Spectroscopic studies of the Ã-X̃ electronic spectrum of the β-hydroxyethylperoxy radical: structure and dynamics

The jet-cooled A?-X? near IR origin band spectra of the G(1)G(2)G(3) conformer of four β-hydroxyethylperoxy isotopologues, β-HEP (HOCH(2)CH(2)OO), β-DHEP (DOCH(2)CH(2)OO), β-HEP-d(4) (HOCD(2)CD(2)OO), and β-DHEP-d(4) (DOCD(2)CD(2)OO), have been recorded by a cavity ringdown spectrometer with a laser source linewidth of ~70 MHz. The spectra of all four isotopologues have been analyzed and successfully simulated with an evolutionary algorithm, confirming the cyclic structure of the molecule responsible for the observed origin band. The analysis also provides experimental A? and X? state rotational constants and the orientation of the transition dipole moment in the inertial axis system; these quantities are compared to results from electronic structure calculations. The observed, broad linewidth (Δν > 2 GHz) is attributed to a shortened lifetime of the A? state associated with dynamics along the reaction path for hydrogen transfer from the OH to OO group.     

The spectroscopic characterization of the methoxy radical. III. Rotationally resolved Ã2A1-X̃2E electronic and X̃2E submillimeter wave spectra of partially deuterated CH2DO and CHD2O radicals

Rotationally resolved laser induced fluorescence and stimulated emission pumping A?(2)A(1)-X?(2)E spectra, along with pure rotational spectra in the 153-263 GHz region within the E(3/2) component of the ground state in asymmetrically deuterated methoxy radicals CH(2)DO and CHD(2)O have been observed. The combined data set allows for the direct measurement with high precision of the energy separation between the E(1/2) and E(3/2) components of the ground state and the energy separation between the parity stacks in the E(3/2) component of the ground state. The experimentally observed frequencies in both isotopologues are fit to an effective rotational Hamiltonian accounting for rotational and spin-rotational effects arising in a near-prolate asymmetric top molecule with dynamic Jahn-Teller distortion. Isotopic dependencies for the molecular parameters have been successfully implemented to aid the analysis of these very complex spectra. The analysis of the first and second order contributions to the effective values of molecular parameters has been extended to elucidate the physical significance of resulting molecular parameters. Comparisons of measured parameters, e.g., spin-orbit coupling, rotational and spin-rotation constants, are made among the 5 methoxy isotopologues for which data is now available. Comparisons of experimental results, including the derived geometric structure at both the C(3v) conical intersection and at the Jahn-Teller distorted minima, are made with quantum chemistry calculations.     

Optical Stark spectroscopy of the 2(0)(6) Ã1A'-X̃1A' band of chloro-methylene, HCCl

The laser induced fluorescence spectra of the 2(0)(6)A?(1)A(')-X?(1)A(') band of a rotationally cold (<20 K) molecular beam sample of chloro-methylene, HCCl, has been recorded, field-free and in the presence of a static electric field. The field-free spectrum has been analyzed to produce an improved set of spectroscopic parameters for the A?(1)A(') (060) vibronic state. The magnitude of the a-component of the permanent electric dipole moment, μ(a), for the X?(1)A(') (000) vibronic state has been determined to be 0.501(1) D from the analysis of the observed electric field induced shifts. Comparisons with theoretical predictions and flouro-methylene, HCF, are presented.     

