a search for soft donor ligand complexes

The hypervalent adducts of SiF(4), trans-[SiF(4)(R(3)PO)(2)] (R = Me, Et or Ph), cis-[SiF(4){R(2)P(O)CH(2)P(O)R(2)}] (R = Me or Ph), cis-[SiF(4)(pyNO)(2)] and trans-[SiF(4)(DMSO)(2)] have been prepared from SiF(4) and the ligands in anhydrous CH(2)Cl(2), and characterised by microanalysis, IR and VT multinuclear ((1)H, (19)F, (31)P) NMR spectroscopy. The NMR studies show extensive dissociation at ambient temperatures in non-coordinating solvents, but mixtures of cis and trans isomers of the monodentate ligand complexes were identified at low temperatures. Crystal structures are reported for trans-[SiF(4)(R(3)PO)(2)] (R = Me or Ph), and cis-[SiF(4)(pyNO)(2)]. The GeF(4) analogues cis-[GeF(4){R(2)P(O)(CH(2))(n)P(O)R(2)}] (R = Me or Ph, n = 1; R = Ph, n = 2) were similarly characterised and the structures of cis-[GeF(4){R(2)P(O)CH(2)P(O)R(2)}] (R = Me or Ph) determined. The reaction of R(3)AsO (R = Me or Ph) with SiF(4) does not give simple adducts, but forms [R(3)AsOH](+) cations as fluorosilicate salts. SiF(4) adducts of some ether ligands (including THF, 12-crown-4) were also characterised by (19)F NMR spectroscopy in solution at low temperatures (～190 K), but are fully dissociated at room temperature. Attempts to isolate, or even to identify, SiF(4) adducts with phosphine or thioether ligands in solution at 190 K were unsuccessful, contrasting with the recent isolation and detailed characterisation of GeF(4) analogues. The chemistry of SiF(4) with these oxygen donor ligands, and with soft donors (P, As, S or Se), is compared and contrasted with those of GeF(4), SnF(4) and SiCl(4). The key energy factors determining stability of these complexes are discussed.     

Tetrachloro- and Tetrabromostibonium(V) Cations: Raman and (19)F, (121)Sb, and (123)Sb NMR Spectroscopic Characterization and X-ray Crystal Structures of SbCl(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) and SbBr(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-)

The stable salts, SbCl(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) and SbBr(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), have been prepared by oxidation of Sb(OTeF(5))(3) with Cl(2) and Br(2), respectively. The SbBr(4)(+) cation is reported for the first time and is only the second example of a tetrahalostibonium(V) cation. The SbCl(4)(+) cation had been previously characterized as the Sb(2)F(11)(-), Sb(2)Cl(2)F(9)(-), and Sb(2)Cl(0.5)F(10.5)(-) salts. Both Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) salts have been characterized in the solid state by low-temperature Raman spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. Owing to the weakly coordinating nature of the Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) anion, both salts are readily soluble in SO(2)ClF and have been characterized in solution by (121)Sb, (123)Sb, and (19)F NMR spectroscopy. The tetrahedral environments around the Sb atoms of the cations result in low electric field gradients at the quadrupolar (121)Sb and (123)Sb nuclei and correspondingly long relaxation times, allowing the first solution NMR characterization of a tetrahalocation of the heavy pnicogens. The following crystal structures are reported: SbCl(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), trigonal system, space group P&thremacr;, a = 10.022(1) ?, c = 18.995(4) ?, V = 1652.3(6) ?(3), D(calc) = 3.652 g cm(-)(3), Z = 2, R(1) = 0.0461; SbBr(4)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), trigonal system, space group P&thremacr;, a = 10.206(1) ?, c = 19.297(3) ?, V = 1740.9(5) ?(3), D(calc) = 3.806 g cm(-)(3), Z = 2, R(1) = 0.0425. The crystal structures of both Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-) salts are similar and reveal considerably weaker interactions between anion and cation than in previously known SbCl(4)(+) salts. Both cations are undistorted tetrahedra with bond lengths of 2.221(3) ? for SbCl(4)(+) and 2.385(2) ? for SbBr(4)(+). The Raman spectra are consistent with undistorted SbX(4)(+) tetrahedra and have been assigned under T(d)() point symmetry. Trends within groups 15 and 17 are noted among the general valence force constants of the PI(4)(+), AsF(4)(+), AsBr(4)(+), AsI(4)(+), SbCl(4)(+) and SbBr(4)(+) cations, which have been calculated for the first time, and the previously determined force constants for NF(4)(+), NCl(4)(+), PF(4)(+), PCl(4)(+), PBr(4)(+), and AsCl(4)(+), which have been recalculated for the P and As cations in the present study. The SbCl(4)(+) salt is stable in SO(2)ClF solution, whereas the SbBr(4)(+) salt decomposes slowly in SO(2)ClF at room temperature and rapidly in the presence of Br(-) ion and in CH(3)CN solution at low temperatures. The major products of the decompositions are SbBr(2)(+)Sb(OTeF(5))(6)(-), as an adduct with CH(3)CN in CH(3)CN solvent, and Br(2).     

