Sublimation properties of CoF(3): mass spectrometric and quantum chemical studies

The sublimation of cobalt trifluoride was studied using the Knudsen effusion method combined with mass spectrometry. The pressure of F was directly measured for decomposition of CoF(3)(s) into CoF(2)(s). The average kinetic energy of CoF(2)(+), CoF(+) and Co(+) fragment ions was determined and the relative ionisation cross section curves measured from 6 eV to 100 eV. Thermodynamic functions of gaseous CoF(3) and Co(2)F(6), were evaluated from geometrical and vibrational parameters provided from theoretical calculations. Heats of formation of CoF(3)(s), CoF(3)(g), Co(2)F(6)(g) were established as (-784 +/- 6) kJ/mol, (-565 +/- 11) kJ/mol and (-1289 +/- 22) kJ/mol, respectively.     

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization of small water clusters

Tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoionization studies of water clusters are performed using 10-14 eV synchrotron radiation and analyzed by reflectron time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry. Photoionization efficiency (PIE) curves for protonated water clusters (H2O)(n)H+ are measured with 50 meV energy resolution. The appearance energies of a series of protonated water clusters are determined from the photoionization threshold for clusters composed of up to 79 molecules. These appearance energies represent an upper limit of the adiabatic ionization energy of the corresponding parent neutral water cluster in the supersonic molecular beam. The experimental results show a sharp drop in the appearance energy for the small neutral water clusters (from 12.62 +/- 0.05 to 10.94 +/- 0.06 eV, for H2O and (H2O)4, respectively), followed by a gradual decrease for clusters up to (H2O)23 converging to a value of 10.6 eV (+/-0.2 eV). The dissociation energy to remove a water molecule from the corresponding neutral water cluster is derived through thermodynamic cycles utilizing the dissociation energies of protonated water clusters reported previously in the literature. The experimental results show a gradual decrease of the dissociation energy for removal of one water molecule for small neutral water clusters (3 相似文献   

Direct determination of the ionization energies of PtC, PtO, and PtO2 with VUV radiation

Photoionization efficiency curves were measured for gas-phase PtC, PtO, and PtO2 using tunable vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation at the Advanced Light Source. The molecules were prepared by laser ablation of a platinum tube, followed by reaction with CH4 or N2O and supersonic expansion. These measurements provide the first directly measured ionization energy for PtC, IE(PtC) = 9.45 +/- 0.05 eV. The direct measurement also gives greatly improved ionization energies for the platinum oxides, IE(PtO) = 10.0 +/- 0.1 eV and IE(PtO2) = 11.35 +/- 0.05 eV. The ionization energy connects the dissociation energies of the neutral and cation, leading to greatly improved 0 K bond dissociation energies for the neutrals: D0(Pt-C) = 5.95 +/- 0.07 eV, D0(Pt-O) = 4.30 +/- 0.12 eV, and D0(OPt-O) = 4.41 +/- 0.13 eV, as well as enthalpies of formation for the gas-phase molecules DeltaH(0)(f,0)(PtC(g)) = 701 +/- 7 kJ/mol, DeltaH(0)(f,0)(PtO(g)) = 396 +/- 12 kJ/mol, and DeltaH(0)(f,0)(PtO2(g)) = 218 +/- 11 kJ/mol. Much of the error in previous Knudsen cell measurements of platinum oxide bond dissociation energies is due to the use of thermodynamic second law extrapolations. Third law values calculated using statistical mechanical thermodynamic functions are in much better agreement with values obtained from ionization energies and ion energetics. These experiments demonstrate that laser ablation production with direct VUV ionization measurements is a versatile tool to measure ionization energies and bond dissociation energies for catalytically interesting species such as metal oxides and carbides.     

