Electronic states and spin-orbit splitting of lanthanum dimer

Lanthanum dimer (La(2)) was studied by mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy and a series of multi-configuration ab initio calculations. The MATI spectrum exhibits three band systems originating from ionization of the neutral ground electronic state, and each system shows vibrational frequencies of the neutral molecule and singly charged cation. The three ionization processes are La(2)(+) (a(2)∑(g)(+)) ← La(2) (X(1)∑(g)(+)), La(2)(+) (b(2)Π(3/2, u)) ← La(2) (X(1)∑(g)(+)), and La(2)(+) (b(2)Π(1/2, u)) ← La(2) (X(1)∑(g)(+)), with the ionization energies of 39,046, 40,314, and 40,864 cm(-1), respectively. The vibrational frequency of the X(1)Σ(g)(+) state is 207 cm(-1), and those of the a(2)Σ(g)(+), b(2)Π(3/2, u) and b(2)Π(1/2, u) are 235.7, 242.2, and 240 cm(-1). While X(1)Σ(g)(+) is the ground state of the neutral molecule, a(2)Σ(g (+) and b(2)Π(u) are calculated to be the excited states of the cation. The spin-orbit splitting in the b(2)Π(u) ion is 550 cm(-1). An X(4)Σ(g)(-) state of La(2)(+) was predicted by theory, but not observed by the experiment. The determination of a singlet ground state of La(2) shows that lanthanum behaves differently from scandium and yttrium.     

Mass-analyzed threshold ionization study of vinyl bromide cation in the first excited electronic state using vacuum-ultraviolet radiation generated by four-wave mixing in Hg

The vibrational spectrum of the vinyl bromide cation in the first excited electronic state A 2A' was obtained by one-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy. The use of an improved vacuum-ultraviolet radiation source based on four-wave sum frequency mixing in Hg resulted in excellent sensitivity for MATI signals. From the MATI spectrum, the ionization energy to the A 2A' state of the cation was determined to be 10.9150+/-0.0006 eV. Nearly complete vibrational assignments for the MATI peaks were possible by utilizing the vibrational frequencies and Franck-Condon factors calculated at the density-functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT/B3LYP levels with the 6-311+G(df,p) basis set.     

Mass-analyzed threshold ionization study of vinyl chloride cation in the first excited electronic state using vacuum ultraviolet radiation in the 107-102.8 nm range

Vibrational spectrum of vinyl chloride cation in the first excited electronic state, A2 A', was obtained by one-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy. Use of an improved vacuum ultraviolet radiation source based on four-wave sum frequency mixing in Hg resulted in excellent sensitivity for the MATI signals. From the MATI spectrum, the ionization energy to the A2 A' state of the cation was determined to be 11.6667 +/- 0.0006 eV. Nearly complete vibrational assignment for the MATI peaks was possible by utilizing the vibrational frequencies and Franck-Condon factors calculated at the DFT and TDDFT/B3LYP levels with the 6-311++G(3df,3pd) basis set. Geometry of the cation in the A2 A' state was determined by Franck-Condon fitting of the MATI spectrum.     

Mass-analyzed threshold ionization and structural isomers of M(3)O(4) (M = Sc, Y, and La)

M(3)O(4) (M = Sc, Y, and La) were produced in a pulsed laser-vaporization molecular beam source and studied by mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations. Adiabatic ionization energies (AIEs) of the neutral clusters and vibrational frequencies of the cations were measured accurately for the first time from the MATI spectra. Five possible structural isomers of M(3)O(4) were considered in the calculations and spectral analysis. A cage-like structure in C(3v) point group was identified as the most stable one. The structure is formed by fusing three M(2)O(2) fragments together, each sharing two O-M bonds with others. The ground electronic state of the neutral clusters is (2)A(1) with the unpaired electron being largely a metal-based s character. Ionization of the (2)A(1) state yields a (1)A(1) ion state in a similar geometry to the neutral cluster. The AIEs of the clusters are 4.4556 (6), 4.0586(6), and 3.4750(6) eV for M = Sc, Y, and La, respectively. The observed vibrational modes of the cations include metal-oxygen stretching, metal triangle breathing, and oxygen-metal-oxygen rocking in the frequency range of 200-800 cm(-1).     