The ν2 bending vibrational structure of the X̃2Σ+ state of MgNC

We have generated MgNC in supersonic free jet expansions and observed the laser induced fluorescence (LIF) of the A?(2)Π-X?(2)Σ(+) transition. We measured the LIF dispersed spectra from the single vibronic levels of the A?(2)Π electronic state of MgNC, following excitation of each ν(2) bending vibronic band observed, i.e., the κ series of the (0,v(2)('),0)-(0,0,0), v(2)(') = 0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 vibronic bands. In the vibrational structure in the dispersed fluorescence spectra measured, the long progression of the ν(2) bending mode in the X?(2)Σ(+) state is identified, e.g., up to v(2)(')=14 in the (0,6,0)-(0,v(2)('),0) spectrum. This enables us to derive the potential curve of the ν(2) bending mode in the X?(2)Σ(+) state. We used two kinds of models to obtain the potential curve; (I) the customary formula expressed in the polynomial series of the (v(2)(')+(d(2)/2)) term and (II) the internal rotation model. The potential curve derived from model (I) indicates the convergence of the bending vibrational levels at about 800 cm(-1) from the vibrationless level of MgNC, which may correspond to the barrier height of the isomerization reaction, MgNC ? MgCN, in the X?(2)Σ(+) state. Model (II) gives a simple picture for the isomerization reaction pathway with a barrier height of about 630 cm(-1) from the vibrationless level of the more stable species, MgNC. This shows that the v(2)(')=8 bending vibrational level of MgNC is already contaminated by the v(2)(')=2 bending vibrational level of the isomer, MgCN, and implies that the isomerization reaction begins at the v(2) (')=8 level. The bending potential surface and the isomerization reaction pathway, MgNC ? MgCN, in the X?(2)Σ(+) state are discussed by comparing the potential derived in this study with the surface obtained by quantum chemical calculation.     

The complex spectrum of a "simple" free radical: the Ã-X̃ band system of the jet-cooled boron difluoride free radical

The near-ultraviolet band system of the jet-cooled boron difluoride free radical has been studied by a combination of laser-induced fluorescence and single vibronic level wavelength resolved emission spectroscopies. The radical was produced in a supersonic discharge jet using a precursor mixture of 1%-3% of BF(3) or (10)BF(3) in high pressure argon. A large number of bands were found in the 340-286 nm region and assigned as transitions from the X?(2)A(1) ground state to the lower Renner-Teller component of the A?(2)Π excited state, based on our previous ab initio potential energy surface predictions, matching the emission spectra Franck-Condon profiles of (11)BF(2) and (10)BF(2), and comparison of observed and calculated boron isotope effects. Several bands have been rotationally analyzed providing ground state structural parameters of r(0)(') (BF) = 1.3102(9) ? and θ(0)(') (FBF) = 119.7(6)°. The ground state totally symmetric vibrational energy levels of both boron isotopologues have also been measured and assigned up to energies of more than 8000 cm(-1). Although BF(2) might be considered to be a "simple" free radical, understanding the details of its electronic spectrum remains a major challenge for both theory and experiment.     

Global ab initio potential energy surfaces for both the ground (X̃1A') and excited (Ã1A') electronic states of HNO and vibrational states of the Renner-Teller Ã1A'-X̃1A' system

The global potential energy surfaces for both the ground (X?(1)A(')) and excited (A?(1)A(')) electronic states of the HNO molecule have been constructed by three-dimensional cubic spline interpolation of more than 17,000 ab initio points, which have been calculated at the internal contracted multi-reference configuration interaction level with the Davidson correction using an augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple zeta basis set. The low-lying vibrational energy levels for the two electronic states of HNO have also been calculated on our potential energy surfaces including the diagonal Renner-Teller terms. The calculated results have shown a good agreement with the experimental vibrational frequencies of HNO and its isotopomers.     

Axis-switching in the vibrationless Ã←X̃ transition of the jet-cooled deuterated methyl peroxy radical CD3O2

The jet-cooled high resolution spectrum of the vibrationless A?←X? transition of the deuterated species of the methyl peroxy radical has been recently published in this journal (S. Wu, P. Dupre?, P. Rupper, and T. A. Miller, J. Chem. Phys. 127, 224305 (2007)). The spectrum was analyzed using a rigid-rotor model with quadratic spin-rotation coupling. The analysis was based on the fit of ～350 partially resolved line positions and was quite satisfactory. However, the full simulation of the spectral intensity clearly identifies a lack of ability to reproduce relatively small line clumps ("extra" lines) located between the two main central Q branches. This is indicating of an incomplete initial analysis. In the present paper we reanalyze this electronic transition by considering a reference-frame axis-switching resulting from the nuclear rearrangement associated to the electronic transition (spectra obtained at two different temperatures are considered). The potential energy hypersurfaces of the two electronic states are sufficiently dissimilar to induce changes in the molecule geometry, particularly, the angle COO?, which induces a rotation (～1.7°) of the principal axes of inertia located in the molecule symmetry plane. The present analysis is supported by a global fitting of the spectrum intensity and gives rise to a slightly different set of molecular constants. Attention is paid to the wavefunction symmetry assignment of a non-orthorhombic molecule. Couplings due to the torsion of the methyl group are discussed in the following paper (P. Dupre, J. Chem. Phys. 134, 244309 (2011)).     