Heats of formation of Co(CO)(2)NOPR(3), R = CH(3) and C(2)H(5), and its ionic fragments

A joint threshold photoelectron photoion coincidence spectrometry (TPEPICO) and collision-induced dissociation (CID) study on the thermochemistry of Co(CO)(2)NOPR(3), R = CH(3) (Me) and C(2)H(5) (Et), complexes is presented. Adiabatic ionization energies of 7.36 +/- 0.04 and 7.24 +/- 0.04 eV, respectively, were extracted from scans of the total ion and threshold electron signals. In the TPEPICO study, the following 0 K onsets were determined for the various fragment ions: CoCONOPMe(3)(+), 8.30 +/- 0.05 eV; CoNOPMe(3)(+), 9.11 +/- 0.05 eV; CoPMe(3)(+) 10.80 +/- 0.05 eV; CoCONOPEt(3)(+), 8.14 +/- 0.05 eV; CoNOPEt(3)(+), 8.92 +/- 0.05 eV; and CoPEt(3)(+), 10.66 +/- 0.05 eV. These onsets were combined with the Co(+)-PR(3) (R = CH(3) and C(2)H(5)) bond dissociation energies of 2.88 +/- 0.11 and 3.51 +/- 0.17 eV, obtained from the TCID experiments, to derive the heats of formation of the neutral and ionic species. Thus, the Co(CO)(2)NOPR(3) (R = CH(3) and C(2)H(5)) 0 K heats of formation were found to be -350 +/- 13 and -376 +/- 18 kJ x mol(-)(1), respectively. These heats of formation were combined with the published heat of formation of Co(CO)(3)NO to determine the substitution enthalpies of the carbonyl to phosphine substitution reactions. Room-temperature values of the heats of formation are also given using the calculated harmonic vibrational frequencies. Analysis of the TCID experimental results provides indirectly the adiabatic ionization energies of the free phosphine ligands, P(CH(3))(3) and P(C(2)H(5))(3), of 7.83 +/- 0.03 and 7.50 +/- 0.03 eV, respectively.     

The dissociation kinetics of energy-selected CpMn(CO)(3)(+) ions studied by threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy

Threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy has been used to investigate the dissociation kinetics of the cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl ion, CpMn(CO)(3)(+). The ionization energy of CpMn(CO)(3) was measured from the threshold photoelectron spectrum to be 7.69 +/- 0.02 eV. The dissociation of the CpMn(CO)(3)(+) ion proceeds by the sequential loss of three CO molecules. The first and third CO loss reactions were observed to be slow (lifetimes in the microsecond range). By simulating the resulting asymmetric time-of-flight peak shapes and breakdown diagram, 0 K onsets for three product ions were determined to be 8.80 +/- 0.04, 9.43 +/- 0.04, and 10.51 +/- 0.06 eV, respectively. Combined with the adiabatic ionization energy, the three successive Mn-CO bond energies in the CpMn(CO)(3)(+) were found to be alternating with values of 1.11 +/- 0.04, 0.63 +/- 0.04, and 1.08 +/- 0.06 eV, respectively. Using a scaled theoretical Cp-Mn(+) bond energy of 3.10 +/- 0.10 eV and the combined results from theory and experiment, the 298 K gas-phase heat of formation of CpMn(CO)(3) is suggested to be -419 +/- 15 kJ/mol. Based on this value, the 298 K heats of formation of CpMn(CO)(3)(+), CpMn(CO)(2)(+), CpMnCO(+), and CpMn(+) are 325 +/- 15, 546 +/- 15, 719 +/- 15, and 938 +/- 15 kJ/mol, respectively. By scaling theoretical calculated neutral bond energies with the experimental information derived in this study, the successive Mn-CO bond energies were estimated to be 1.88, 1.10, and 1.03 eV, respectively, while the Cp-Mn bond energy was found to be 2.16 eV. Comparison between the quantum chemical calculations and experimental values shows that the loss of CO groups follows the lowest energy adiabatic path, in which electronic spin on the metal center is not conserved.     

Metal-benzene and metal-CO bond energies in neutral and ionic C6H6Cr(CO)3 studied by threshold photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy and density functional theory

photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations have been used to investigate the dissociation kinetics of the benzene chromium tricarbonyl ion, BzCr(CO)3+ (Bz = C6H6). The dissociation of the BzCr(CO)3+ ion proceeds by the sequential loss of three CO and benzene ligands. The first and third CO and the benzene loss reactions were associated with metastable precursor ions (lifetimes in the microsecond range). By simulating the resulting asymmetric time-of-flight peak shapes and breakdown diagram, the 0 K appearance energies of the four product ions were determined to be 8.33 +/- 0.05, 8.93 +/- 0.05, 9.97 +/- 0.06, and 11.71 +/- 0.06 eV, respectively. Combined with the ionization energy of BzCr(CO)3, 7.30 +/- 0.05 eV, the three successive Cr-CO bond energies in the BzCr(CO)3+ were found to alternate, with values of 1.03 +/- 0.05, 0.60 +/- 0.05, and 1.04 +/- 0.05 eV, respectively, and the Bz-Cr bond energy in BzCr+ is 1.74 +/- 0.05 eV, a trend confirmed by the density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Using the heats of formation of the fully dissociated products, C6H6, Cr+, and CO, the 298 K heats of formation the ionic BzCr(CO)n+ (n = 03) species were determined. By scaling the DFT calculated bond energies for the neutral molecules, the heats of formation of the neutral BzCr(CO)n (n = 03) were also obtained.     

Ionization energies of hypervalent Li2F,Li2Cl and Na2Cl molecules obtained by surface ionization electron impact neutralization mass spectrometry

Ionization energies of hypervalent Li(2)F, Li(2)Cl and Na(2)Cl molecules detected by surface ionization electron impact neutralization mass spectrometry are reported. The ionization energies were 3.78 +/- 0.2 eV for Li(2)F, 4.93 +/- 0.2 eV for Li(2)Cl, and 4.21 +/- 0.2 eV for Na(2)Cl. The ionization energies (IE) agree with theoretical ionization energies calculated by ab initio methods, supporting the theoretical prediction that Li(2)F has a hyperlithiated configuration in which the odd electron delocalizes over the two lithiums and with photoionization measurement. The first ionization energy of Na(2)Cl was experimentally confirmed earlier and for Li(2)Cl as well.8 We have developed and used this new approach for the problem--in the present work ions were first formed by surface ionization, followed by electron attachment (neutralization).     

The dissociation energy of the new diatomic molecules SiPb and GePb

The diatomic molecules SiPb and GePb were for the first time identified by producing high temperature vapors of the constituent pure elements in a "double-oven-like" molecular-effusion assembly. The partial pressures of the atomic, heteronuclear, and homonuclear gaseous species observed in the vapor, namely, Si, Ge, Pb, SiPb, GePb, Pb2, Gen, and Sin (n=2-3), were mass-spectrometrically measured in the overall temperature ranges 1753-1961 K (Ge-Pb) and 1992-2314 K (Si-Pb). The dissociation energies of the new species were determined by second- and third-law analyses of both the direct dissociation reactions and isomolecular exchange reactions involving homonuclear molecules. The selected values of the dissociation energies at 0 K (D0 degrees) are 165.1+/-7.3 and 141.6+/-6.9 kJ/mol, respectively, for SiPb and GePb, and the corresponding enthalpies of formation (DeltafH0 degrees) are 476.4+/-7.3 and 419.3+/-6.9 kJ/mol. The ionization efficiency curves of the two species were measured, giving the following values for the first ionization energies: 7.0+/-0.2 eV (SiPb) and 7.1+/-0.2 eV (GePb). A computational study of the species SiPb and GePb was also carried out at the CCSD(T) level of theory using the relativistic electron core potential approach. Molecular parameters, adiabatic ionization energies, adiabatic electron affinities, and dissociation energies of the title species were calculated, as well as the enthalpy changes of the exchange reactions involving the other Pb-containing diatomics of group 14. Finally, a comparison between the experimental and theoretical results is presented, and from a semiempirical correlation the unknown dissociation energies of the SiSn and PbC molecules are predicted as 234+/-7 and 185+/-11 kJ/mol, respectively.     

Experimental and quantum-chemical studies on photoionization and dissociative photoionization of CH2Br2

