Infrared spectra of group 14 hydrides in solid hydrogen: experimental observation of PbH4, Pb2H2, and Pb2H4

Laser-ablated Si, Ge, Sn, and Pb atoms have been co-deposited with pure hydrogen at 3.5 K to form the group 14 hydrides. The initial SiH(2) product reacts completely to SiH(4), whereas substantial proportions of GeH(2), SnH(2), and PbH(2) are trapped in solid hydrogen. Further hydrogen atom reactions form the trihydride radicals and tetrahydrides of Ge, Sn, and Pb. The observation of PbH(4) at 1815 cm(-)(1) and PbD(4) at 1302 cm(-)(1) is in agreement with the prediction of quantum chemical calculations for these unstable tetrahydride analogues of methane. In addition, new absorptions are observed for Pb(2)H(2) and Pb(2)H(4), which have dibridged structures based on quantum chemical calculations.     

Infrared spectra of the WH4(H2)4 complex in solid hydrogen

The codeposition of laser-ablated tungsten atoms with neat hydrogen at 4 K forms a single major product with a broad 2500 cm(-1) and sharp 1860, 1830, 1782, 1008, 551, and 437 cm(-1) absorptions, which are assigned to the WH4(H2)4 complex on the basis of isotopic shifts and agreement with isotopic frequencies calculated by density functional theory. This D2d structured complex was computed earlier to form exothermically from W atoms and hydrogen molecules. Annealing the matrix allows hydrogen to evaporate and the complex to aggregate and ultimately to decompose. Comparison of the H-H stretching mode at 2500 cm(-1) and the W-H2 stretching mode at 1782 cm(-1) with 2690 and 1570 cm(-1) values for the Kubas complex W(CO)3(PR3)2(H2) suggests that the present physically stable WH4(H2)4 complex has more strongly bound dihydrogen ligands. Our CASPT2 calculations suggest a 15 kcal/mol average binding energy per dihydrogen molecule in the WH4(H2)4 complex.     

Infrared reflection-absorption spectra of C2H4 and C2H6 on Cu: effect of surface roughness

Infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRRAS) of the highly symmetric molecules C2H4 and C2H6 adsorbed as mono- and multilayers onto copper films is studied in relation to the type of metal-film roughness. Spectra of C2H4 show Raman lines on cold-deposited Cu films but not on Cu deposited at room temperature. For C2H6, the IR spectra from both types of metal films are similar; the surface infrared selection rule holds and no Raman bands are observed. The Raman lines that appear in the IR spectra already at low exposures are attributed to species adsorbed at special defect sites, identical to the so-called active sites in surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The IR excitation mechanism by transient electron transfer to the adsorbate pi* state can deliver a discrete vibrational band of a Raman-active vibration only under certain circumstances, for example, for adsorbates at the "SERS-active sites". C2H6 at these sites cannot deliver Raman bands in IRRAS, because it has no pi* state. We also discuss IRRAS measurements on Cu(111) and Cu(110) single crystals, where Raman bands of C2H4 have been observed.     

Infrared and polarized Raman spectra of (CH3)2NH2Al(SO4)2 x 6H2O

FTIR and single crystal Raman spectra of (CH3)2NH2Al(SO4)2 x 6H2O have been recorded at 300 and 90 K and analysed. The shifting of nu1 mode to higher wavenumber and its appearance in Bg species contributing to the alpha(xz) and alpha(yz) polarizability tensor components indicate the distortion of SO4 tetrahedra. The presence of nu1 and nu2 modes in the IR spectrum and the lifting of degeneracies of nu2, nu3, and nu4 modes are attributed to the lowering of the symmetry of the SO4(2-) ion. Coincidence of the IR and Raman bands for different modes suggest that DMA+ ion is orientationally disordered. One of the H atoms of the NH2 group of the DMA+ ion forms moderate hydrogen bonds with the SO4(2-) anion. Al(H2O)6(3+) ion is also distorted in the crystal. The shifting of the stretching modes to lower wavenumbers and the bending mode to higher wavenumber suggest that H2O molecules form strong hydrogen bonds with SO4(2-) anion. The intensity enhancement and the narrowing of nu1SO4, deltaC2N and Al(H2O)6(3+) modes at 90 K confirm the settling down of the protons in the hydrogen bonds formed with H2O molecules and NH2 groups. This may be one of the reasons for the phase transition observed in the crystal.     

