Electronic spectrum of UO2(2+) and [UO2Cl4]2- calculated with time-dependent density functional theory

The electronic spectra of UO(2) (2+) and [UO(2)Cl(4)](2-) are calculated with a recently proposed relativistic time-dependent density functional theory method based on the two-component zeroth-order regular approximation for the inclusion of spin-orbit coupling and a noncollinear exchange-correlation functional. All excitations out of the bonding sigma(u) (+) orbital into the nonbonding delta(u) or phi(u) orbitals for UO(2) (2+) and the corresponding excitations for [UO(2)Cl(4)](2-) are considered. Scalar relativistic vertical excitation energies are compared to values from previous calculations with the CASPT2 method. Two-component adiabatic excitation energies, U-O equilibrium distances, and symmetric stretching frequencies are compared to CASPT2 and combined configuration-interaction and spin-orbit coupling results, as well as to experimental data. The composition of the excited states in terms of the spin-orbit free states is analyzed. The results point to a significant effect of the chlorine ligands on the electronic spectrum, thereby confirming the CASPT2 results: The excitation energies are shifted and a different luminescent state is found.     

Electronic structures of WAlO(y) and WAlO(y) (-) (y = 2-4) determined by anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

The anion photoelectron spectra of WAlO(y) (-) (y = 2-4) are presented and assigned based on results of density functional theory calculations. The WAlO(2) (-) and WAlO(3) (-) spectra are both broad, with partially resolved vibrational structure. In contrast, the WAlO(4) (-) spectrum features well-resolved vibrational structure with contributions from three modes. There is reasonable agreement between experiment and theory for all oxides, and calculations are in particular validated by the near perfect agreement between the WAlO(4) (-) photoelectron spectrum and a Franck-Condon simulation based on computationally determined spectroscopic parameters. The structures determined from this study suggest strong preferential W-O bond formation, and ionic bonding between Al(+) and WO(y) (-2) for all anions. Neutral species are similarly ionic, with WAlO(2) and WAlO(3) having electronic structure that suggests Al(+) ionically bound to WO(y) (-) and WAlO(4) being described as Al(+2) ionically bound to WO(4) (-2). The doubly-occupied 3sp hybrid orbital localized on the Al center is energetically situated between the bonding O-local molecular orbitals and the anti- or non-bonding W-local molecular orbitals. The structures determined in this study are very similar to structures recently determined for the analogous MoAlO(y) (-)∕MoAlO(y) cluster series, with subtle differences found in the electronic structures [S. E. Waller, J. E. Mann, E. Hossain, M. Troyer, and C. C. Jarrold, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 024302 (2012)].     

High resolution and low-temperature photoelectron spectroscopy of an oxygen-linked fullerene dimer dianion: C(120)O(2-)

C(120)O comprises two C(60) cages linked by a furan ring and is formed by reactions of C(60)O and C(60). We have produced doubly charged anions of this fullerene dimer (C(120)O(2-)) and studied its electronic structure and stability using photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. High resolution and vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra were obtained at 70 K and at several photon energies. The second electron affinity of C(120)O was measured to be 1.02+/-0.03 eV and the intramolecular Coulomb repulsion was estimated to be about 0.8 eV in C(120)O(2-) on the basis of the observed repulsive Coulomb barrier. A low-lying excited state ((2)B(1)) was also observed for C(120)O(-) at 0.09 eV above the ground state ((2)A(1)). The C(120)O(2-) dianion can be viewed as a single electron on each C(60) ball very weakly coupled. Theoretical calculations showed that the singlet and triplet states of C(120)O(2-) are nearly degenerate and can both be present in the experiment. The computed electron binding energies and excitation energies, as well as Franck-Condon factors, are used to help interpret the photoelectron spectra. A C-C bond-cleaved isomer, C(60)-O-C(60) (2-), was also observed with a higher electron binding energy of 1.54 eV.     