One-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of CH2BrI: extensive bending progression, reduced steric effect, and spin-orbit effect in the cation

One-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectrum of CH2BrI was obtained using coherent vacuum-ultraviolet radiation generated by four-wave difference-frequency mixing in Kr. Unlike CH2ClI investigated previously, a very extensive bending (Br-C-I) progression was observed. Vibrational frequencies of CH2BrI+ were measured from the spectra and the vibrational assignments were made by utilizing frequencies calculated by the density-functional-theory (DFT) method using relativistic effective core potentials with and without the spin-orbit terms. A noticeable spin-orbit effect on the vibrational frequencies was observed from the DFT calculations, even though its influence was not so dramatic as in CH2ClI+. A simple explanation based on the bonding characteristics of the molecular orbitals involved in the ionization is presented to account for the above differences between the MATI spectra of CH2BrI and CH2ClI. The 0-0 band of the CH2BrI spectrum could be identified through the use of combined data from calculations and experiments. The adiabatic ionization energy determined from the position of this band was 9.5944+/-0.0006 eV, which was significantly smaller than the vertical ionization energy reported previously.     

Vibrations and theoretical calculations of p-methylanisole in the first electronically excited S1 and ionic ground D0 states

One-color (1C), two-color (2C) resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI), and mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) methods have been applied to study the S(1)<--S(0) transition and threshold ionization of p-methylanisole. The excitation energy of the S(1)<--S(0) transition is determined to be 35,401+/-2 cm(-1), the adiabatic ionization energy of this molecule is measured to be 63,965+/-15 and 63,972+/-5 cm(-1) by the 2C-R2PI and MATI methods. Most of the observed R2PI and MATI bands result from the in-plane ring vibrations. The frequencies of vibrations 9b, 1 and 7a are measured to be 393, 800 and 1168 cm(-1) in the S(1) state, and 412, 811 and 1220 cm(-1) in the D(0) state, respectively. This indicates the molecular structure in the D(0) state is more rigid than that in the S(1) state.     

Mass analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of o-, m-, and p-dichlorobenzenes. Influence of the chlorine position on vibrational spectra and ionization energy

For the first time, vibrational spectra of the 35Cl2 and 35Cl37Cl isotopomers of o-, m-, and p-dichlorobenzene cations in the electronic ground state have been measured via S1 intermediate states by mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy. Additionally, ab initio calculations at DFT (density functional theory), CIS (configuration interaction singles), and CASSCF (complete active space self-consistent field) levels of theory have been conducted to compare experimental findings with theory. From the MATI spectra, adiabatic ionization energies of the ortho, meta, and para isomers have been determined to be the same for each pair of investigated isotopomers to 73,237 +/- 6, 72,191 +/- 6, and 73,776 +/- 6 cm(-1), respectively. Several vibrational modes, including fundamentals, combinations, and progressions have been assigned by comparing the experimental and theoretical results. The appearance of overtone progressions involving the 7a mode could be explained by a geometry change of all three isomers during ionization in the direction of this mode by retraining the symmetry of the molecules. Although the general spectral features of the investigated isotopomers are similar, frequencies of some vibrations are slightly different up to a few wavenumbers depending on the involvement of the chlorine atoms in the molecular motion.     

One-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of 2-chloropropene (2-C3H5Cl) and its vibrational assignment based on the density-functional theory calculations

A high-quality mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectrum of 2-chloropropene, 2-C3H5Cl, is reported. Its ionization energy determined for the first time from the 0-0 band position was 9.5395+/-0.0006 eV. Almost all the peaks in the MATI spectrum could be vibrationally assigned utilizing the frequencies calculated at the B3LYP6-311++G(3df,3pd) level and the Franck-Condon factors calculated with the molecular parameters obtained at the same level. In particular, the observed methyl torsional progression could be reproduced very well through quantum-mechanical calculations using the molecular parameters obtained at this level. Dramatic lowering of the torsional barrier inferred from the experimental data was entirely compatible with the B3LYP6-311++G(3df,3pd) results. The torsional barrier and the internal rotational constant determined by fits to six torsional peaks were 53.6 and 5.20 cm(-1), respectively. A brief discussion at the level of molecular orbital is presented to account for the dramatic lowering of the torsional barrier upon ionization.     