Infrared spectra and theoretical calculations of KH and (KH)2 in solid hydrogen

A matrix isolation IR study of laser-ablated potassium atom reactions with H2 has been performed in solid molecular hydrogen. The KH molecule and (KH)2 cluster were identified by infrared spectra with isotopic substitution (HD and D2) and by comparison to frequencies calculated using density functional theory. In para-hydrogen, the sharp KH absorption suggests dihydrogen complex formation with the ionic KH molecule, which is also characterized by an absorption at 4095 cm(-1). The highly ionic rhombic (KH)2 molecule is formed by dimerization and trapped in solid hydrogen. Calculations at the CCSD(T) level of theory show the increasing ionic character and decreasing stability for the (MH)2 molecule series from Li to Cs.     

Infrared spectra of the Cl- -C2H4 and Br- -C2H4 anion dimers

Infrared spectra of mass-selected Cl- -C2H4 and Br- -C2H4 complexes are recorded in the vicinity of the ethylene CH stretching vibrations (2700-3300 cm(-1) using vibrational predissociation spectroscopy. Spectra of both complexes exhibit 6 prominent peaks in the CH stretch region. Comparison with calculated frequencies reveal that the 4 higher frequency bands are associated with CH stretching modes of the C2H4 subunit, while the 2 weaker bands are assigned as overtone or combinations bands gaining intensity through interaction with the CH stretches. Ab initio calculations at the MP2/aug-cc-pVDZ level suggest that C2H4 preferentially forms a single linear H-bond with Cl- and Br- although a planar bifurcated configuration lies only slightly higher in energy (by 110 and 16 cm(-1), respectively). One-dimensional potential energy curves describing the in-plane intermolecular bending motion are developed which are used to determine the corresponding vibrational energies and wavefunctions. Experimental and theoretical results suggest that in their ground vibrational state the Cl- -C2H4 and Br- -C2H4 complexes are localized in the single H-bonded configuration, but that with the addition of modest amounts of internal energy, the in-plane bending wavefunction also has significant amplitude in the bifurcated structure.     

Infrared spectra of CO2-doped hydrogen clusters, (H2)N-CO2

Clusters of para-H(2) and/or ortho-H(2) containing a single carbon dioxide molecule are studied by high resolution infrared spectroscopy in the 2300 cm(-1) region of the CO(2) ν(3) fundamental band. The (H(2))(N)-CO(2) clusters are formed in a pulsed supersonic jet expansion from a cooled nozzle and probed using a rapid scan tunable diode laser. Simple symmetric rotor type spectra are observed with little or no resolved K-structure, and prominent Q-branch features for ortho-H(2) but not para-H(2). Observed rotational constants and vibrational shifts are reported for ortho-H(2) up to N = 7 and para-H(2) up to N = 15, with the N > 7 assignments only made possible with the help of theoretical simulations. The para-H(2) cluster with N = 12 shows clear evidence for superfluid effects, in good agreement with theory. The presence of larger clusters with N > 15 is evident in the spectra, but specific assignments are not possible. Mixed para- + ortho-H(2) cluster transitions are well predicted by linear interpolation between corresponding pure cluster line positions.     

Infrared spectra of ThH2, ThH4, and the hydride bridging ThH4(H2)x (x = 1-4) complexes in solid neon and hydrogen

Laser-ablated Th atoms react with molecular hydrogen to give thorium hydrides and their dihydrogen complexes during condensation in excess neon and hydrogen for characterization by matrix infrared spectroscopy. The ThH2, ThH4, and ThH4(H2)x (x = 1-4) product molecules have been identified through isotopic substitution (HD, D2) and comparison to frequencies calculated by density functional theory and the coupled-cluster, singles, doubles (CCSD) method and those observed previously in solid argon. Theoretical calculations show that the Th-H bond in ThH4 is the most polarized of group 4 and uranium metal tetrahydrides, and as a result, a strong attractive "dihydrogen" interaction was found between the oppositely charged hydride and H2 ligands ThH4(H2)x. This bridge-bonded dihydrogen complex structure is different from that recently computed for tungsten and uranium hydride super dihydrogen complexes but is similar to that recently called the "dihydrogen bond" (Crabtree, R. H. Science 1998, 282, 2000). Natural electron configurations show small charge flow from the Th center to the dihydrogen ligands.     