Fully relativistic calculations of ThF4

Based on the results of first‐principles density functional theory calculations of the electronic structure of ThF₄ in solid state and molecular form, the study of the Th6p, 5f, 6d, 7s and F2s, 2p states was done. We used the fully relativistic cluster discrete variational method with the local exchange‐correlation potential. The hybridization of F2p and Th5f, 6d, 7s, 7p states in the valence molecular orbitals (VMOs) in the region 0–10 eV and of F2s and Th6p states in the inner valence molecular orbitals (IVMOs) in the region 10–50 eV was studied. The results of relativistic cluster calculations are compared with those obtained for ThF₄ molecule. The energies of ionization of VMOs and of IVMOs were evaluated on the basis of the ground‐state and Slater's transition‐state calculations. The MO energy levels provide a satisfactory interpretation of experimental photoelectron spectra. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2010     

Experimental and Theoretical Electronic Structure Investigations on alpha-Nb(3)Cl(8) and the Intercalated Phase beta'-NaNb(3)Cl(8)

The electronic structures of the cluster compound alpha-Nb(3)Cl(8) and the intercalated phase beta'-NaNb(3)Cl(8) have been studied by core level and valence band X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS and UPS), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and charge-self-consistent molecular orbital (CSC-EH) and band structure (CSC-EH-TB) calculations. The crystal structures of the two compounds consist of layers of interconnected Nb(3)Cl(13) units. XP and UP valence band spectra as well as the band structure calculations show well separated sets of Cl 3p levels at lower energy (higher binding energy) and Nb 4d levels at higher energy (lower binding energy), indicative of mainly ionic Nb-Cl bonding. The UP spectra of alpha-Nb(3)Cl(8) reveal a triple-peak structure for the Nb 4d levels, corresponding to the 1a(1), 1e, and 2a(1) metal-metal bonding orbitals of a seven-electron Nb(3) cluster as suggested by theory. The valence band shapes are in good agreement with the theoretical density-of-states curve. The relative intensities in the XP valence band spectra of beta'-NaNb(3)Cl(8) evidence an additional electron in the Nb 4d orbitals. The better resolved UP spectra, however, show a broad pattern for the Nb 4d levels which is neither expected from a single cluster model nor given by the theoretical density-of-states curve. Possible origins for this discrepancy between experiment and theory are discussed. Electrostatic interactions between Na(+) and Cl(-) ions in beta'-NaNb(3)Cl(8) lead to a narrowing of the Cl 2p core level and Cl 3p valence band signals, the former being shifted to higher binding energy in comparison to alpha-Nb(3)Cl(8). Two rather narrow absorptions in the optical spectra of alpha-Nb(3)Cl(8) are assigned to the transitions from the 1a(1) and 1e levels into the singly occupied 2a(1) orbital. These absorptions are missing in the optical spectra of beta'-NaNb(3)Cl(8), in agreement with the theoretical expectations for an eight electron Nb(3) cluster.     

Spectroscopy of UO(2)Cl(4)(2)(-) in basic aluminum chloride-1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride

The optical absorption, emission, FT Raman, one-photon excitation, two-photon excitation, and luminescence lifetime measurements are reported for UO(2)Cl(4)(2)(-) in 40:60 AlCl(3)-EMIC (where EMIC identical with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride), a room-temperature ionic liquid. Comparison of the spectra with previous results from single crystals containing UO(2)Cl(4)(2)(-) allowed the characterization of four ground-state vibrational frequencies, two excited-state vibrational frequencies, and the location of eight electronic excited-state energy levels. The vibrational frequencies and electronic energy levels are found to be consistent with the UO(2)Cl(4)(2)(-) ion. Comparison of the one-photon and two-photon excitation spectra, and the relative intensities of the transitions in the emission spectrum indicate that the center of symmetry is perturbed by an interaction with the solvent.     

Electronic properties and dissociative photoionization of thiocyanates. Part II. Valence and shallow-core (sulfur and chlorine 2p) regions of chloromethyl thiocyanate, CH2ClSCN

A combination of photoelectron spectroscopy and synchrotron based photoelectron photoion coincidence (PEPICO) spectra has been applied to investigate the electronic structure and the dissociative ionization of the CH(2)ClSCN molecule in the valence region. The PES is assigned with the electronic structure calculations at the outer-valence Green's function and symmetry adapted cluster/configuration interaction (SAC-CI) levels offer an explanation of our experimental results. Upon vacuum ultraviolet irradiation the low-lying radical cation, located at 10.39 eV is formed. The molecular ion is observed in the time-of-flight mass spectra, together with the CH(2)SCN(+) and CH(2)Cl(+) daughter ions. The total ion yield spectra have been measured in the S 2p and Cl 2p regions and several channels have been determined in dissociative photoionization events for the core-excited species. Thus, by using time-of-flight mass spectrometry and synchrotron radiation the relative abundances of the ionic fragments and their kinetic energy release values were obtained from both PEPICO and photoelectron photoion photoion coincidence spectra. Possible fragmentation processes are discussed and compared with that found for the related CH(3)SCN species.     

