Electron attachment to dye-sensitized solar cell components: cyanoacetic acid

The energies of electron attachment associated with temporary occupation of the lower-lying virtual orbitals of cyanoacetic acid (CAA), proposed as a possible component of dye-sensitized solar cells, and its derivative methyl cyanoacetate (MCA) are measured in the gas phase with electron transmission spectroscopy (ETS). The corresponding orbital energies of the neutral molecule, supplied by B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculations and scaled using an empirically calibrated linear equation, are compared with the experimental vertical attachment energies (VAEs). The vertical and adiabatic electron affinities are also evaluated at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d) level as the anion/neutral total energy difference. Dissociative electron attachment spectroscopy (DEAS) is used to measure the total anion current as a function of the incident electron energy in the 0-4 eV energy range, and the negative fragments generated through the dissociative decay channels of the molecular anion are detected with a mass filter. In both compounds only two intense fragment anion currents are observed, that due to loss of a hydrogen atom from the molecular anion ([M - H](-)) and that due to formation of CN(-). In CAA the former signal displays a very sharp feature at 0.68 eV, assigned to a vibrational Feshbach resonance arising from coupling between a dipole bound anion state and a temporary σ* anion state.     

The Relationship of the Energy of Interaction of Alkali Metal Cations with an Aprotic Solvent Molecule with Quantum Topological Electron Density Characteristics

The optimal geometry and wave functions of the complexes [M(Solv)]⁺ (M = Li, Na, K; Solv is an aprotic solvent molecule) were calculated and the topological characteristics of the electron density distribution at the (3,–1) critical points (CP) of ion–molecule bonds were analyzed by the density functional theory in the B3LYP/6-31+G(d, p) approximation. The parametric dependences for the energy of ion–molecule bonds in terms of the local kinetic and potential electron energy densities at the bond CTs were proposed.     

Temporary anion states and dissociative electron attachment in diphenyl disulfide

The temporary anion states of gas-phase diphenyl disulfide are characterized by means of electron transmission (ET) and dissociative electron attachment (DEA) spectroscopies. The measured energies of vertical electron attachment are compared to the virtual orbital energies of the neutral state molecule supplied by MP2 and B3LYP calculations with the 6-31G basis set. The calculated energies, scaled with empirical equations, reproduce satisfactorily the attachment energies measured in the ET spectrum. The first anion state of diphenyl disulfide is stable, thus escaping detection in ETS. The vertical and adiabatic electron affinities, evaluated with B3LYP/6-31+G calculations as the energy difference between the neutral and anion states, are predicted to be 0.37 and 1.38 eV, respectively. The anion current displayed in the DEA spectrum has a sharp and intense peak at zero energy, essentially due to the C6H5S- negative fragment. In agreement, according to the calculations, the localization properties of the first anion state are strongly S-S antibonding, and the energetic requirement for its dissociation along the S-S bond is fulfilled even at zero energy.     

Dissociative recombination of NH4+ and ND4+ ions: storage ring experiments and ab initio molecular dynamics

The dissociative recombination (DR) process of NH4+ and ND4+ molecular ions with free electrons has been studied at the heavy-ion storage ring CRYRING (Manne Siegbahn Laboratory, Stockholm University). The absolute cross sections for DR of NH4+ and ND4+ in the collision energy range 0.001-1 eV are reported, and thermal rate coefficients for the temperature interval from 10 to 2000 K are calculated from the experimental data. The absolute cross section for NH4+ agrees well with earlier work and is about a factor of 2 larger than the cross section for ND4+. The dissociative recombination of NH4+ is dominated by the product channels NH3+H (0.85+/-0.04) and NH2+2H (0.13+/-0.01), while the DR of ND4+ mainly results in ND3+D (0.94+/-0.03). Ab initio direct dynamics simulations, based on the assumption that the dissociation dynamics is governed by the neutral ground-state potential energy surface, suggest that the primary product formed in the DR process is NH3+H. The ejection of the H atom is direct and leaves the NH3 molecule highly vibrationally excited. A fraction of the excited ammonia molecules may subsequently undergo secondary fragmentation forming NH2+H. It is concluded that the model results are consistent with gross features of the experimental results, including the sensitivity of the branching ratio for the three-body channel NH2+2H to isotopic exchange.     