Infrared spectra of the OH+ and H2O+ cations solvated in solid argon

Infrared spectra of various OH+ and H2O+ isotopomers solvated in solid argon are presented. The OH+ and H2O+ cations were produced by co-deposition of H2O/Ar mixture with high-frequency discharged Ar at 4 K. Detailed isotopic substitution studies confirm the assignments of absorptions at 3054.9 and 3040.0 cm(-1) to the antisymmetric and symmetric H-O-H stretching vibrations of H2O+ and 2979.6 cm(-1) to the O-H stretching vibration of OH+. The frequencies of H2O+ solvated in solid argon are red-shifted, whereas the frequency of OH+ is blue-shifted with respect to the gas-phase fundamentals. On the basis of previous gas-phase studies and quantum chemical calculations, the OH+ and H2O+ cations solvated in solid argon may be regarded as the OH+-Ar5 and H2O+-Ar4 complexes isolated in the argon matrix.     

Molecular aluminum hydrides identified by inelastic neutron scattering during H2 regeneration of catalyst-doped NaAlH4

Catalyst-doped sodium aluminum hydrides have been intensively studied as solid hydrogen carriers for onboard proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Although the importance of catalyst choice in enhancing kinetics for both hydrogen uptake and release of this hydride material has long been recognized, the nature of the active species and the mechanism of catalytic action are unclear. We have shown by inelastic neutron scattering (INS) spectroscopy that a volatile molecular aluminum hydride is formed during the early stage of H2 regeneration of a depleted, catalyst-doped sodium aluminum hydride. Computational modeling of the INS spectra suggested the formation of AlH3 and oligomers (AlH3)n (Al2H6, Al3H9, and Al4H12 clusters), which are pertinent to the mechanism of hydrogen storage. This paper demonstrates, for the first time, the existence of these volatile species.     

The infrared spectra of C2H4(+) and C2H3 trapped in solid neon

When a mixture of ethylene in a large excess of neon is codeposited at 4.3 K with a beam of neon atoms that have been excited in a microwave discharge, two groups of product absorptions appear in the infrared spectrum of the deposit. Similar studies using C(2)H(4)-1-(13)C and C(2)D(4) aid in product identification. The first group of absorptions arises from a cation product which possesses two identical carbon atoms, giving the first infrared identification of two fundamentals of C(2)H(4)(+) and three of C(2)D(4)(+), as well as a tentative identification of ν(9) of C(2)H(4)(+). The positions of these absorptions are consistent with the results of density functional calculations and of earlier photoelectron studies. All of the members of the second group of product absorptions possess two inequivalent carbon atoms. They are assigned to the vinyl radical, C(2)H(3), and to C(2)D(3), in agreement with other recent infrared assignments for those species.     

Infrared spectra of hydrogen bonded crystals: Uracil

A theory of the infrared spectra of hydrogen bonds in molecular crystals of C$\text{5}\text{2}$h symmetry, containing, like uracil, four molecules and eight hydrogen bonds in the unit cell, is presented. The theoretical spectra are in good agreement in both the frequency and intensity distribution with experiment. The changes in the fine structure introduced by deuteration are quantitatively reproduced.     

Infrared spectra of chlorinated ethylene cations: C2Cl4+, C2HCl3+, 1,1-C2H2Cl2+, and trans-C2H2Cl2+ in solid argon

Infrared spectra of chlorinated ethylene cations: C2Cl4+, C2HCl3+, 1,1-C2H2Cl2+, and trans-C2H2Cl2+ isolated in solid argon are presented. These cations were produced by co-deposition of chlorinated ethylene/Ar mixtures with high-frequency-discharged Ar at 4 K. Photosensitive absorptions are assigned to different vibrational modes of the cations on the basis of observed chlorine isotopic shifts and quantum chemical frequency calculations. With the removal of one electron from the HOMO of chlorinated ethylene neutrals that is C=C bonding and C-Cl antibonding in character, the observed C-Cl stretching vibrational frequencies of the cations are blue-shifted relative to those of the chlorinated ethylene neutrals. The results also show that the cations can be regarded as "isolated" with the vibrational frequencies only slightly shifted when compared to the available gas-phase values.     

The solid solution (Fe0.81Al0.19)(H2PO4)3 with a strong hydrogen bond

Single crystals of the solid solution iron aluminium tris(dihydrogenphosphate), (Fe_0.81Al_0.19)(H₂PO₄)₃, have been prepared under hydrothermal conditions. The compound is a new monoclinic variety (γ‐form) of iron aluminium phosphate (Fe,Al)(H₂PO₄)₃. The structure is based on a two‐dimensional framework of distorted corner‐sharing MO₆ (M = Fe, Al) polyhedra sharing corners with PO₄ tetrahedra. Strong hydrogen bonds between the OH groups of the H₂PO₄ tetrahedra and the O atoms help to consolidate the crystal structure.     