CH2 b̃1B1-ã1A1 band origin at 1.20 μm

The origin band in the b?(1)B(1)-a?(1)A(1) transition of CH(2) near 1.2 μm has been recorded at Doppler-limited resolution using diode laser transient absorption spectroscopy. The assignments of rotational transitions terminating in upper state levels with K(a) = 0 and 1, were confirmed by ground state combination differences and extensive optical-optical double resonance experiments. The assigned lines are embedded in a surprisingly dense spectral region, which includes a strong hot band, b?(0,1,0) K(a) = 0 - a?(0,1,0) K(a) = 1 sub-band lines, with combination or overtone transitions in the a?(1)A(1) state likely responsible for the majority of unassigned transitions in this region. From measured line intensities and an estimate of the concentration of CH(2) in the sample, we find the transition moment square for the 0(00) ← 1(10) transition in the b?(1)B(1)(0,0,0)(0)-a?(1)A(1)(0,0,0)(1) sub-band is 0.005(1) D(2). Prominent b?(1)B(1)(0,1,0)(0)-a?(1)A(1)(0,1,0)(1) hot band lines were observed in the same spectral region. Comparison of the intensities of corresponding rotational transitions in the two bands suggests the hot band has an intrinsic strength approximately 28 times larger than the origin band. Perturbations of the excited state K(a) = 0 and 1 levels are observed and discussed. The new measurements will lead to improved future theoretical modeling and calculations of the Renner-Teller effect between the a? and b? states in CH(2).     

The emission spectrum of AsH2(Ã2A1 → X̃2B1) via uv photolysis of AsH3

The AsH₂(òA₁ → X̃²B₁) emission spectrum (402–650 nm) following ArF laser photolysis of AsH₃ is reported. Seven bands are assigned and the relation ν = 19928 + (868v'₂-3v'₂²)-(987v″₂-6v″₂²) is obtained. The AsH₂ (òA₁) radiative lifetime is 130 ± 20 ns. Emission spectra from nascent As and a multiphoton ionization signal were also obtained.     

Detection of vibrational bending mode ν8 and overtone bands of the propargyl radical, HCCCH2 X̃ 2B1

Infrared (IR) absorption spectra of matrix-isolated HCCCH(2) have been measured. Propargyl radicals were generated in a supersonic pyrolysis nozzle, using a method similar to that described in a previous study (Jochnowitz, E. B.; Zhang, X.; Nimlos, M. R.; Varner, M. E.; Stanton, J. F.; Ellison, G. B. J. Phys. Chem. A 2005, 109, 3812-3821). Besides the nine vibrational modes observed in the previous study, this investigation detected the HCCCH(2) X? (2)B(1) out-of-plane bending mode (ν(8)) at 378.0 (±1.9) cm(-1) in a cryogenic argon matrix. This is the first experimental observation of ν(8) for the propargyl radical. In addition, seven overtone and combination bands have also been detected and assigned. Ab initio coupled-cluster anharmonic force field calculations were used to guide the analysis. Furthermore, ν(12), the HCCCH(2) in-plane bending mode, has been assigned to 333 (±10) cm(-1) based on the detection of its overtone (2ν(12), 667.7 ± 1.0 cm(-1)) and a possible combination band (ν(10) + ν(12), 1339.0 ± 0.8 cm(-1)). This is the first experimental estimation of ν(12) for the propargyl radical.     

Quantum state-selected photodissociation dynamics of H2O: two-photon dissociation via the C̃ electronic state

The photodissociation dynamics of H(2)O via the C? state by two-photon excitation has been investigated using the H atom Rydberg tagging time-of-flight technique. The rotational resolved action spectrum of the C?←X? transition band has been measured. The line widths show a pronounced dependence on the parent rotational excitation in the C? state. The quantum state resolved OH product translational energy distributions and angular distributions have also been obtained. By carefully simulating these distributions, quantum state distributions of the OH product as well as the state-resolved angular anisotropy parameters were determined. The experimental results confirm the variation of two competitive predissociation pathways. A heterogeneous predissociation channel is mediated by rotational coupling to the B??(1)A(1) state associated with the a-axis (k(a)(')), and a homogeneous pathway arises from purely electronic coupling to the A??(1)B(1) state. We have also obtained the branching ratios of the OH(X) and OH(A) products, and related these to the C?→A? and C?→B? pathways. The branching ratios display a strong k(a)(') dependence.     