Hydrophobic and ionic interactions in nanosized water droplets

A number of situations such as protein folding in confined spaces, lubrication in tight spaces, and chemical reactions in confined spaces require an understanding of water-mediated interactions. As an illustration of the profound effects of confinement on hydrophobic and ionic interactions, we investigate the solvation of methane and methane decorated with charges in spherically confined water droplets. Free energy profiles for a single methane molecule in droplets, ranging in diameter (D) from 1 to 4 nm, show that the droplet surfaces are strongly favorable as compared to the interior. From the temperature dependence of the free energy in D = 3 nm, we show that this effect is entropically driven. The potentials of mean force (PMFs) between two methane molecules show that the solvent separated minimum in the bulk is completely absent in confined water, independent of the droplet size since the solute particles are primarily associated with the droplet surface. The tendency of methanes with charges (M(q+) and M(q-) with q(+) = |q(-)| = 0.4e, where e is the electronic charge) to be pinned at the surface depends dramatically on the size of the water droplet. When D = 4 nm, the ions prefer the interior whereas for D < 4 nm the ions are localized at the surface, but with much less tendency than for methanes. Increasing the ion charge to e makes the surface strongly unfavorable. Reflecting the charge asymmetry of the water molecule, negative ions have a stronger preference for the surface compared to positive ions of the same charge magnitude. With increasing droplet size, the PMFs between M(q+) and M(q-) show decreasing influence of the boundary owing to the reduced tendency for surface solvation. We also show that as the solute charge density decreases the surface becomes less unfavorable. The implications of our results for the folding of proteins in confined spaces are outlined.     

Investigating the breakup dynamics of dihydrogen sulfide ions recombining with electrons

This paper presents results concerning measurements of the dissociative recombination (DR) of dihydrogen sulfide ions. In combination with the ion storage ring CRYRING an imaging technique was used to investigate the breakup dynamics of the three-body channel in the DR of 32SD2(+). The two energetically available product channels S(3P) + 2D(2S) and S(1D) + 2D(2S) were both populated, with a branching fraction of the ground-state channel of 0.6(0.1). Information about the angle between the two deuterium atoms upon dissociation was obtained together with information about how the available kinetic energy was distributed between the two light fragments. The recombination cross sections as functions of energy in the interval of 1 meV to 0.3 eV in the center-of-mass frame are presented for 34SH2(+). The thermal rate coefficient for the DR of 34SH2(+) was determined to be (4.8+/-1.0) x 10(-7)(T/300)(-0.72+/-0.1) cm3 s(-1) over this interval.     

Direct evidence for nonadiabatic dynamics in atom+polyatom reactions: crossed-jet laser studies of F+D2O-->DF+OD

Quantum-state-resolved reactive-scattering dynamics of F+D(2)O-->DF+OD have been studied at E(c.m.)=5(1) kcal/mol in low-density crossed supersonic jets, exploiting pulsed discharge sources of F atom and laser-induced fluorescence to detect the nascent OD product under single-collision conditions. The product OD is formed exclusively in the v(OD)=0 state with only modest rotational excitation ( =0.50(1) kcal/mol), consistent with the relatively weak coupling of the 18.1(1) kcal/mol reaction exothermicity into "spectator" bond degrees of freedom. The majority of OD products [68(1)%] are found in the ground ((2)Pi(32) (+/-)) spin-orbit state, which adiabatically correlates with reaction over the lowest and only energetically accessible barrier (DeltaE( not equal) approximately 4 kcal/mol). However, 32(1)% of molecules are produced in the excited spin-orbit state ((2)Pi(12) (+/-)), although from a purely adiabatic perspective, this requires passage over a DeltaE( not equal) approximately 25 kcal/mol barrier energetically inaccessible at these collision energies. This provides unambiguous evidence for nonadiabatic surface hopping in F+D(2)O atom abstraction reactions, indicating that reactive-scattering dynamics even in simple atom+polyatom systems is not always isolated on the ground electronic surface. Additionally, the nascent OD rotational states are well fitted by a two-temperature Boltzmann distribution, suggesting correlated branching of the reaction products into the DF(v=2,3) vibrational manifold.     

