1 Pi<--X1 Sigma+ band systems of jet-cooled ScCo and YCo

Rotationally resolved resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI) spectra of ScCo and YCo are reported. The measured spectra reveal that these molecules possess ground electronic states of (1)Sigma(+) symmetry, as previously found in the isoelectronic Cr(2) and CrMo molecules. The ground state rotational constants for ScCo and YCo are B(0)(")=0.201 31(22) cm(-1) and B(0) (")=0.120 96(10) cm(-1), corresponding to ground state bond lengths of r(0) (")=1.812 1(10) A and r(0) (")=1.983 0(8) A, respectively. A single electronic band system, assigned as a (1)Pi<--X (1)Sigma(+) transition, has been identified in both molecules. In ScCo, the (1)Pi state is characterized by T(0)=15,428.8, omega(e)(')=246.7, and omega(e)(')x(e)(')=0.73 cm(-1). In YCo, the (1)Pi state has T(0)=13 951.3, omega(e)(')=231.3, and omega(e)(')x(e) (')=2.27 cm(-1). For YCo, hot bands originating from levels up to v(")=3 are observed, allowing the ground state vibrational constants omega(e)(")=369.8, omega(e)(")x(e)(")=1.47, and Delta G(12)(")=365.7 cm(-1) to be deduced. The bond energy of ScCo has been measured as 2.45 eV from the onset of predissociation in a congested vibronic spectrum. A comparison of the chemical bonding in these molecules to related molecules is presented.     

Resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy of jet-cooled OsC

The optical spectrum of diatomic OsC has been investigated for the first time, with transitions recorded in the range from 17 390 to 22 990 cm(-1). Six bands were rotationally resolved and analyzed to obtain ground and excited state rotational constants and bond lengths. Spectra for six OsC isotopomers, 192 Os 12C (40.3% natural abundance), 190 Os 12C(26.0%), 189 Os 12C(16.0%), 188 Os 12C(13.1%), 187 Os 12C(1.9%), and 186 Os 12C(1.6%), were recorded and rotationally analyzed. The ground state was found to be X 3 Delta 3, deriving from the 4 delta 3 16 sigma 1 electronic configuration. Four bands were found to originate from the X 3 Delta 3 ground state, giving B 0"=0.533 492(33) cm(-1) and r 0 "=1.672 67(5) A for the 192 Os 12C isotopomer (1 sigma error limits); two of these, the 0-0[19.1]2<--X 3 Delta 3 and 1-0[19.1]2<--X 3 Delta 3 bands, form a vibrational progression with Delta G' 1/2=953.019 cm(-1). The remaining two bands were identified as originating from an Omega"=0 level that remains populated in the supersonic expansion. This level is assigned as the low-lying A 3 Sigma 0+ (-) state, which derives from the 4 delta 2 16 sigma 2 electronic configuration. The OsC molecule differs from the isovalent RuC molecule in having an X 3 Delta 3 ground state, rather than the X 2 delta 4, 1 Sigma+ ground state found in RuC. This difference in electronic structure is due to the relativistic stabilization of the 6s orbital in Os, an effect which favors occupation of the 6s-like 16 sigma orbital. The relativistic stabilization of the 16 sigma orbital also lowers the energy of the 4 delta 2 16 sigma 2, 3 Sigma(-) term, allowing this term to remain populated in the supersonically cooled molecular beam.     

Time-resolved study of excited states of N2 near its first ionization threshold

Two-photon, two-color double-resonance ionization spectroscopy combining synchrotron vacuum ultraviolet radiation with a tunable near-infrared (NIR) laser has been used to investigate gerade symmetry states of the nitrogen molecule. The rotationally resolved spectrum of an autoionizing (1)Σ(g)(-) state has been excited via the intermediate c(4) (v = 0) (1)Π(u) Rydberg state. We present the analysis of the band located at T(v) = 10,800.7 ± 2 cm(-1) with respect to the intermediate state, 126,366 ± 11 cm(-1) with respect to the ground state, approximately 700 cm(-1) above the first ionization threshold. From the analysis a rotational constant of B(v) = 1.700 ± 0.005 cm(-1) has been determined for this band. Making use of the pulsed structure of the two radiation beams, lifetimes of several rotational levels of the intermediate state have been measured. We also report rotationally-averaged fluorescence lifetimes (300 K) of several excited electronic states accessible from the ground state by absorption of one photon in the range of 13.85-14.9 eV. The averaged lifetimes of the c(4) (0) and c(5) (0) states are 5.6 and 4.4 ns, respectively, while the b(') (12), c(')(4) (4, 5, 6), and c(')(5) (0) states all have lifetimes in the range of hundreds of picoseconds.     