The visible spectrum of zirconium dioxide, ZrO2

The electronic spectrum of a cold molecular beam of zirconium dioxide, ZrO(2), has been investigated using laser induced fluorescence (LIF) in the region from 17,000 cm(-1) to 18,800 cm(-1) and by mass-resolved resonance enhanced multi-photon ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy from 17,000 cm(-1)-21,000 cm(-1). The LIF and REMPI spectra are assigned to progressions in the A?(1)B(2)(ν(1), ν(2), ν(3)) ← X?(1)A(1)(0, 0, 0) transitions. Dispersed fluorescence from 13 bands was recorded and analyzed to produce harmonic vibrational parameters for the X?(1)A(1) state of ω(1) = 898(1) cm(-1), ω(2) = 287(2) cm(-1), and ω(3) = 808(3) cm(-1). The observed transition frequencies of 45 bands in the LIF and REMPI spectra produce origin and harmonic vibrational parameters for the A?(1)B(2) state of T(e) = 16,307(8) cm(-1), ω(1) = 819(3) cm(-1), ω(2) = 149(3) cm(-1), and ω(3) = 518(4) cm(-1). The spectra were modeled using a normal coordinate analysis and Franck-Condon factor predictions. The structures, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and the potential energies as a function of bending angle for the A?(1)B(2) and X?(1)A(1) states are predicted using time-dependent density functional theory, complete active space self-consistent field, and related first-principle calculations. A comparison with isovalent TiO(2) is made.     

Structure of the vinyldiazomethyl anion and energetic comparison to the cyclic isomers

The 351.1 nm photoelectron spectrum of the vinyldiazomethyl anion has been measured. The ion is generated through the reaction of the allyl anion with N(2)O in helium buffer gas in a flowing afterglow source. The spectrum exhibits the vibronic structure of the vinyldiazomethyl radical in its electronic ground state as well as in the first excited state. Electronic structure calculations have been performed for these molecules at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. A Franck-Condon simulation of the X (2)A' state portion of the spectrum has been carried out using the geometries and normal modes of the anion and radical obtained from these calculations. The simulation unambiguously shows that the ions predominantly have an E conformation. The electron affinity (EA) of the radical has been determined to be 1.864 +/- 0.007 eV. Vibrational frequencies of 185 +/- 10 and 415 +/- 20 cm(-1) observed in the spectrum have been identified as in-plane CCN bending and CCC bending modes, respectively, for the X (2)A' state. The spectrum for the A (2)A' state is broad and structureless, reflecting large geometry differences between the anion and the radical, particularly in the CCN angle, as well as vibronic coupling with the X (2)A' state. The DFT calculations have also been used to better understand the mechanism of the allyl anion reaction with N(2)O. Collision-induced dissociation of the structural isomer of the vinyldiazomethyl anion, the 1-pyrazolide ion, has been examined, and energetics of the structural isomers is discussed.     

High-spin electronic states of lanthanide-arene complexes: Nd(benzene) and Nd(naphthalene)

Neodymium (Nd) complexes of benzene and naphthalene were synthesized in a laser-ablation supersonic molecular beam source. High-resolution electron spectra of these complexes were obtained using pulsed-field ionization zero electron kinetic energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy. Second-order M?ller-Plesset perturbation calculations were employed to aid spectral and electronic-state assignments. The adiabatic ionization energies were measured to be 38 081 (5) cm(-1) for Nd(benzene) and 37 815 (5) cm(-1) for Nd(naphthalene). For the Nd(benzene) complex, the observed frequencies of 831 and 286 cm(-1) were assigned to C-H out-of-plane bending and Nd(+)-C(6)H(6) stretching modes in the (6)A(1) ion state and 256 cm(-1) to the Nd-C(6)H(6) stretching mode in the (7)A(1) neutral state. To confirm these assignments, the ZEKE spectrum of the deuterated species was recorded, and the corresponding vibrational frequencies were measured to be 710 and 277 cm(-1) in the ion state and 236 cm(-1) in the neutral state. For the Nd(naphthalene) complex, the observed vibrational modes were C(10)H(8) bending (394 cm(-1)), Nd(+)-C(10)H(8) stretching (286 and 271 cm(-1)), Nd(+)-C(10)H(8) bending (80 cm(-1)), and C(10)H(8) twisting (105 cm(-1)) in the (6)A(') ion state and metal-ligand bending (60 cm(-1)) and ligand twisting (55 cm(-1)) in the (7)A(') neutral state. The formation of the ground state of the Nd(benzene) complex requires 4f → 5d and 6s → 5d electron excitation of the Nd atom, whereas the formation of the ground state of Nd(naphthalene) involves the 6s → 5d electron promotion.     