Theoretical study of multiphoton ionization of cyclohexadienes and unimolecular decomposition of their mono- and dications

Quantum chemical calculations of the geometric structure, vertical excitation energies, and ionization potentials for the isomeric pair of 1,3- and 1,4-cyclohexadienes and their mono- and dications have been performed employing a variety of theoretical methods and basis sets. The computed ionization potentials and electronic excitation energies are used to evaluate the range of internal energies available for fragmentation of the cations following multiphoton resonance ionization of the cyclohexadienes in intense laser field. The conditions governing the competition between multiple ionization and decomposition of the ions are also discussed. Calculations of stationary points on the potential energy surfaces for various fragmentation channels and relative product yields at different available internal energies are then utilized to analyze the trends in branching ratios of major dissociation products of the 1,4-cyclohexadiene(2+) dication, which include C(3)H(3)(+) + C(3)H(5)(+), C(2)H(3)(+) + C(4)H(5)(+), and C(4)H(3)(+) + C(2)H(5)(+).     

Dissociative photoionization of 1,3-butadiene: experimental and theoretical insights

The vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization and dissociative photoionization of 1,3-butadiene in a region ～8.5-17 eV have been investigated with time-of-flight photoionization mass spectrometry using tunable synchrotron radiation. The adiabatic ionization energy of 1,3-butadiene and appearance energies for its fragment ions, C(4)H(5)(+), C(4)H(4)(+), C(4)H(3)(+), C(3)H(3)(+), C(2)H(4)(+), C(2)H(3)(+), and C(2)H(2)(+), are determined to be 9.09, 11.72, 13.11, 15.20, 11.50, 12.44, 15.15, and 15.14 eV, respectively, by measurements of photoionization efficiency spectra. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations have been performed to investigate the reaction mechanism of dissociative photoionization of 1,3-butadiene. On the basis of experimental and theoretical results, seven dissociative photoionization channels are proposed: C(4)H(5)(+) + H, C(4)H(4)(+) + H(2), C(4)H(3)(+) + H(2) + H, C(3)H(3)(+) + CH(3), C(2)H(4)(+) + C(2)H(2), C(2)H(3)(+) + C(2)H(2) + H, and C(2)H(2)(+) + C(2)H(2) + H(2). Channel C(3)H(3)(+) + CH(3) is found to be the dominant one, followed by C(4)H(5)(+) + H and C(2)H(4)(+) + C(2)H(2). The majority of these channels occur via isomerization prior to dissociation. Transition structures and intermediates for those isomerization processes were also determined.     