Accurate ab initio ro-vibronic spectroscopy of the X̃2Π CCN radical using explicitly correlated methods

Explicitly correlated CCSD(T)-F12b calculations have been carried out with systematic sequences of correlation consistent basis sets to determine accurate near-equilibrium potential energy surfaces for the X(2)Π and a(4)Σ(-) electronic states of the CCN radical. After including contributions due to core correlation, scalar relativity, and higher order electron correlation effects, the latter utilizing large-scale multireference configuration interaction calculations, the resulting surfaces were employed in variational calculations of the ro-vibronic spectra. These calculations also included the use of accurate spin-orbit and dipole moment matrix elements. The resulting ro-vibronic transition energies, including the Renner-Teller sub-bands involving the bending mode, agree with the available experimental data to within 3 cm(-1) in all cases. Full sets of spectroscopic constants are reported using the usual second-order perturbation theory expressions. Integrated absorption intensities are given for a number of selected vibronic band origins. A computational procedure similar to that used in the determination of the potential energy functions was also utilized to predict the formation enthalpy of CCN, ΔH(f)(0K) = 161.7 ± 0.5 kcal/mol.     

The Ã-state dissociation continuum of NO-Ar and its near infrared spectrum

After preparing NO-Ar in a vibrational state correlating with the first overtone vibration in NO, we recorded its hot band UV spectrum by monitoring simultaneously the intensity in the NO(+) and the NO(+)-Ar ion channels. In this way, the bound as well as the continuous part of the electronic A?←X? spectrum are observed directly. Below the dissociation threshold, the intensity is found exclusively in the NO(+)-Ar ion channel while above it is found in the NO fragment ion channel. We observe simultaneously intensity in both ion channels only for a very narrow frequency range near the dissociation threshold. Structures in the dissociation spectrum correlate well with the thresholds for production of NO(A) in different rotational states. At frequencies well above the dissociation threshold, NO-Ar is detected efficiently as a NO fragment. This fact has been exploited to record the near IR spectrum of NO-Ar with significantly increased sensitivity. The dissociation detected spectra are essentially identical to our previous constant photon energy sum (CONPHOENERS) scans [B. Wen, Y. Kim, H. Meyer, J. K?os, and M. H. Alexander, J. Phys. Chem. A 112, 9483 (2008)]. Several hot band spectra have been remeasured with improved sensitivity enabling a comprehensive analysis yielding for the first time spectroscopic constants for levels associated with the potential surfaces of NO-Ar correlating with NO(v(NO) = 0 and 2). Since many NO-X complexes do not have a strong bound A?-state spectrum, although they do have a A?-state dissociation continuum, there is the possibility to record their near IR spectra by employing dissociation detection.     

Synthesis of 2-Arylbenzofuran: Confirmation of the Structure of Gnetifolin A

GnethelinAu'asisolatedfromGnetumparvghlium(Warb.)C.Y.Chengb}'Lietal.'ItSstructUrextasproPosedpre\'iousl}'as2-(3.5allhydroxT4-methomphen}l)-3-methony-5-hydrox3-benLzofiiran(l).Aner9'nthesisofset1eralanalogsofStrUctUre(l),theStrUCtUrofGnetjfolinAseemstobenustakenanduasrerisedas2K3-5allhydrOny4-methomphenyl)4-methoxy-5-hvdrowtenzofuran(2).=Inordertoconfirmthisrer4ndmCtUranddevelopaversahlewtehcrouteforthe9-nthesisofGnetjfolinAandanalogs,2T-edSyl4-methoxy-5-hydrotwllZofuran(3)u'asselec…     

The ab initio calculation of the band origin and vibrational frequencies of the Ã-X̃ system of HNCl using the non-rigid bender hamiltonian

A three-dimensional fit of ab initio MRD CI potential data has been made for the lowest two electronic states of the HNC1 molecule (X̃ ²A″ and à ²A'), and the corresponding vibrational frequencies and rotational energies have been computed using the non-rigid bender Hamiltonian. For the ground state the vibrational frequencies obtained are ν₁ = 2942 cm⁻¹, ν₂ = 1232 cm⁻¹, and ν₃ = 549 cm⁻¹, while the corresponding values for the first excited state are 3524,947 and 836 cm⁻¹ respectively. We calculate T_c(à ²A') 16200 cm⁻¹, T_o(òA') = 16400 cm⁻¹, and the Franck-Condon maximum, Ã(0,3,1)-X̃(0,0.0), is calculate at 19200 cm⁻¹(5200 Å).     