Electronic and structural evolution and chemical bonding in ditungsten oxide clusters: W2O(n)- and W2O(n) (n = 1-6)

We report a systematic and comprehensive investigation of the electronic structures and chemical bonding in a series of ditungsten oxide clusters, W2O(n)- and W2O(n) (n = 1-6), using anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Well-resolved photoelectron spectra were obtained at several photon energies (2.331, 3.496, 4.661, 6.424, and 7.866 eV), and W 5d-based spectral features were clearly observed and distinguished from O 2p-based features. More complicated spectral features were observed for the oxygen-deficient clusters because of the W 5d electrons. With increasing oxygen content in W2O(n)-, the photoelectron spectra were observed to shift gradually to higher binding energies, accompanied by a decreasing number of W 5d-derived features. A behavior of sequential oxidation as a result of charge transfers from W to O was clearly observed. A large energy gap (2.8 eV) was observed in the spectrum of W2O6-, indicating the high electronic stability of the stoichiometric W2O6 molecule. Extensive DFT calculations were carried out to search for the most stable structures of both the anion and neutral clusters. Time-dependent DFT method was used to compute the vertical detachment energies and compare to the experimental data. Molecular orbitals were used to analyze the chemical bonding in the ditungsten oxide clusters and to elucidate their electronic and structural evolution.     

Structures of Mo2Oy- and Mo2Oy (y=2, 3, and 4) studied by anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations

The competitive structural isomers of the Mo(2)O(y) (-)Mo(2)O(y) (y=2, 3, and 4) clusters are investigated using a combination of anion photoelectron (PE) spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The PE spectrum and calculations for MoO(3) (-)MoO(3) are also presented to show the level of agreement to be expected between the spectra and calculations. For MoO(3) (-) and MoO(3), the calculations predict symmetric C(3v) structures, an adiabatic electron affinity of 3.34 eV, which is above the observed value 3.17(2) eV. However, there is good agreement between observed and calculated vibrational frequencies and band profiles. The PE spectra of Mo(2)O(2) (-) and Mo(2)O(3) (-) are broad and congested, with partially resolved vibrational structure on the lowest energy bands observed in the spectra. The electron affinities (EA(a)s) of the corresponding clusters are 2.24(2) and 2.33(7) eV, respectively. Based on the calculations, the most stable structure of Mo(2)O(2) (-) is Y shaped, with the two Mo atoms directly bonded. Assignment of the Mo(2)O(3) (-) spectrum is less definitive, but a O-Mo-O-Mo-O structure is more consistent with overall electronic structure observed in the spectrum. The PE spectrum of Mo(2)O(4) (-) shows cleanly resolved vibrational structure and electronic bands, and the EA of the corresponding Mo(2)O(4) is determined to be 2.13(4) eV. The structure most consistent with the observed spectrum has two oxygen bridge bonds between the Mo atoms.     

Probing the electronic structure of [MoOS(4)](-) centers using anionic photoelectron spectroscopy

Using photodetachment photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) in the gas phase, we investigated the electronic structure and chemical bonding of six anionic [Mo(V)O](3+) complexes, [MoOX(4)](-) (where X = Cl (1), SPh (2), and SPh-p-Cl (3)), [MoO(edt)(2)](-) (4), [MoO(bdt)(2)](-) (5), and [MoO(bdtCl(2))(2)](-) (6) (where edt = ethane-1,2-dithiolate, bdt = benzene-1,2-dithiolate, and bdtCl(2) = 3,6-dichlorobenzene-1,2-dithiolate). The gas-phase PES data revealed a wealth of new electronic structure information about the [Mo(V)O](3+) complexes. The energy separations between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and HOMO-1 were observed to be dependent on the O-Mo-S-C(alpha) dihedral angles and ligand types, being relatively large for the monodentate ligands, 1.32 eV for Cl and 0.78 eV for SPh and SPhCl, compared to those of the bidentate dithiolate complexes, 0.47 eV for edt and 0.44 eV for bdt and bdtCl(2). The threshold PES feature in all six species is shown to have the same origin and is due to detaching the single unpaired electron in the HOMO, mainly of Mo 4d character. This result is consistent with previous theoretical calculations and is verified by comparison with the PES spectra of two d(0) complexes, [VO(bdt)(2)](-) and [VO(bdtCl(2))(2)](-). The observed PES features are interpreted on the basis of theoretical calculations and previous spectroscopic studies in the condensed phase.     