Ground state potential energy curve and dissociation energy of MgH

New high-resolution visible emission spectra of the MgH molecule have been recorded with high signal-to-noise ratios using a Fourier transform spectrometer. Many bands of the A 2Pi-->X 2Sigma+ and B' 2Sigma+-->X 2Sigma+ electronic transitions of 24MgH were analyzed; the new data span the v' = 0-3 levels of the A 2Pi and B'2Sigma+ excited states and the v'=0-11 levels of the X 2Sigma+ ground electronic state. The vibration-rotation energy levels of the perturbed A 2Pi and B' 2Sigma+ states were fitted as individual term values, while those of the X 2Sigma+ ground state were fitted using the direct-potential-fit approach. A new analytic potential energy function that imposes the theoretically correct attractive potential at long-range, and a radial Hamiltonian that includes the spin-rotation interaction were employed, and a significantly improved value for the ground state dissociation energy of MgH was obtained. The v'=11 level of the X 2Sigma+ ground electronic state was found to be the highest bound vibrational level of 24MgH, lying only about 13 cm(-1) below the dissociation asymptote. The equilibrium dissociation energy for the X 2Sigma+ ground state of 24MgH has been determined to be De=11104.7+/-0.5 cm(-1) (1.37681+/-0.00006 eV), whereas the zero-point energy (v'=0) is 739.11+/-0.01 cm(-1). The zero-point dissociation energy is therefore D0=10365.6+/-0.5 cm(-1) (1.28517+/-0.00006 eV). The uncertainty in the new experimental dissociation energy of MgH is more than 2 orders of magnitude smaller than that for the best value available in the literature. MgH is now the only hydride molecule other than H2 itself for which all bound vibrational levels of the ground electronic state are observed experimentally and for which the dissociation energy is determined with subwavenumber accuracy.     

Experimental and theoretical study of the electronic spectrum of BeAl

The electronic structure of BeAl was investigated by laser induced fluorescence and resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy. BeAl was formed by pulsed laser ablation of a Be/Al alloy in the presence of helium carrier gas, followed by a free jet expansion into vacuum. In agreement with recent ab initio studies, the molecule was found to have a (2)Pi(1/2) ground state. Transitions to two low lying electronic states, (2)(2)Pi(1/2)(v') <-- X (2)Pi(1/2) (v' = 0) and (1)(2)Delta(v') <-- X (2)Pi(1/2) (v' = 0,1), were observed and rotationally analyzed. An additional band system, identified as (4)(2)Sigma(+)(v') <-- X (2)Pi(1/2), was found in the 28 000-30 100 cm(-1) energy range. This transition exhibited an unusual pattern of vibrational levels resulting from an avoided crossing with the (5)(2)Sigma(+) electronic state. New multi-reference configuration interaction calculations were carried out to facilitate the interpretation of the UV bands.An ionization energy of 48 124(80) cm(-1) was determined for BeAl from photoionization efficiency (PIE) measurements. Fine structure in the PIE curve was attributed to resonances with Rydberg series correlating with vibrationally excited states of the BeAl(+) ion. Analysis of this structure yielded a vibrational frequency of 240(20) cm(-1) for the cation.     

Absolute cross sections for electronic excitations of cytosine by low energy electron impact

The absolute cross sections (CSs) for electronic excitations of cytosine by electron impact between 5 and 18 eV were measured by electron-energy-loss (EEL) spectroscopy of the molecule deposited at low coverage on an inert Ar substrate. The lowest EEL features found at 3.55 and 4.02 eV are ascribed to transitions from the ground state to the two lowest triplet 1?(3)A(')(π→π(?)) and 2?(3)A(')(π→π(?)) valence states of the molecule. Their energy dependent CSs exhibit essentially a common maximum at about 6 eV with a value of 1.84×10(-17)?cm(2) for the former and 4.94×10(-17)?cm(2) for the latter. In contrast, the CS for the next EEL feature at 4.65 eV, which is ascribed to the optically allowed transition to the 2?(1)A(')(π→π(?)) valence state, shows only a steep rise to about 1.04×10(-16)?cm(2) followed by a monotonous decrease with the incident electron energy. The higher EEL features at 5.39, 6.18, 6.83, and 7.55 eV are assigned to the excitations of the 3?(3,1)A(')(π→π(?)), 4?(1)A(')(π→π(?)), 5?(1)A(')(π→π(?)), and 6?(1)A(')(π→π(?)) valence states, respectively. The CSs for the 3?(3,1)A(') and 4?(1)A(') states exhibit a common enhancement at about 10 eV superimposed on a more or less a steep rise, reaching, respectively, a maximum of 1.27 and 1.79×10(-16)?cm(2), followed by a monotonous decrease. This latter enhancement and the maximum seen at about 6 eV in the lowest triplet states correspond to the core-excited electron resonances that have been found by dissociative electron attachment experiments with cytosine in the gas phase. The weak EEL feature found at 5.01 eV with a maximum CS of 3.8×10(-18)?cm(2) near its excitation threshold is attributed to transitions from the ground state to the 1?(3,1)A(")(n→π(?)) states. The monotonous rise of the EEL signal above 8 eV is attributed to the ionization of the molecule. It is partitioned into four excitation energy regions at about 8.55, 9.21, 9.83, and 11.53 eV, which correspond closely to the ionization energies of the four highest occupied molecular orbitals of cytosine. The sum of the ionization CS for these four excitation regions reaches a maximum of 8.1×10(-16)?cm(2) at the incident energy of 13 eV.     