Ab initio study of structures and energies of Al2H4 and Al2H 4 −

The low-lying isomers of Al₂H₄ and their anions are investigated with the hybrid density functional B3LYP, the coupled-cluster CCSD and CCSD(T) methods, and the electron propagator theory. The positive adiabatic electron affinities 5,798 and 10,112 cm⁻¹ are predicted for the neutral C_2v and D_2d symmetric isomers, respectively. The D_2h symmetric anion is more stable by 852 cm⁻¹ than the C_2v symmetric anion. The photodetachment spectra for Al₂H₄⁻ anions at the C_2v and D_2h symmetries are simulated on the basis of the Franck–Condon factor calculations, indicating a reasonable way to study the transition state of the intramolecular torsion process     

Infrared spectra and theoretical calculations of lithium hydride clusters in solid hydrogen, neon, and argon

A matrix isolation IR study of laser-ablated lithium atom reactions with H2 has been performed in solid para-hydrogen, normal hydrogen, neon, and argon. The LiH molecule and (LiH)(2,3,4) clusters were identified by IR spectra with isotopic substitution (HD, D(2), and H(2) + D(2)) and comparison to frequencies calculated by density functional theory and the MP2 method. The LiH diatomic molecule is highly polarized and associates additional H(2) to form primary (H(2))(2)LiH chemical complexes surrounded by a physical cage of solid hydrogen where the ortho and para spin states form three different primary complexes and play a role in the identification of the bis-dihydrogen complex and in characterization of the matrix cage. The highly ionic rhombic (LiH)(2) dimer, which is trapped in solid matrices, is calculated to be 22 kcal/mol more stable than the inverse hydrogen bonded linear LiH-LiH dimer, which is not observed here. The cyclic lithium hydride trimer and tetramer clusters were also observed. Although the spontaneous reaction of 2 Li and H(2) to form (LiH)(2) occurs on annealing in solid H(2), the formation of higher clusters requires visible irradiation. We observed the simplest possible chemical reduction of dihydrogen using two lithium valence electrons to form the rhombic (LiH)(2) dimer.     

Crystal structure evolution of complex metal aluminum hydrides upon hydrogen release

Complex aluminum hydrides have been widely studied as potential hydrogen storage materials but also,for some time now, for electrochemical applications. This review summarizes the crystal structures of alkali and alkaline earth aluminum hydrides and correlates structure properties with physical and chemical properties of the hydride compounds. The crystal structures of the alkali metal aluminum hydrides change significantly during the stepwise dehydrogenation. The general pathway follows a transformation of structures built of isolated [AlH4]~- tetrahedra to structures built of isolated [Al H6]~(3-) octahedra.The crystal structure relations in the group of alkaline earth metal aluminum hydrides are much more complicated than those of the alkali metal aluminum hydrides. The structures of the alkaline earth metal aluminum hydrides consist of isolated tetrahedra but the intermediate structures exhibit chains of cornershared octahedra. The coordination numbers within the alkali metal group increase with cation sizes which goes along with an increase of the decomposition temperatures of the primary hydrides. Alkaline earth metal hydrides have higher coordination numbers but decompose at slightly lower temperatures than their alkali metal counterparts. The decomposition pathways of alkaline metal aluminum hydrides have not been studied in all cases and require future research.     

Electronic spectra of the MgC4H and MgC6H radicals

Electronic transitions of the linear MgC 4H and MgC 6H radicals have been observed in the gas phase using laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. The species were prepared in a supersonic expansion by ablation of a magnesium rod in the presence of acetylene, diacetylene, or methane gas. The transitions were recorded in the 445-446 nm region and assigned to the A (2)Pi- X (2)Sigma (+) systems ( T 0 = 22 431.978(7) and 22 090.08(7) cm (-1)) based on previously reported mass-selective resonance-enhanced ionization spectra and the rotational structure. A spectral fit in MgC 4H yields the rotational constants B' = 0.04619(19) cm (-1) for the X (2)Sigma (+) state and B' = 0.04748(20) cm (-1) for A (2)Pi. Astrophysical implications are briefly addressed.