Electronic structure and spectrum of UO2 2+ and UO2Cl4 2-

A theoretical study is presented of the electronic spectra of the UO(2) (2+) and UO(2)Cl(4) (2-) ions, based on multiconfigurational perturbation theory (CASSCF/CASPT2), combined with a recently developed method to treat spin-orbit coupling [P.-A. Malmqvist et al., Chem. Phys. Lett. 357, 230 (2002); B. O. Roos and P.-A. Malmqvist, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 6, 2919 (2004)]. The results are compared to the experimental spectroscopic data obtained for uranyl ions in Cs(2)UO(2)Cl(4) crystals from Denning [Struct. Bonding (Berlin) 79, 215 (1992)] and to previous theoretical calculations performed using a combined configuration-interaction spin-orbit treatment [Z. Zhang and R. M. Pitzer, J. Phys. Chem. A 103, 6880 (1999); S. Matsika and R. M. Pitzer, J. Phys. Chem. A. 105, 637 (2001)]. As opposed to the latter results, the calculations performed in this work point to a significant effect of the weakly bound equatorial chlorine ligands on the excitation energies.     

NMR shielding calculations across the periodic table: diamagnetic uranium compounds. 2. Ligand and metal NMR

In this and a previous article (J. Phys. Chem. A 2000, 104, 8244), the range of application for relativistic density functional theory (DFT) is extended to the calculation of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) shieldings and chemical shifts in diamagnetic actinide compounds. Two relativistic DFT methods are used, ZORA ("zeroth-order regular approximation") and the quasirelativistic (QR) method. In the given second paper, NMR shieldings and chemical shifts are calculated and discussed for a wide range of compounds. The molecules studied comprise uranyl complexes, [UO(2)L(n)](+/-)(q); UF(6); inorganic UF(6) derivatives, UF(6-n)Cl(n), n = 0-6; and organometallic UF(6) derivatives, UF(6-n)(OCH(3))(n), n = 0-5. Uranyl complexes include [UO(2)F(4)](2-), [UO(2)Cl(4)](2-), [UO(2)(OH)(4)](2-), [UO(2)(CO(3))(3)](4-), and [UO(2)(H(2)O)(5)](2+). For the ligand NMR, moderate (e.g., (19)F NMR chemical shifts in UF(6-n)Cl(n)) to excellent agreement [e.g., (19)F chemical shift tensor in UF(6) or (1)H NMR in UF(6-n)(OCH(3))(n)] has been found between theory and experiment. The methods have been used to calculate the experimentally unknown (235)U NMR chemical shifts. A large chemical shift range of at least 21,000 ppm has been predicted for the (235)U nucleus. ZORA spin-orbit appears to be the most accurate method for predicting actinide metal chemical shifts. Trends in the (235)U NMR chemical shifts of UF(6-n)L(n) molecules are analyzed and explained in terms of the calculated electronic structure. It is argued that the energy separation and interaction between occupied and virtual orbitals with f-character are the determining factors.     

Threshold-photoelectron spectroscopic study of methyl-substituted hydrazine compounds

The valence shell electronic structures of methylhydrazine (CH(3)NHNH(2)), 1,1-dimethylhydrazine ((CH(3))(2)NNH(2)) and tetramethylhydrazine ((CH(3))(4)N(2)) have been studied by recording threshold and conventional (kinetic energy resolved) photoelectron spectra. Ab initio calculations have been performed on ammonia and the three methyl substituted hydrazines, with the structures being optimized at the B3-LYP/6-31+G(d) level of theory. The ionization energies of the valence molecular orbitals were calculated using the Green's function method, allowing the photoelectron bands to be assigned to specific molecular orbitals. The ground-state adiabatic and vertical ionization energies, as determined from the threshold photoelectron spectra, were IE(a) = 8.02 +/- 0.16 eV and IE(v) = 9.36 +/- 0.02 eV for methylhydrazine, IE(a) = 7.78 +/- 0.16 eV and IE(v) = 8.86 +/- 0.01 eV for 1,1-dimethylhydrazine and IE(a) = 7.26 +/- 0.16 eV and IE(v) = 8.38 +/- 0.01 eV for tetramethylhydrazine. Due to the large geometry change that occurs upon ionization, these IE(a) values are all higher than the true thresholds. New features have been observed in the inner valence region and these have been compared with similar structure in the spectrum of hydrazine. The effect of resonant autoionization on the threshold photoelectron yield is discussed. New heats of formation (Delta(f)H) are proposed for the three hydrazines on the basis of G3 calculations: 107, 94, and 95 kJ/mol for methylhydrazine, 1,1-dimethyhydrazine and tetramethylhydrazine, respectively. The previously reported Delta(f)H for tetramethylhydrazine is shown to be erroneous.     