Cationic germanium fluorides: a theoretical investigation on the structure, stability, and thermochemistry of GeFn/GeFn+ (n = 1-3)

The structure, harmonic frequencies, enthalpies of formation, and dissociation energies of the GeF(n)(+) cations (n = 1-3) and of their neutral counterparts GeF(n) have been investigated at the MP2 and CCSD(T) levels of theory and discussed in connection with previous experimental and theoretical data. The CCSD(T,full)/cc-pVTZ-optimized geometries and MP2(full)/6-311G(d) harmonic frequencies are 1.744 A and 668.0 cm(-1) for GeF((2)Pi), 1.670 A and 798.6 cm(-1) for GeF(+)((1)Sigma(+)), 1.731 A/97.4 degrees and 267.0 (a(1))/673.1 (b(2))/690.6 (a(1)) cm(-1) for GeF(2)(C(2)(v),(1)A(1)), 1.666 A/116.9 degrees and 202.3 (a(1))/769.6 (a(1))/834.6 (b(2)) cm(-1) for GeF(2)(+)(C(2)(v),(2)A(1)), 1.706 A/112.2 degrees and 214.4 (e)/273.1 (a(1))/699.6 (a(1))/734.1 (e) cm(-1) for GeF(3)(C(3)(v),(2)A(1)), and 1.644 A and 211.4 (e')/229.9 (a(2)' ')/757.4 (a(1)')/879.3 (e') cm(-1) for GeF(3)(+)(D(3)(h),(1)A(1)). These calculated values are in excellent agreement with the experimental data reported for GeF, GeF(+), and GeF(2), and should be therefore of good predictive value for the still unexplored GeF(2)(+), GeF(3), and GeF(3)(+). The comparison of the CCSD(T,full)/cc-pVTZ enthalpies of formation at 298.15 K, -11.6 (GeF), -125.9 (GeF(2)), -180.4 (GeF(3)), 158.4 (GeF(+)), 134.1 (GeF(2)(+)), and 44.8 (GeF(3)(+)) kcal mol(-1), with the available experimental data, especially for the cations, shows discrepancies which suggest the need for novel and more refined measurements. On the other hand, the computed adiabatic ionization potentials of GeF, 7.3 eV, GeF(2), 11.2 eV, and GeF(3), 9.7 eV, are in good agreement with the available experimental estimates.     

Reactivity of stoichiometric titanium oxide cations

We present the results of a reactivity study of titanium cationic clusters towards CO, C(2)H(2), C(2)H(4) and C(3)H(6) based on guided-ion-beam mass spectrometry and DFT calculations. We identified Ti(2)O(4)(+) and to a lesser extent TiO(2)(+) species which preferentially undergo oxidation reactions. An oxygen centered radical of Ti(2)O(4)(+) is responsible for selective oxidation. Energy profiles and MD simulations reveal the mechanisms of the reactions. Regeneration of the oxygen centered radical was achieved experimentally and theoretically through the reaction of N(2)O with Ti(2)O(3)(+).     

Protonation of gas-phase aromatic molecules: IR spectrum of the fluoronium isomer of protonated fluorobenzene

The IR spectrum of the fluoronium isomer of protonated fluorobenzene (F-C(6)H(6)F(+), phenylfluoronium) is recorded in the vicinity of the C-H and F-H stretch fundamentals to obtain the first structured spectrum of an isolated protonated aromatic molecule in the gas phase. Stable F-C(6)H(6)F(+) ions are produced via proton transfer from CH(5)(+) to fluorobenzene (C(6)H(5)F) in a supersonic plasma expansion. The F-C(6)H(6)F(+) spectrum recorded between 2,540 and 4,050 cm(-1) is consistent with a weakly bound ion-dipole complex composed of HF and the phenyl cation, HF-C(6)H(5)(+). The strongest transition occurs at 3,645 cm(-1) and is assigned to the F-H stretch (sigma(FH)). The antisymmetric C-H stretch of the two ortho hydrogen atoms, sigma(CH) = 3,125 cm(-1), is nearly unshifted from bare C(6)H(5)(+), indicating that HF complexation has little influence on the C-H bond strength of C(6)H(5)(+). Despite the simultaneous production of the more stable ring protonated carbenium isomers of C(6)H(6)F(+) (fluorobenzenium) in the electron ionization source, F-C(6)H(6)F(+) can selectively be photodissociated into C(6)H(5)(+) and HF under the present experimental conditions, because it has a much lower dissociation energy than all carbenium isomers. Quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory using the 6-311G(2df,2pd) basis support the interpretation of the experimental data and provide further details on structural, energetic, and vibrational properties of F-C(6)H(6)F(+), the carbenium isomers of C(6)H(6)F(+), and other weakly bound HF-C(6)H(5)(+) ion-dipole complexes. The dissociation energy of F-C(6)H(6)F(+) with respect to dehydrofluorination is calculated as D(0) = 4521 cm(-1) (approximately 54 kJ/mol). Analysis of the charge distribution in F-C(6)H(6)F(+) supports the notation of a HF-C(6)H(5)(+) ion-dipole complex, with nearly the whole positive charge of the added proton distributed over the C(6)H(5)(+) ring. As a result, protonation at the F atom strongly destabilizes the C-F bond in C(6)H(5)F.     