The dissociative photoionization of CH2Br2 in a region approximately 10-24 eV was investigated with photoionization mass spectroscopy using a synchrotron radiation source. An adiabatic ionization energy of 10.25 eV determined for CH2Br2 agrees satisfactorily with predictions of 10.26 and 10.25 eV with G2 and G3 methods, respectively. Observed major fragment ions CH2Br+, CHBr+, and CBr+ show appearance energies at 11.22, 12.59, and 15.42 eV, respectively; minor fragment ions CHBr2+, Br+, and CH2+ appear at 12.64, 15.31, and 16.80 eV, respectively. Energies for formation of observed fragment ions and their neutral counterparts upon ionization of CH2Br2 are computed with G2 and G3 methods. Dissociative photoionization channels associated with six observed fragment ions are proposed based on comparison of determined appearance energies and predicted energies. An upper limit of DeltaH0f,298(CHBr+) < or = 300.7 +/- 1.5 kcal mol(-1) is derived experimentally; the adiabatic ionization energy of CHBr is thus derived to be < or = 9.17 +/- 0.23 eV. Literature values for DeltaH0f,298(CBr+) = 362.5 kcal mol(-1) and ionization energy of 10.43 eV for CBr are revised to be less than 332 kcal mol(-1) and 9.11 eV, respectively. Also based on a new experimental ionization energy, DeltaH0f,298(CH2Br2+) is revised to be 236.4 +/- 1.5 kcal mol(-1).     

Thermodynamic study on the complexation of Am(III) and Eu(III) with tetradentate nitrogen ligands: a probe of complex species and reactions in aqueous solution

A thermodynamic investigation has been performed to study the complexation of trivalent metal (M) ions (M = Am(III), Eu(III)) with tetradentate ligands (L), 6,6'-bis(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-2,2'-bipyridines (BTBPs), by using relativistic quantum mechanical calculations. The structures and stabilities of the inner-sphere BTBPs complexes were explored in the presence of various counterions such as NO(3)(-), Cl(-), and ClO(4)(-). According to our calculations, Am(III) and Eu(III) can chelate eight or nine water molecules at most, whereas more stable species like M(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)(4) tend to be formed in the presence of nitrate ions. The inner sphere of the BTBPs complexes can accommodate four water molecules or three nitrate ions based on our calculations, forming species such as [ML(H(2)O)(4)](3+) and ML(NO(3))(3). Compared with Eu(III) complexes, the Am(III) counterparts have obviously lower binding energies in both the gas phase and solution. In addition, the solvent effect significantly decreases the binding energies of the BTBPs complexes. It has been found that the complexing reactions, in which products and reactants possess the same or close number of nitrate ions, are more favorable for formation of the BTBPs complexes. In short, the reactions of M(NO(3))(3)(H(2)O)(4) → ML(NO(3))(3) and [M(NO(3))(H(2)O)(7)](2+) → [ML(2)(NO(3))](2+) are probably the dominant ones in the Am(III)/Eu(III) separation process.     

Ionization energies of LinX (n = 2, 3; X = Cl, Br, I) molecules

Molecules of Li(n)X (n = 2, 3; X = Cl, Br, I) were examined with a magnetic sector mass spectrometer by surface ionization using a triple rhenium filament impregnated with fullerene (C60). The ionization energies obtained for Li(2)Cl, Li(2)Br and Li(2)I molecules are 3.8 +/- 0.1, 3.9 +/- 0.1 and 4.0 +/- 0.1 eV, respectively. The first ionization energy of Li(2)Cl is documented, while there are no literature data for the ionization energies of Li(2)Br and Li(2)I. The molecules of Li(3)Cl, Li(3)Br and Li(3)I were detected experimentally for the first time with ionization energies of 4.0 +/- 0.1, 4.1 +/- 0.1 and 4.1 +/- 0.1 eV, respectively. The ionization energies of Li(n)X (n = 2, 3; X = Cl, Br, I) are in correlation with the theoretical prediction of their hyperlithiated configurations.     

Multiphoton ionization of metal cluster complexes Os3(CO)12 and Ir4(CO)12: Determination of the ionization energy and coordination energy of the complex ions

Multiphoton ionization and the subsequent dissociation process of metal cluster complexes Os₃(CO)₁₂ and Ir₄(CO)₁₂, prepared in a supersonic jet, were studied by means of multiphoton ionization with time-of-flight (TOF) mass detection. The ionization energies of Os₃(CO)₁₂ and Ir₄(CO)₁₂ were determined to be 7.95 and 8.3 eV, respectively, from the laser wavelength at the ionization threshold. The coordination energies of Os₃(CO)₁₂⁺ and Ir₄(CO)₁₂⁺ ions were also determined to be 1.6 and 1.2 eV, respectively, from the excitation energy needed to cause the appearance of fragment ions. The observed values agreed reasonably well with the ones calculated by using the density functional theory method.     