Rydberg spectra of trans-1,2-dibromoethylene

(2+1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization spectra of jet-cooled trans-1,2-dibromoethylene are reported for the first time. The two-photon spectral region between 149.7 and 141.2 nm was examined. A 4p(z)<--pi Rydberg transition between 66,800 and 68,000 cm(-1) with A(g) excited state symmetry was analyzed, as well as two 4f<--pi Rydberg transitions with B(g) excited state symmetry and one 4f<--pi Rydberg transition with A(g) excited state symmetry between 68,000 and 70,800 cm(-1). All Rydberg transitions observed in this work belong to series that converge to the first ionization potential of the molecule. The short vibrational progressions observed involve two totally symmetric in-plane normal modes: C=C-H bending (nu(3)) and C=C-Br bending (nu(5)) with average excited state frequencies of 829 and 226 cm(-1), respectively.     

Vacuum ultraviolet mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of hexafluorobenzene: the Jahn-Teller effect and vibrational analysis

One-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectrum of hexafluorobenzene was obtained by using vacuum ultraviolet radiation generated by four-wave difference frequency mixing in Kr. The ionization energy of hexafluorobenzene determined from the position of the 0-0 band was 9.9108+/-0.0006 eV. To aid the spectral analysis, the Jahn-Teller coupling parameters for four e(2g) modes of C(6)F(6) (+) in the ground electronic state were calculated from the topographical data of the potential energy surface obtained at the density functional theory (DFT) level. These were used in the initial calculation of the energies of the Jahn-Teller states and upgraded through the multimode fit to the experimental data. Excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated frequencies was achieved. The vibrations which are not linear Jahn-Teller active were observed and could be assigned by referring to the frequencies obtained at the DFT level.     

One-color two-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of ethyl bromide through a dissociative intermediate state

Mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectra of ethyl bromide were obtained using one-color two-photon ionization through a dissociative intermediate state. Accurate values for the adiabatic ionization energy have been obtained, 83099+/-5 and 85454+/-5 cm(-1) for the X1 2E and X2 2E states of the ethyl bromide cation, respectively, giving a splitting of 2355+/-10 cm(-1). Compared with conventional photoelectron data, the two-photon MATI spectrum exhibited a more extensive vibrational structure with a higher resolution, mainly containing the modes involving the dissociation coordinate. The observed modes were analyzed and discussed in terms of wave packet evolving on the potential-energy surface of the dissociative state.     

Pulsed-field ionization zero electron kinetic energy spectrum of the ground electronic state of BeOBe+

The ground electronic state of BeOBe(+) was probed using the pulsed-field ionization zero electron kinetic energy photoelectron technique. Spectra were rotationally resolved and transitions to the zero-point level, the symmetric stretch fundamental and first two bending vibrational levels were observed. The rotational state symmetry selection rules confirm that the ground electronic state of the cation is (2)Σ(g)(+). Detachment of an electron from the HOMO of neutral BeOBe results in little change in the vibrational or rotational constants, indicating that this orbital is nonbonding in nature. The ionization energy of BeOBe [65480(4) cm(-1)] was refined over previous measurements. Results from recent theoretical calculations for BeOBe(+) (multireference configuration interaction) were found to be in good agreement with the experimental data.     