Variation of radiative lifetimes of NH2(Ã2A1) with rotational levels in the (0, 8, 0) and (0, 9, 0) vibration bands

Radiative lifetimes from the first electronically excited state of the amidogen free radical, NH(2)(A?(2)A(1)), are reported for rotational states in selected vibrational levels ν(2)' using laser-induced fluorescence. Thermal collision of argon, Ar(?)((3)P(0), (3)P(2)) metastable atoms in a microwave discharge-flow system with ammonia (NH(3)) molecules produced ground state NH(2)(X?(2)B(1)). The radiative lifetimes for the deactivation of NH(2)(A?(2)A(1)) were determined by measuring the decay profiles of NH(2)(A?(2)A(1)?→?X?(2)B(1)). In addition to the Fermi resonances with the ground state that lengthen the radiative lifetimes, a systematic increase in the radiative lifetimes with rotational quantum number was observed. Furthermore, the average radiative lifetimes of the (0, 9, 0) Γ, τ(1) = 18.65 ± 0.47 μs and (0, 8, 0) Φ, τ(2) = 23.72 ± 0.65 μs levels were much longer than those of the (0, 9, 0) Σ, τ(3) = 10.62 ± 0.47 μs, and (0, 8, 0) Π, τ(4) = 13.55 ± 0.55 μs states suggesting increased mixing of the first electronic excited and the ground states.     

Homology modelling of the human adenosine A2B receptor based on X-ray structures of bovine rhodopsin, the β2-adrenergic receptor and the human adenosine A2A receptor

A three-dimensional model of the human adenosine A_2B receptor was generated by means of homology modelling, using the crystal structures of bovine rhodopsin, the β₂-adrenergic receptor, and the human adenosine A_2A receptor as templates. In order to compare the three resulting models, the binding modes of the adenosine A_2B receptor antagonists theophylline, ZM241385, MRS1706, and PSB601 were investigated. The A_2A-based model was much better able to stabilize the ligands in the binding site than the other models reflecting the high degree of similarity between A_2A and A_2B receptors: while the A_2B receptor shares about 21% of the residues with rhodopsin, and 31% with the β₂-adrenergic receptor, it is 56% identical to the adenosine A_2A receptor. The A_2A-based model was used for further studies. The model included the transmembrane domains, the extracellular and the intracellular hydrophilic loops as well as the terminal domains. In order to validate the usefulness of this model, a docking analysis of several selective and nonselective agonists and antagonists was carried out including a study of binding affinities and selectivities of these ligands with respect to the adenosine A_2A and A_2B receptors. A common binding site is proposed for antagonists and agonists based on homology modelling combined with site-directed mutagenesis and a comparison between experimental and calculated affinity data. The new, validated A_2B receptor model may serve as a basis for developing more potent and selective drugs.     

Theoretical study of the energetics of the O3(X̃ 1A1) → O2(X 3Σ−g) + O(3P) dissociation process

The dissociation energy (D_e) for the O₃(X̃ ¹A₁) → O₂(X ³Σ⁻_g) + O(³P) process is computed using MC SCF, CI, MBPT, and CCD methods. A full-valence MC SCF calculation utilizing a [9s5p3d1f/5s3p2d1f] basis set yields a D_e value of 0.43 eV, far below the experimental value of 1.13 eV, demonstrating the importance of correlation effects involving non-valence orbitals. A CI calculation in the same basis set allowing for all single and double excitations from three-reference configuration yields a D_e value of 0.72 eV. This value is increased to 1.06 eV when the Davidson correction is included. When the number of reference configurations is increased to eight, the resulting CI calculation gives a D_e value of 0.82 eV prior to the Davidson correction and 1.10 eV after this correction.