Theoretical study on the substitution reactions of silylenoid H2SiLiF with CH4, NH3, H2O, HF, SiH4, PH3, H2S, and HCl

DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level have been performed to explore the substitution reactions of silylenoid H(2)SiLiF with XH(n) hydrides, where XH(n) = CH(4), NH(3), H(2)O, HF, SiH(4), PH(3), H(2)S, and HCl. We have identified a previously unreported reaction pathway on each reaction surface, H(2)SiLiF + XH(n) --> H(3)SiF + LiXH(n-1), which involved the initial formation of an association complex via a five-membered cyclic transition state to form an intermediate followed by the substituted product H(3)SiF with LiXH(n-1) dissociating. These theoretical calculations suggest that (i) there is a very clear trend toward lower activation barriers and more exothermic interactions on going from left to right along a given row in the periodic table, and (ii) for the second-row hydrides, the substitution reactions are more exothermic than for the first-row hydrides and the reaction barriers are lower. The solvent effects were considered by means of the polarized continuum model (PCM) using THF as a solvent. The presence of THF solvent disfavors slightly the substitution reaction. Compared to the previously reported insertions and H(2)-elimination reactions of H(2)SiLiF and XH(n), the substitution reactions should be most favorable.     

Unraveling anharmonic effects in the vibrational predissociation spectra of H5O2(+) and its deuterated analogues

The nature of anharmonic couplings in the H(5)O(2)(+) "Zundel" ion and its deuterated isotopologues is investigated through comparison of their measured and calculated vibrational spectra. This follows a recent study in which we reported spectra for H(5)O(2)(+), D(5)O(2)(+), and D(4)HO(2)(+) from ～600 to 4000 cm(-1), as well as H(4)DO(2)(+) in the OH and OD stretching regions [ J. Phys. Chem. B 2008 , 112 , 321 ]. While the assignments of the higher-energy transitions associated with the fundamentals of the exterior OH and OD motions are relatively straightforward, difficulties arise in the assignment of the lower-frequency regions that involve displacement of the bridging proton, especially for the isotopically mixed species. Here we revisit the Ar-tagged isotopomers, and report the low energy action spectrum of H(4)DO(2)(+) for the first time, as well as present significantly improved spectra for the D(4)HO(2)(+) and D(5)O(2)(+) systems. Band assignments are clarified in several cases using IR-IR hole-burning. We then investigate the physical origin of the anharmonic effects encoded in these spectra using a recently developed technique in which the anharmonic frequencies and intensities of transitions (involving up to two quanta of excitation) are evaluated using the ground state probability amplitudes [ J. Phys. Chem. A 2009 , 113 , 7346 ] obtained from diffusion Monte Carlo simulations. This approach has the advantage that it is applicable to low-symmetry systems [such as (HDO)H(+)(OH(2))] that are not readily addressed using highly accurate methods such as the multiconfigurational time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) approach. Moreover, it naturally accommodates an intuitive evaluation of the types of motion that contribute oscillator strength in the various regions of the spectrum, even when the wave function is intrinsically not separable as a product of low-dimensional approximate solutions. Spectra for H(5)O(2)(+), D(5)O(2)(+), H(4)DO(2)(+), and D(4)HO(2)(+) that are calculated by this approach are shown to be in excellent agreement with the measured spectra for these species, leading to reassignments of two of the bands in the intramolecular bending region of D(4)HO(2)(+).     