Soft x-ray photoreactions of CF3Cl adsorbed on Si(111)-7x7 studied by continuous-time photon-stimulated desorption spectroscopy near F(1s) edge

The continuous-time core-level photon-stimulated desorption (PSD) spectroscopy was employed to monitor the monochromatic soft x-ray-induced reactions of CF3Cl adsorbed on Si(111)-7x7 near the F(1s) edge (681-704 eV). Sequential F+ PSD spectra were measured as a function of photon exposure at the CF3Cl-covered surface (dose=0.3x10(15) molecules/cm2, approximately 0.75 ML). The F+ PSD and total electron yield (TEY) spectra of molecular solid CF3Cl near the F(1s) edge were also measured. Both F+ PSD and TEY spectra show two features at the energy positions of 690.2 and 692.6 eV, and are attributed to the excitations of F(1s) to 11a1[(C-Cl)*] and (8e+12a1)[(C-F)*] antibonding orbitals, respectively. Following Auger decay, two holes are created in the F(2p) lone pair and/or C-F bonding orbitals forming the 2h1e final state which leads to the F+ desorption. This PSD mechanism, which is responsible for the F+ PSD of solid CF3Cl, is employed to interpret the first F+ PSD spectrum in the sequential F+ PSD spectra. The variation of spectrum shapes in the sequential F+ PSD spectra indicates the dissipation of adsorbed CF3Cl molecules and the formation of surface SiF species as a function of photon exposure. From the sequential F+ PSD spectra the photolysis cross section of the adsorbed CF3Cl molecules by photons with varying energy (681-704 eV) is determined to be approximately 1.0x10(-17) cm2.     

Electronic spectra of uranyl chloride complexes in acetone: a CASSCF/CASPT2 investigation

A theoretical study is presented of the electronic spectra of the complexes UO(2)Cl(2)ac(4), UO(2)Cl(2)ac(3), [UO(2)Cl(3)ac(2)](-) and [UO(2)Cl(3)ac](-) (ac = acetone) using perturbation theory based on a complete-active-space type wavefunction (CASSCF/CASPT2). Both scalar relativistic effects and spin-orbit coupling were included in the calculations. The calculated excitation energies and oscillator strength values have been compared to the experimental absorption spectrum for uranyl chloride complexes in acetone solution, for chloride-to-uranyl ratios between two and three. The main purpose of this work was to investigate the origin of the remarkable intensity increase observed in the lower part of the experimental absorption spectra, upon addition of chloride to uranyl complexes in acetone. The calculated excitation energies for the different complexes are similar and closely correspond to the experimental data. However, in none of the theoretical spectra, the high intensities observed in the lower part of the experimental spectrum are reproduced.     

Electronic structures and electron detachment energies of halogen substituted acetate anions, XCH2COO- (X=F,Cl,Br)

The electronic structures and the halogen inductive effects on the acetate anion were investigated in XCH2COO- (X=F,Cl,Br) by photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) and ab initio calculations. The PES spectra indicated that the electron binding energies increased in the order of FCl>Br. These systematic changes of detachment energy and IPs were explained by examining the charge redistributions upon detaching electrons.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy of the Cl(-)...H(2)D(2) anions: a model beyond the rotationless and Franck-Condon approximations

A model for simulating photoelectron spectra of the triatomic van der Waals complexes containing stable atomic anion and diatomic molecule is proposed and applied to the Cl(-)...H(2) and Cl(-)...D(2) anions. The model assumes adiabatic separation of the electronic and nuclear motions and localization of the photodetachment act at the atomic chromophore. Under these approximations, the electronic transition dipole moment matrix elements are evaluated using the atoms-in-molecule approach and explicit expressions for the rovibrational line strength factors are derived. The energies and intensities of a number of rovibronic photoelectron transitions are calculated for the Cl(-)...H(2) and Cl(-)...D(2) anions within the adiabatic bender model, i.e., with the full separation of the vibrational motions, whereas the simulations of the broad spectral envelopes are performed using the equilibrium conditions, asymmetric line shape function, and two choices of the relative abundances of the para- and ortho-forms of the complex. The simulations reproduce experimental spectra reasonably well allowing for their unambiguous assignment in terms of vibronic transitions fully consistent with the previous time-dependent calculations. Agreement with the previous theoretical works, manifestations of non-Franck-Condon effects, and implications to the assessment of the neutral potential energy surfaces are discussed.     