Density functional steric analysis of linear and branched alkanes

Branched alkane hydrocarbons are thermodynamically more stable than straight-chain linear alkanes. This thermodynamic stability is also manifest in alkane bond separation energies. To understand the physical differences between branched and linear alkanes, we have utilized a novel density functional theory (DFT) definition of steric energy based on the Weiz?cker kinetic energy. Using the M06-2X functional, the total DFT energy was partitioned into a steric energy term (E(s)[ρ]), an electrostatic energy term (E(e)[ρ]), and a fermionic quantum energy term (E(q)[ρ]). This analysis revealed that branched alkanes have less (destabilizing) DFT steric energy than linear alkanes. The lower steric energy of branched alkanes is mitigated by an equal and opposite quantum energy term that contains the Pauli component of the kinetic energy and exchange-correlation energy. Because the steric and quantum energy terms cancel, this leaves the electrostatic energy term that favors alkane branching. Electrostatic effects, combined with correlation energy, explains why branched alkanes are more stable than linear alkanes.     

Theoretical study of the spectroscopically relevant parameters for the detection of HNP(q) and HPN(q) (q = 0, +1, -1) in the gas phase

High level ab initio electronic structure calculations at different levels of theory have been performed on HNP and HPN neutrals, anions, and cations. This includes standard coupled cluster CCSD(T) level with augmented correlation-consistent basis sets, internally contacted multi-reference configuration interaction, and the newly developed CCSD(T)-F12 methods in connection with the explicitly correlated basis sets. Core-valence correction and scalar relativistic effects were examined. We present optimized equilibrium geometries, harmonic vibrational frequencies, rotational constants, adiabatic ionization energies, electron affinities, vertical detachment energies, and relative energies. In addition, the three-dimensional potential energy surfaces of HNP(-1,0,+1) and of HPN(-1,0,+1) were generated at the (R)CCSD(T)-F12b∕cc-pVTZ-F12 level. The anharmonic terms and fundamentals were derived using second order perturbation theory. For HNP, our best estimate for the adiabatic ionization energy is 7.31 eV, for the adiabatic electron affinity is 0.47 eV. The higher energy isomer, HPN, is 23.23 kcal∕mol above HNP. HPN possesses a rather large adiabatic electron affinity of 1.62 eV. The intramolecular isomerization pathways were computed. Our calculations show that HNP(-) to HPN(-) reaction is subject to electron detachment.     

Dissociative recombination of water cluster ions with free electrons: cross sections and branching ratios

Dissociative recombination (DR) of water cluster ions H(+)(H(2)O)(n) (n=4-6) with free electrons has been studied at the heavy-ion storage ring CRYRING (Manne Siegbahn Laboratory, Stockholm University). For the first time, branching ratios have been determined for the dominating product channels and absolute DR cross sections have been measured in the energy range from 0.001 to 0.7 eV. Dissociative recombination is concluded to result in extensive fragmentation for all three cluster ions, and a maximum number of heavy oxygen-containing fragments is produced with a probability close to unity. The branching ratio results agree with earlier DR studies of smaller water cluster ions where the channel nH(2)O+H has been observed to dominate and where energy transfer to internal degrees of freedom has been concluded to be highly efficient. The absolute DR cross sections for H(+)(H(2)O)(n) (n=4-6) decrease monotonically with increasing energy with an energy dependence close to E(-1) in the lower part of the energy range and a faster falloff at higher energies, in agreement with the behavior of other studied heavy ions. The cross section data have been used to calculate DR rate coefficients in the temperature range of 10-2000 K. The results from storage ring experiments with water cluster ions are concluded to partly confirm the earlier results from afterglow experiments. The DR rate coefficients for H(+)(H(2)O)(n) (n=1-6) are in general somewhat lower than reported from afterglow experiments. The rate coefficient tends to increase with increasing cluster size, but not in the monotonic way that has been reported from afterglow experiments. The needs for further experimental studies and for theoretical models that can be used to predict the DR rate of polyatomic ions are discussed.     

Three-state trajectory surface hopping studies of the photodissociation dynamics of formaldehyde on ab initio potential energy surfaces

Full-dimensional, three-state, surface hopping calculations of the photodissociation dynamics of formaldehyde are reported on ab initio potential energy surfaces (PESs) for electronic states S(1), T(1), and S(0). This is the first such study initiated on S(1) with ab initio-calculated spin-orbit couplings among the three states. We employ previous PESs for S(0) and T(1), and a new PES for S(1), which we describe here, as well as new spin-orbit couplings. The time-dependent electronic state populations and the branching ratio of radical products produced from S(0) and T(1) states and that of total radical products and molecular products at three total energies are calculated. Details of the surface hopping dynamics are described, and a novel pathway for isomerization on T(1) via S(0) is reported. Final translational energy distributions of H + HCO products from S(0) and T(1) are also reported as well as the translational energy distribution and final rovibrational distributions of H(2) products from the molecular channel. The present results are compared to previous trajectory calculations initiated from the global minimum of S(0). The roaming pathway leading to low rotational distribution of CO and high vibrational population of H(2) is observed in the present calculations.     