Study of the Electronic Structure of Ni(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(NO) by Variable-Photon-Energy Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Density Functional Calculations

Photoelectron spectra, with photon energies varying from 18 to 120 eV, have been measured for Ni(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(NO). Relative partial photoelectron cross sections and branching ratios have been evaluated for the first three valence ionization bands. He I and He II photoelectron spectra have been remeasured for Ni(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(NO) and Ni(eta(5)-C(5)H(4)CH(3))(NO). In the latter case, the fine structure on the first band differs from that in the previously published spectrum. Density functional calculations have been carried out to determine the ionization potentials of the lowest lying states of Ni(eta(5)-C(5)H(5))(NO) as well as the corresponding photoionization cross sections and the resulting branching ratios using the LCGTO-DF and LDKL-DF methods, respectively. Both experimental and theoretical investigations lead to an ion state ordering (2)E(1) < (2)E(2) approximately (2)A(1)< (2)E(1) and an assignment of (2)E(1) states to the first and third bands with the (2)A(1) and (2)E(2) states comprising the second band. This differs from the original assignment in the literature, where the (2)A(1) ionization was assigned to a high-energy shoulder on the first band. The separation of this shoulder from the main band maximum of 0.23 eV (1850 +/- 81 cm(-)(1)) suggests that it may be caused by excitation of the NO stretching vibration in the ion. The neutral molecule has a NO stretch of 1832 cm(-)(1); the calculated energies for the neutral molecule and the cation are 1845 and 1911 cm(-)(1), respectively. Agreement between calculated and experimental ionization energies and good matching of the theoretical and measured branching ratios support the new assignment of the photoelectron spectrum.     

Solvation of copper(II) sulfate in binary water/N,N-dimethylformamide mixtures: from the solution to the gas phase

The solvation of copper(II) sulfate in binary mixtures of water and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is studied by a combined approach using electrochemical studies in solution and a mass spectrometric assay of the solvated ions formed from these solutions upon electrospray ionization (ESI). In the condensed phase, the limiting transference numbers (t(+/-)(o)) and the apparent ion association constants (K(A)'s) of CuSO(4) have been determined in water/DMF solutions at 20 degrees C. The t(+)(o) values decrease with increasing DMF content, demonstrating a gradual solvation of Cu(2+) by DMF molecules. The association constants indicate that aggregation becomes more pronounced as the DMF content increases. In order to achieve complementary insight, the intrinsic interactions among the ions and solvent molecules are investigated in gas-phase experiments of the CuSO(4)/water/DMF system using ESI mass spectrometry. Under the conditions used, the dications [Cu(DMF)(n)](2+) (n = 3-6), [Cu(2)(DMF)(n)SO(4)](2+) (n = 2-7), and [Cu(3)(DMF)(n)(SO(4))(2)](2+) (n = 2-7), and the monocations [Cu(OH)(DMF)(n)](+), [Cu(DMF)(n)(HSO(4))](+) (both, n = 1-3), and [Cu(DMF)(n)](+) (n = 1, 2), are formed as the leading copper-containing cations. Likewise, polynuclear copper clusters observed in the anion ESI spectra support partial aggregation occurring in solution. The gas-phase studies clearly support the conclusions that (i) DMF is a highly preferred ligand for CuII in comparison to water and that (ii) DMF supports ion association for which the mass spectrometric data suggest the formation of polynuclear copper clusters.     

Vapor species over cerium and samarium trichlorides, enthalpies of formation of (LnCl(3))(n) molecules and Cl-(LnCl(3))(n) ions