Selected Ion Flow Tube Study of the Gas-Phase Reactions of CF(+), CF(2)(+), CF(3)(+), and C(2)F(4)(+) with C(2)H(4), C(2)H(3)F, CH(2)CF(2), and C(2)HF(3)

We study how the degree of fluorine substitution for hydrogen atoms in ethene affects its reactivity in the gas phase. The reactions of a series of small fluorocarbon cations (CF(+), CF(2)(+), CF(3)(+), and C(2)F(4)(+)) with ethene (C(2)H(4)), monofluoroethene (C(2)H(3)F), 1,1-difluoroethene (CH(2)CF(2)), and trifluoroethene (C(2)HF(3)) have been studied in a selected ion flow tube. Rate coefficients and product cations with their branching ratios were determined at 298 K. Because the recombination energy of CF(2)(+) exceeds the ionization energy of all four substituted ethenes, the reactions of this ion produce predominantly the products of nondissociative charge transfer. With their lower recombination energies, charge transfer in the reactions of CF(+), CF(3)(+), and C(2)F(4)(+) is always endothermic, so products can only be produced by reactions in which bonds form and break within a complex. The trends observed in the results of the reactions of CF(+) and CF(3)(+) may partially be explained by the changing value of the dipole moment of the three fluoroethenes, where the cation preferentially attacks the more nucleophilic part of the molecule. Reactions of CF(3)(+) and C(2)F(4)(+) are significantly slower than those of CF(+) and CF(2)(+), with adducts being formed with the former cations. The reactions of C(2)F(4)(+) with the four neutral titled molecules are complex, giving a range of products. All can be characterized by a common first step in the mechanism in which a four-carbon chain intermediate is formed. Thereafter, arrow-pushing mechanisms as used by organic chemists can explain a number of the different products. Using the stationary electron convention, an upper limit for Δ(f)H°(298)(C(3)F(2)H(3)(+), with structure CF(2)═CH-CH(2)(+)) of 628 kJ mol(-1) and a lower limit for Δ(f)H°(298)(C(2)F(2)H(+), with structure CF(2)═CH(+)) of 845 kJ mol(-1) are determined.     

Synthesis and stability of reactive salts of dodecafluoro-closo-dodecaborate(2-)

The synthesis and characterization of several salts of the B(12)F(12)(2-) anion are reported. The potassium salt was prepared in 72% recrystallized yield by treating K(2)B(12)H(12) with liquid HF at 70 degrees C for 14 h and 20% F(2)/N(2) in liquid HF at 25 degrees C for 72 h. The CPh(3)(+), N(n-Bu)(4)(+), NH(n-C(12)H(25))(3)(+), NH(4)(+), and Li(+) salts were prepared by metathesis reactions. The [NH(n-C(12)H(25))(3)](2)[B(12)F(12)] salt is soluble in aromatic hydrocarbon solvents. The B(12)F(12)(2-) anion is remarkably stable. The salts Li(2)B(12)F(12) and [NH(4)](2)[B(12)F(12)] were stable when heated to 450 and 480 degrees C, respectively. The B(12)F(12)(2-) anion did not react with 98% H(2)SO(4), 70% HNO(3), 3 M KOH, a 10-fold excess of Ce(NH(4))(2)(NO(3))(6) in aqueous solution, or metallic sodium in THF. In addition, B(12)F(12)(2-) did not react with metallic lithium in a mixture of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate, was not reduced at 0 V versus Li(+/0) in that solvent, and underwent a quasi-reversible oxidation at 4.9 V versus Li(+/0). The structure of [CPh(3)](2)[B(12)F(12)] was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction: tetragonal, space group I4(1)/acd, a = 19.102(2), b = 19.102(2), c = 20.535(3) A, V = 7492.2(2) A(3), Z = 8, T = 173(2) K, R(1) = 0.064. The B(12)F(12)(2-) anion weakly interacts with the two symmetry related CPh(3)(+) cations via F.C contacts of 3.087(2) A, which are very close to the 3.17 A sum of van der Waals radii for these two atoms. Taken together, the data suggest that B(12)F(12)(2-) may be useful as a very robust weakly coordinating anion.