Spectroscopic investigations of ThF and ThF+

The electronic spectra of ThF and ThF(+) have been examined using laser induced fluorescence and resonant two-photon ionization techniques. The results from high-level ab initio calculations have been used to guide the assignment of these data. Spectra for ThF show that the molecule has an X (2)Δ(3/2) ground state. The upper spin-orbit component, X (2)Δ(5/2) was found at an energy of 2575(15) cm(-1). The low-lying states of ThF(+) were probed using dispersed fluorescence and pulsed field ionization-zero kinetic energy (PFI-ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy. Vibronic progressions belonging to four electronic states were identified. The lowest energy states were clearly (1)Σ(+) and (3)Δ(1). Although the energy ordering could not be rigorously determined, the evidence favors assignment of (1)Σ(+) as the ground state. The (3)Δ(1) state, of interest for investigation of the electron electric dipole moment, is just 315.0(5) cm(-1) above the ground state. The PFI-ZEKE measurements for ThF yielded an ionization energy of 51 581(3) cm(-1). Molecular constants show that the vibrational constant increases and the bond length shortens on ionization. This is consistent with removal of a non-bonding Th-centered 6d or 7s electron. Laser excitation of ThF(+) was used to probe electronically excited states in the range of 19,000-21,500 cm(-1).     

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.     

Iron monoxide photodissociation

The photodissociation of (56)FeO was studied by means of the velocity map imaging technique. A molecular beam of iron atoms and iron monoxide molecules was created using an electrical discharge with an iron electrode in a supersonic expansion of molecular oxygen. The ground state iron atom Fe((5)D(4)) and FeO concentrations in the molecular beam have been estimated. The dissociation energy of the FeO X (5)Delta ground electronic state was found to be D(0) (0)(FeO)=4.18+/-0.01 eV. The effective absorption cross section of FeO at 252.39 nm (vac), leading to the Fe((5)D(4))+O((3)P) dissociation channel, is approximately 1.2 x 10(-18) cm(2). A (1+1) resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionization spectrum of (56)FeO in the region 39 550-39 580 cm(-1) with rotational structure has been observed, but not assigned. Angular distributions of Fe((5)D(4)) and Fe((5)D(3)) products for the channel FeO-->Fe((5)D(4,3))+O((3)P) have been measured at several points in the 210-260 nm laser light wavelength region. The anisotropy parameter varies strongly with wavelength for both channels.     

Characterizing the deformational isomers of bimetallic Ir2(dimen)4(2+) (dimen = 1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane) with vibrational wavepacket dynamics

We studied the Ir(2)(dimen)(4)(2+) complex with ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy and density functional theory and concluded that it possesses two singlet ground state isomers in room temperature solution. The molecule can adopt either a paddle wheel or a propeller conformation in solution, where the paddle wheel structure possesses a metal-metal bond of 4.4 ? and a dihedral angle between the quasi-C(4v) planes of 0° and the propeller structure has a metal-metal bond of 3.6 ? and a dihedral angle of 17° when crystallized. Each conformation has a distinct absorption in the visible attributed to a (1)(dσ(z)* → pσ(z)) excitation, with the long eclipsed structure absorbing at 475 nm and the short twisted structure absorbing at 585 nm. We independently pumped at each of these visible transitions to form vibrational wavepackets on the ground and excited state potential energy surfaces, which modulated the ground state bleach and stimulated emission signals, respectively. We found that the ground state wavepacket oscillates with a frequency of 48 cm(-1) when pumping the red peak and 11 cm(-1) when pumping the blue peak. We assign these frequencies to the Ir-Ir symmetric stretch, with the variation in frequency reflecting the variation in metal-metal bond strength in support of our assignment of the blue peak to the longer Ir-Ir bond length conformer and the red peak to the shorter Ir-Ir bond length conformer. When pumping the red peak, we found two modes with frequencies of 80 and 119 cm(-1) in the stimulated emission and only one mode at 75 cm(-1) when pumping the blue peak. We assign the 75-80 cm(-1) frequency to the Ir-Ir stretch and the 119 cm(-1) vibration to the dihedral angle twist in the excited state. The variation in the excited state dynamics does not result from the excitation of different electronic states, but rather from excitation to different Franck-Condon regions of the same electronic excited state potential energy surface. This occurs because of the large difference in ground state molecular structure. DFT calculations support the existence of a single electronic excited state being accessed from two distinct structural isomers with conformations similar to those observed with X-ray crystallography.     