A Knudsen effusion cell mass spectrometric technique was used to study vapor species over CeCl(3) and SmCl(3). Monomer, dimer, and trimer (Sm(3)Cl(9)) molecules, and LnCl(4-), Ln(2)Cl(7-), Ln(3)Cl(10-) (Ln = Ce, Sm) negative ions, were observed in saturated vapor in the temperature range 958-1227 K. Partial vapor pressures of neutral constituents were determined and the enthalpies of sublimation (Delta(s)H, 298 K, kJ.mol(-1)) to monomers and associated molecules obtained: 328 +/- 6 (CeCl(3)), 306 +/- 6 (SmCl(3)), 453 +/- 16 (Ce(2)Cl(6)), 408 +/- 12 (Sm(2)Cl(6)), and 468 +/- 40 (Sm(3)Cl(9)). Equilibrium constants for various chemical reactions were measured and the enthalpies of reactions obtained using the second and third laws of thermodynamics. The enthalpies of formation (Delta(f)H, 298 K, kJ.mol(-1)) of molecules and ions have been calculated as follows: -730 +/- 6 (CeCl(3)), -722 +/- 6 (SmCl(3)), -1663 +/- 16 (Ce(2)Cl(6)), -1649 +/- 13 (Sm(2)Cl(6)), -2617 +/- 40 (Sm(3)Cl(9)), -1250 +/- 15 (CeCl(4)(-)), -1252 +/- 15 (SmCl(4-)), -2184 +/- 35(Ce(2)Cl(7-)), -2172 +/- 26 (Sm(2)Cl(7-)), -3183 +/- 43 (Ce(3)Cl(10-)), and -3147 +/- 43 (Sm(3)Cl(10-)).     

Vacuum-ultraviolet photoionization studies of the microhydration of DNA bases (guanine, cytosine, adenine, and thymine)

In this work, we report on a photoionization study of the microhydration of the four DNA bases. Gas-phase clusters of water with DNA bases [guanine (G), cytosine (C), adenine (A), and thymine (T)] are generated via thermal vaporization of the bases and expansion of the resultant vapor in a continuous supersonic jet expansion of water seeded in Ar. The resulting clusters are investigated by single-photon ionization with tunable vacuum-ultraviolet synchrotron radiation and mass analyzed using reflectron mass spectrometry. Photoionization efficiency (PIE) curves are recorded for the DNA bases and the following water (W) clusters: G, GWn (n = 1-3); C, CWn (n = 1-3); A, AWn (n = 1,2); and T, TWn (n = 1-3). Appearance energies (AE) are derived from the onset of these PIE curves (all energies in eV): G (8.1 +/- 0.1), GW (8.0 +/- 0.1), GW2 (8.0 +/- 0.1), and GW3 (8.0); C (8.65 +/- 0.05), CW (8.45 +/- 0.05), CW2 (8.4 +/- 0.1), and CW3 (8.3 +/- 0.1); A (8.30 +/- 0.05), AW (8.20 +/- 0.05), and AW2 (8.1 +/- 0.1); T (8.90 +/- 0.05); and TW (8.75 +/- 0.05), TW2 (8.6 +/- 0.1), and TW3 (8.6 +/- 0.1). The AEs of the DNA bases decrease slightly with the addition of water molecules (up to three) but do not converge to values found for photoinduced electron removal from DNA bases in solution.     

The study of C1?C3 monosubstituted alkyl benzenes by the inverse convolution of first differential ionization efficiency curves

The electron impact ionization efficiency curves for the parent ions and the [C₇H₇]⁺ fragment ion formed from monosubstituted alkyl benzenes (R?CH₃? n-C₃H₇) have been studied by applying the inverse convolution technique of Vogt and Pascual to the first derivative ionization efficiency curves of the ions. Ionization and appearance energies measured for the ions at threshold are in good agreement with recently published photoionization values. Structures in the ionization efficiency curves (higher energy processes) are also reported for about 4 e V above threshold. The heats of formation calculated for [C₇H₇]⁺ fragment ions obtained from toluene and ethyl benzene at threshold are equal to 864 and 865 kJ mol^?1 respectively, and are consistent with the tropylium structure. However, for the [C₇H₇]⁺ fragment ion obtained from n-propyl benzene at threshold the calculated heat of formation is equal to 923 kJ mol^?1 and probably corresponds to a benzyl structure.     

A mass spectrometric and density functional study of the intermetallic molecules AuBe, AuMg, and AuCa