Born-Haber-Fajans cycle generalized: linear energy relation between molecules, crystals, and metals

Classical procedures to calculate ion-based lattice potential energies (U(POT)) assume formal integral charges on the structural units; consequently, poor results are anticipated when significant covalency is present. To generalize the procedures beyond strictly ionic solids, a method is needed for calculating (i) physically reasonable partial charges, delta, and (ii) well-defined and consistent asymptotic reference energies corresponding to the separated structural components. The problem is here treated for groups 1 and 11 monohalides and monohydrides, and for the alkali metal elements (with their metallic bonds), by using the valence-state atoms-in-molecules (VSAM) model of von Szentpály et al. (J. Phys. Chem. A 2001, 105, 9467). In this model, the Born-Haber-Fajans reference energy, U(POT), of free ions, M(+) and Y(-), is replaced by the energy of charged dissociation products, M(delta)(+) and Y(delta)(-), of equalized electronegativity. The partial atomic charge is obtained via the iso-electronegativity principle, and the asymptotic energy reference of separated free ions is lowered by the "ion demotion energy", IDE = -(1)/(2)(1 - delta(VS))(I(VS,M) - A(VS,Y)), where delta(VS) is the valence-state partial charge and (I(VS,M) - A(VS,Y)) is the difference between the valence-state ionization potential and electron affinity of the M and Y atoms producing the charged species. A very close linear relation (R = 0.994) is found between the molecular valence-state dissociation energy, D(VS), of the VSAM model, and our valence-state-based lattice potential energy, U(VS) = U(POT) - (1)/(2)(1 - delta(VS))(I(VS,M) - A(VS,Y)) = 1.230D(VS) + 86.4 kJ mol(-)(1). Predictions are given for the lattice energy of AuF, the coinage metal monohydrides, and the molecular dissociation energy, D(e), of AuI. The coinage metals (Cu, Ag, and Au) do not fit into this linear regression because d orbitals are strongly involved in their metallic bonding, while s orbitals dominate their homonuclear molecular bonding.     

The Kohn-Sham density of states and band gap of water: from small clusters to liquid water

Electronic properties of water clusters (H2O)(n), with n=2, 4, 8, 10, 15, 20, and 30 molecules were investigated by sequential Monte Carlo/density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. DFT calculations were carried out over uncorrelated configurations generated by Monte Carlo simulations of liquid water with a reparametrized exchange-correlation functional that reproduces the experimental information on the electronic properties (first ionization energy and highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gap) of the water dimer. The dependence of electronic properties on the cluster size (n) shows that the density of states (DOS) of small water clusters (n>10) exhibits the same basic features that are typical of larger aggregates, such as the mixing of the 3a1 and 1b1 valence bands. When long-ranged polarization effects are taken into account by the introduction of embedding charges, the DOS associated with 3a1 orbitals is significantly enhanced. In agreement with valence-band photoelectron spectra of liquid water, the 1b1, 3a1, and 1b2 electron binding energies in water aggregates are redshifted by approximately 1 eV relative to the isolated molecule. By extrapolating the results for larger clusters the threshold energy for photoelectron emission is 9.6+/-0.15 eV (free clusters) and 10.58+/-0.10 eV (embedded clusters). Our results for the electron affinity (V0=-0.17+/-0.05 eV) and adiabatic band gap (E(G,Ad)=6.83+/-0.05 eV) of liquid water are in excellent agreement with recent information from theoretical and experimental works.     

Progress in the understanding of drug-receptor interactions, part 2: experimental and theoretical electrostatic moments and interaction energies of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (C30H30N6(O)3S)