Pulsed-field ionization electron spectroscopy of group 6 metal (Cr, Mo, and W) bis(benzene) sandwich complexes

Group 6 metal bis(benzene) sandwich complexes (M-bz(2): M=Cr, Mo, and W and bz=C(6)H(6)) were produced with laser vaporization molecular beam techniques and studied by pulsed-field ionization zero electron kinetic energy spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Each sandwich complex is in a D(6h) eclipsed configuration with (1)A(1g) and (2)A(1g) as the neutral and cationic ground electronic states, respectively. The adiabatic ionization energies for Cr-, Mo-, and W-bz(2) are measured to be 44,081(7), 44,581(10), and 43,634(7) cm(-1), respectively. The metal-benzene stretch and benzene torsion frequencies of the ion are measured to be 264, 277, and 370 cm(-1) and 11, 21, and 45 cm(-1) for Cr-, Mo-, and W-bz(2), respectively. In addition, a C-H out-of-plane bending mode is measured to be 787 cm(-1) for the Cr(+)-bz(2) complex, while a C-C in-plane bending mode is measured to be 614 cm(-1) for the W(+)-bz(2) complex. The unusual trend in the ionization energy and metal-benzene stretch frequency indicates strong relativistic effects on tungsten binding.     

Photoinduced Rydberg ionization spectroscopy of phenylacetylene: vibrational assignments of the C state of the cation

The photoinduced Rydberg ionization spectrum of the third excited electronic state of phenylacetylene cation was recorded via the origin of the cation ground electronic state. The origin of this state is 17 834 cm(-1) above the ground state of the cation, and the spectrum shows well-resolved vibrational features to the energy of 2200 cm(-1) above this. An assignment of the vibrational structure was made by comparison to calculated frequencies and Franck-Condon factors. From the assignments, and electronic structure considerations, the electronic symmetry of the C state is established to be (2)B(1).     

Fluorescence and REMPI spectroscopy of jet-cooled isolated 2-phenylindene in the S1 state

We investigated the spectroscopy of the first excited singlet electronic state S1 of 2-phenylindene using both fluorescence excitation spectroscopy and resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy. Moreover, we investigated the dynamics of the S1 state by determining state-selective fluorescence lifetimes up to an excess energy of approximately 3400 cm(-1). Ab initio calculations were performed on the torsional potential energy curve and the equilibrium and transition state geometries and normal-mode frequencies of the first excited singlet state S1 on the CIS level of theory. Numerous vibronic transitions were assigned, especially those involving the torsional normal mode. The torsional potentials of the ground and first excited electronic states were simulated by matching the observed and calculated torsional frequency spacings in a least-squares fitting procedure. The simulated S1 potential showed very good agreement with the ab initio potential calculated on the CIS/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. TDDFT energy corrections improved the match with the simulated S(1) torsional potential. The latter calculation yielded a torsional barrier of V2 = 6708 cm(-1), and the simulation a barrier of V2 = 6245 cm(-1). Ground-state normal-mode frequencies were calculated on the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory, which were used to interpret the infrared spectrum, the FDS spectrum of the transition and hot bands of the FES spectrum. The fluorescence intensities of the nu49 overtone progression could reasonably be reproduced by considering the geometry changes upon electronic excitation predicted by the ab initio calculations. On the basis of the torsional potential calculations, it could be ruled out that the uniform excess energy dependence of the fluorescence lifetimes is linked to the torsional barrier in the excited state. The rotational band contour simulation of the transition yielded rotational constants in close agreement to the ab initio values for both electronic states. Rotational coherence signals were obtained by polarization-analyzed, time-resolved measurements of the fluorescence decay of the transition. The simulation of these signals yielded corroborating evidence as to the quality of the ab initio calculated rotational constants of both states. The origin of the anomalous intensity discrepancy between the fluorescence excitation spectrum and the REMPI spectrum is discussed.     

Photodissociation yield spectroscopy of vinyl bromide cation generated by mass-analyzed threshold ionization: vibrational spectroscopy and decay dynamics in the (~)B state

A new technique [mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI)-photodissociation yield spectroscopy] to probe bound excited states of a cation was developed, which measures photodissociation yield of the cation generated by mass-analyzed threshold ionization. A vibrational spectrum of vinyl bromide cation in the (~)B state was obtained using this technique. Optical resolution in the low vibrational energy range of the spectrum was far better than in conventional MATI spectra. The origin of the (~)B state was found at 2.2578+/-0.0003 eV above the first ionization onset. Almost complete vibrational assignment was possible for peaks appearing in the spectrum. Analysis of time-of-flight profiles of C(2)H(3) (+) product ion obtained with different laser polarization angles suggested that photoexcited vinyl bromide cation remained in the (~)B state for several hundred picoseconds prior to internal conversion to the ground state and dissociation therein.