The intermetallic molecules AuBe and AuCa were identified by means of the Knudsen-Effusion Mass Spectrometry technique in the high-temperature vapors produced by vaporizing Au-Be-Ca alloys of proper composition. The gaseous equilibria AuBe(g)+Au(g)=Au(2)(g)+Be(g) and AuCa(g)+Au(g)=Au(2)(g)+Ca(g) were studied in the temperature ranges 1720-1841 K and 1669-1841 K, respectively, by monitoring the partial pressures of all the species involved. The equilibrium data were analyzed by the third-law method, obtaining for the first time the dissociation energy D(0) ( composite function) of the two intermetallic species: D(0) ( composite function)(AuBe)=234.0+/-4.0 kJ/mol; D(0) ( composite function)(AuCa)=246.7+/-4.0 kJ/mol. These values are significantly higher than the recently published D(0) ( composite function) of the species AuMg (175.4+/-2.7 kJ/mol). Furthermore, the ionization energies (IE) of AuBe, AuMg, and AuCa were obtained by measuring the electron impact ionization efficiency curves, IE(AuBe)=7.5+/-0.3 eV, IE(AuMg)=6.7+/-0.3 eV, and IE(AuCa)=5.5+/-0.3 eV. Theoretical calculations were also carried out for these species by density functional theory methods (PW91 and BP86) used in conjunction with Stuttgart relativistic effective core potentials. Both functionals were found to perform very well in reproducing experimental D(0) ( composite function), IE, and molecular parameters.     

Use of electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) for the study of europium(III) complexation with bis(dialkyltriazinyl)pyridines and its implications in the design of new extracting agents

ESI mass spectrometry was used to investigate the europium complexation by tridentate ligands L identical with 2,6-bis(5,6-dialkyl-1,2,4-triazin-3-yl)-pyridines (DATP) that have shown unique separation properties of actinides(III) from lanthanides(III) in nitric acid solutions. Complexes of three ligands, namely methyl (DMTP), n-propyl (DnPTP), and iso-propyl (DiPTP), have been investigated in acidic solutions to check the aqueous-phase stability of Eu(L)(3)(3+) ions identified previously in the solid state. The data obtained show, first, the presence of stable Eu(L)(3)(3+) ions with DnPTP (log beta(3)(app) = 12.0 +/- 0.5) and DiPTP (log beta(3)(app) = 14.0 +/- 0.6) in methanol/water (1:1 v/v) solutions under pH range 2.8-4.6 and, second, a mechanism whereby alkyl moieties contribute to a self-assembling process leading to the formation of Eu(L)(3)(3+) ions. Other complexes such as Eu(L)(2)(3+) ions are only observed for DnPTP (log beta(2)(app) = 6.7 +/- 0.5) and DMTP (log beta(2)(app) = 6.3 +/- 0.1) and Eu(L)(3+) only for DMTP (log beta(1)(app) = 2.9 +/- 0.2). The log beta(n)(app) values for the Eu(L)(n)(3+) (n = 1-3) complexes were determined at pH 2.8. Better insight was given in this study concerning the role of the hydrophobic exterior of the ligands for the design of a new range of extracting agents.     

Ions generated from uranyl nitrate solutions by electrospray ionization (ESI) and detected with fourier transform ion-cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionization (ESI) of uranyl nitrate solutions generates a wide variety of positively and negatively charged ions, including complex adducts of uranyl ions with methoxy, hydroxy, and nitrate ligands. In the positive ion mode, ions detected by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry are sensitive to instrumental tuning parameters such as quadrupole operating frequency and trapping time. Positive ions correspond to oligomeric uranyl nitrate species that can be characterized as having a general formula of [(UO(2))(n)(A)(m)(CH(3)OH)(s)](+) or [(UO(2))(n)(O)(A)(m)(CH(3)OH)(s)](+) with n = 1-4, m = 1-7, s = 0 or 1, and A = OH, NO(3), CH(3)O or a combination of these, although the formation of NO(3)-containing species is preferred. In the negative ion mode, complexes of the form [(UO(2))(NO(3))(m)](-) (m = 1-3) are detected, although the formation of the oxo-containing ions [(UO(2))(O)(n)(NO(3))(m)](-) (n = 1-2, m = 1-2) and the hydroxy-containing ions [(UO(2))(OH)(n)(NO(3))(m)](-) (n = 1-2, m = 0-1) are also observed. The extent of coordinative unsaturation of both positive and negative ions can be determined by ligand association/exchange and H/D exchange experiments using D(2)O and CD(3)OD as neutral reaction partners in the gas-phase. Positive ions are of varying stability and reactivity and may fragment extensively upon collision with D(2)O, CD(3)OD and N(2) in sustained off-resonance irradiation/collision-induced dissociation (SORI-CID) experiments. Electron-transfer reactions, presumably occurring during electrospray ionization but also in SORI-CID, can result in reduction of U(VI) to U(V) and perhaps even U(IV).