On the structure and chemical bonding of Si6(2-) and Si6(2-) in NaSi6(-) upon Na+ coordination

Photoelectron spectroscopy was combined with ab initio calculations to elucidate the structure and bonding in Si6 2- and NaSi6 -. Well-resolved electronic transitions were observed in the photoelectron spectra of Si6 - and NaSi6 - at three photon energies (355, 266, and 193 nm). The spectra of NaSi6 - were observed to be similar to those of Si6 - except that the electron binding energies of the former are lower, suggesting that the Si6 motif in NaSi6 - is structurally and electronically similar to that in Si6 -. The electron affinities of Si6 and NaSi6 were measured fairly accurately to be 2.23+/-0.03 eV and 1.80+/-0.05 eV, respectively. Global minimum structure searches for Si6 2- and NaSi6 - were performed using gradient embedded genetic algorithm followed by B3LYP, MP2, and CCSDT calculations. Vertical electron detachment energies were calculated for the lowest Si6 - and NaSi6 - structures at the CCSD(T)/6-311+G(2df), ROVGF/6-311+G(2df), UOVGF/6-311+G(2d), and time-dependent B3LYP/6-311+G(2df) levels of theory. Experimental vertical detachment energies were used to verify the global minimum structure for NaSi6 -. Though the octahedral Si6 2-, analogous to the closo form of borane B6H6 2-, is the most stable form for the bare hexasilicon dianion, it is not the kernel for the NaSi6 - global minimum. The most stable isomer of NaSi6 - is based on a Si6 2- motif, which is distorted into C2v symmetry similar to the ground state structure of Si6 -. The octahedral Si6 2- coordinated by a Na+ is a low-lying isomer and was also observed experimentally. The chemical bonding in Si6 2- and NaSi6 - was understood using natural bond orbital, molecular orbital, and electron localization function analyses.     

Evolution of the electronic properties of Snn- clusters (n=4-45) and the semiconductor-to-metal transition

The electronic structure of Sn(n) (-) clusters (n=4-45) was examined using photoelectron spectroscopy at photon energies of 6.424 eV (193 nm) and 4.661 eV (266 nm) to probe the semiconductor-to-metal transition. Well resolved photoelectron spectra were obtained for small Sn(n) (-) clusters (n< or =25), whereas more congested spectra were observed with increasing cluster size. A distinct energy gap was observed in the photoelectron spectra of Sn(n) (-) clusters with n< or =41, suggesting the semiconductor nature of small neutral tin clusters. For Sn(n) (-) clusters with n> or =42, the photoelectron spectra became continuous and no well-defined energy gap was observed, indicating the onset of metallic behavior for the large Sn(n) clusters. The photoelectron spectra thus revealed a distinct semiconductor-to-metal transition for Sn(n) clusters at n=42. The spectra of small Sn(n) (-) clusters (n< or =13) were also compared with those of the corresponding Si(n) (-) and Ge(n) (-) clusters, and similarities were found between the spectra of Sn(n) (-) and those of Ge(n) (-) in this size range, except for Sn(12) (-), which led to the discovery of stannaspherene (the icosahedral Sn(12) (2-)) previously [L. F. Cui et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 128, 8391 (2006)].     

On the aromaticity of square planar Ga4(2-) and In4(2-) in gaseous NaGa4- and NaIn4- clusters

We investigated the electronic structure and chemical bonding of two bimetallic clusters NaGa4- and NaIn4-. Photoelectron spectra of the anions were obtained and compared with ab initio calculations. We found that the ground state of the two anions contains a square planar dianion interacting with a Na+ cation. The Ga4(2-) and In4(2-) dianions both possess two delocalized pi electrons and are considered to be aromatic, similar to that recently found in Al4(2-). Using calculations for a model compound, we showed that a recently synthesized Ga4-organometallic compound also contains an aromatic -Ga4(2-)- unit, analogous to the gaseous clusters.