A combined experimental and theoretical charge density study of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist (1) is presented focusing on electrostatic properties such as atomic charges, molecular electric moments up to the fourth rank and energies of the intermolecular interactions, to gain an insight into the physical nature of the drug-receptor interaction. Electrostatic properties were derived from both the experimental electron density (multipole refinement of X-ray data collected at T=17 K) and the ab initio wavefunction (single molecule and fully periodic calculations at the DFT level). The relevance of SO and SN intramolecular interactions on the activity of 1 is highlighted by using both the crystal and gas-phase geometries and their electrostatic nature is documented by means of QTAIM atomic charges. The derived electrostatic properties are consistent with a nearly spherical electron density distribution, characterised by an intermingling of electropositive and -negative zones rather than by a unique electrophilic region opposed to a nucleophilic area. This makes the first molecular moment scarcely significant and ill-determined, whereas the second moment is large, significant and highly reliable. A comparison between experimental and theoretical components of the third electric moment shows a few discrepancies, whereas the agreement for the fourth electric moment is excellent. The most favourable intermolecular bond is show to be an NHN hydrogen bond with an energy of about 50 kJ mol(-1). Key pharmacophoric features responsible for attractive electrostatic interactions include CHX hydrogen bonds. It is shown that methyl and methylene groups, known to be essential for the biological activity of the drug, provide a significant energetic contribution to the total binding energy. Dispersive interactions are important at the thiophene and at both the phenyl fragments. The experimental estimates of the electrostatic contribution to the intermolecular interaction energies of six molecular pairs, obtained by a new model proposed by Spackman, predict the correct relative electrostatic energies with no exceptions.     

High-resolution kinetic energy release distributions and dissociation energies for fullerene ions Cn+, 42 < or = n < or = 90

We have measured the kinetic energy released in the unimolecular dissociation of fullerene ions, Cn+ --> C(n-2)+ + C2, for sizes 42 < or = n < or = 90. A three-sector-field mass spectrometer equipped with two electric sectors has been used in order to ensure that contributions from isotopomers of different masses do not distort the experimental kinetic energy release distributions. We apply the concept of microcanonical temperature to derive from these data the dissociation energies of fullerene cations. They are converted to dissociation energies of neutral fullerenes with help of published adiabatic ionization energies. The results are compared with literature values.     

Finite-size scaling for critical conditions for stable quadrupole-bound anions

We present finite-size scaling calculations of the critical parameters for binding an electron to a finite linear quadrupole field. This approach gives very accurate results for the critical parameters by using a systematic expansion in a finite basis set. The model Hamiltonian consists of a charge Q located at the origin of the coordinates and k charges -Q/k located at distances R(i), i=1, em leader,k. After proper scaling of distances and energies, the rescaled Hamiltonian depends only on one free parameter q=QR. Two different linear charge configurations with q>0 and q<0 are studied using basis sets in both spherical and prolate spheroidal coordinates. For the case with q>0, the finite size scaling calculations give an extrapolated critical value of q(c)=1.469 70+/-0.000 05 a.u. by using a basis set with prolate spheroidal coordinates. For the quadrupole case with q<0, we obtained an extrapolated critical value of mid R:q(c)mid R:=3.982 51+/-0.000 01 a.u. for stable quadrupole bound anions. The corresponding critical exponent for the ground state energy alpha=1.9964+/-0.0005, with E approximately (q-q(c))(alpha).     

Trajectory surface hopping study of the O(3P) + ethylene reaction dynamics

Spin-orbit coupling (SOC) induced intersystem crossing (ISC) has long been believed to play a crucial role in determining the product distributions in the O(3P) + C2H4 reaction. In this paper, we present the first nonadiabatic dynamics study of the title reaction at two center-of-mass collision energies: 0.56 eV, which is barely above the H-atom abstraction barrier on the triplet surface, and 3.0 eV, which is in the hyperthermal regime. The calculations were performed using a quasiclassical trajectory surface hopping (TSH) method with the potential energy surface generated on the fly at the unrestricted B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory. To simplify our calculations, nonadiabatic transitions were only considered when the singlet surface intersects the triplet surface. At the crossing points, Landau-Zener transition probabilities were computed assuming a fixed spin-orbit coupling parameter, which was taken to be 70 cm-1 in most calculations. Comparison with a recent crossed molecular beam experiment at 0.56 eV collision energy shows qualitative agreement as to the primary product branching ratios, with the CH3 + CHO and H + CH2CHO channels accounting for over 70% of total product formation. However, our direct dynamics TSH calculations overestimate ISC so that the total triplet/singlet ratio is 25:75, compared to the observed 43:57. Smaller values of SOC reduce ISC, resulting in better agreement with the experimental product relative yields; we demonstrate that these smaller SOC values are close to being consistent with estimates based on CASSCF calculations. As the collision energy increases, ISC becomes much less important and at 3.0 eV, the triplet to singlet branching ratio is 71:29. As a result, the triplet products CH2 + CH2O, H + CH2CHO and OH + C2H3 dominate over the singlet products CH3 + CHO, H2 + CH2CO, etc.     

Stability and spectroscopic properties of singly and doubly charged anions

Using density functional theory and hybrid B3LYP exchange-correlation energy functional we have studied the structure, stability, and spectroscopic properties of singly and doubly charged anions composed of simple metal atoms (Na, Mg, Al) decorated with halogens such as Cl and pseudohalogens such as CN. Since pseudohalogens mimic the chemistry of halogen atoms, our objective is to see if pseudohalogens can also form superhalogens much as halogens do and if the critical size for a doubly charged anion depends upon the ligand. The electron affinities of MCl(n) (M = Na, Mg, Al) exceed the value of Cl for n ≥ (k + 1), where k is the normal valence of the metal atom. However, for M(CN)(n) complexes this is only true when n = k + 1. In addition, while the electron affinities and vertical detachment energies of MCl(n) complexes are close to each other, they are markedly different when Cl is replaced by pseudohalogen, CN. The origin of these anomalous results is found to be due to the large binding energy of cyanogen, (NCCN) molecule. Because of the tendency of CN molecules to dimerize, the ground state geometries of the neutral and anionic M(CN)(n) complexes are very different when their number exceed the normal valence of the metal atom. While our calculations support the conclusion of Skurski and co-workers that pseudohalogens can form the building blocks of superhalogens, we show that there is a limitation on the number of CN moieties where this is true. Equally important, we find large differences between the ground state geometries of the neutral and anionic M(CN)(n) complexes for n ≥ (k + 2) which could play an important role in interpreting future experimental data on M(CN)(n) complexes. This is because the electron affinity defined as the energy difference between the ground states of the anion and neutral can be very different from the adiabatic detachment energy defined as the energy difference between the ground state of the anion and its structurally similar neutral isomer.     

Probing the electronic structure of UO+ with high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy

The pulsed field ionization-zero kinetic energy photoelectron technique has been used to observe the low-lying energy levels of UO+. Rotationally resolved spectra were recorded for the ground state and the first nine electronically excited states. Extensive vibrational progressions were characterized. Omega+ assignments were unambiguously determined from the first rotational lines identified in each vibronic band. Term energies, vibrational frequencies, and anharmonicity constants for low-lying energy levels of UO+ are reported. In addition, accurate values for the ionization energies for UO [48,643.8(2) cm(-1)] and U [49,957.6(2) cm(-1)] were determined. The pattern of low-lying electronic states for UO+ indicates that they originate from the U3+(5f3)O2- configuration, where the uranium ion-centered interactions between the 5f electrons are significantly stronger than interactions with the intramolecular electric field. The latter lifts the degeneracy of U3+ ion-core states, but the atomic angular momentum quantum numbers remain reasonably well defined.     

Investigation of energy deposited by femtosecond electron transfer in collisions using hydrated ion nanocalorimetry

Ion nanocalorimetry is used to investigate the internal energy deposited into M (2+)(H 2O) n , M = Mg ( n = 3-11) and Ca ( n = 3-33), upon 100 keV collisions with a Cs or Ne atom target gas. Dissociation occurs by loss of water molecules from the precursor (charge retention) or by capture of an electron to form a reduced precursor (charge reduction) that can dissociate either by loss of a H atom accompanied by water molecule loss or by exclusively loss of water molecules. Formation of bare CaOH (+) and Ca (+) by these two respective dissociation pathways occurs for clusters with n up to 33 and 17, respectively. From the threshold dissociation energies for the loss of water molecules from the reduced clusters, obtained from binding energies calculated using a discrete implementation of the Thomson liquid drop model and from quantum chemistry, estimates of the internal energy deposition can be obtained. These values can be used to establish a lower limit to the maximum and average energy deposition. Not taking into account effects of a kinetic shift, over 16 eV can be deposited into Ca (2+)(H 2O) 33, the minimum energy necessary to form bare CaOH (+) from the reduced precursor. The electron capture efficiency is at least a factor of 40 greater for collisions of Ca (2+)(H 2O) 9 with Cs than with Ne, reflecting the lower ionization energy of Cs (3.9 eV) compared to Ne (21.6 eV). The branching ratio of the two electron capture dissociation pathways differs significantly for these two target gases, but the distributions of water molecules lost from the reduced precursors are similar. These results suggest that the ionization energy of the target gas has a large effect on the electron capture efficiency, but relatively little effect on the internal energy deposited into the ion. However, the different branching ratios suggest that different electronic excited states may be accessed in the reduced precursor upon collisions with these two different target gases.