Electronic structure and nature of the ground state of the mixed-valence binuclear tetra(mu-1,8-naphthyridine-N,N')-bis(halogenonickel) tetraphenylborate complexes: experimental and DFT characterization

The ground state electronic structure of the mixed-valence systems [Ni(2)(napy)(4)X(2)](BPh(4)) (napy=1,8-naphthyridine; X=Cl, Br, I) was studied with combined experimental (X-ray diffraction, temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility, and high-field EPR spectroscopy) and theoretical (DFT) methods. The zero-field splitting (zfs) ground S=3/2 spin state is axial with /D/ approximately 3 cm(-1). The iodide derivative was found to be isostructural with the previously reported bromide complex, but not isomorphous. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2(1)/n, with a=17.240(5), b=26.200(5), c=11.340(5) A, beta=101.320(5) degrees. DFT calculations were performed on the S=3/2 state to characterize the ground state potential energy surface as a function of the nuclear displacements. The molecules can thus be classified as Class III mixed-valence compounds with a computed delocalization parameter, B=3716, 3583, and 3261 cm(-1) for the Cl, Br, and I derivatives, respectively.     

Insights on the CN B 2Σ+ + Ar potential from ultraviolet fluorescence excitation and infrared depletion studies of the CN-Ar complex

UV laser-induced fluorescence and IR-UV fluorescence depletion studies have been used to characterize the intermolecular levels of the CN-Ar complex in the excited state correlating with CN B (2)Σ(+) + Ar. Additional CN-Ar features are identified to lower wavenumber than reported previously. Fluorescence depletion spectra are recorded to confirm that these CN-Ar features and other higher energy features in the B-X spectrum originate from a common ground state level. The UV depletion is induced by IR excitation of CN-Ar from the ground state zero-point level to a hindered internal rotor state (n(K) = 1(1)) in the CN overtone region. The lowest energy feature in the B-X spectrum at 25,714.1 cm(-1) is assigned as a transition to the zero-point level of the B state and also yields its binding energy, D(0) = 186(2) cm(-1), which is in excellent accord with theoretical predictions. The next feature approximately 40 cm(-1) higher is attributed to overlapping transitions to intermolecular levels with bend (v(b)(K)=1(1)) or stretch (v(s) = 1) excitation. Yet higher features (previously reported) are also assigned, based on their transition type and wavenumber, which are consistent with the intermolecular energy level pattern computed theoretically. Finally, the intensity profile of the lowest energy features in the B-X spectrum reflects the predicted change in the CN (B (2)Σ(+), X (2)Σ(+)) + Ar potentials upon electronic excitation from a weakly anisotropic potential about the linear N≡C-Ar configuration in the ground state to a more strongly bound linear C≡N-Ar structure in the excited B electronic state.     

Accurate potential energy curve for B2. Ab initio elucidation of the experimentally elusive ground state rotation-vibration spectrum

The electron-deficient diatomic boron molecule has long puzzled scientists. As yet, the complete set of bound vibrational energy levels is far from being known, experimentally as well as theoretically. In the present ab initio study, all rotational-vibrational levels of the X (3)Σ(g)(-) ground state are determined up to the dissociation limit with near-spectroscopic accuracy (<10 cm(-1)). Two complete sets of bound vibrational levels for the (11)B(2) and (11)B-(10)B isotopomers, containing 38 and 37 levels, respectively, are reported. The results are based on a highly accurate potential energy curve, which also includes relativistic effects. The calculated set of all vibrational levels of the (11)B(2) isotopomer is compared with the few results derived from experiment [Bredohl, H.; Dubois, I.; and Nzohabonayo, P. J. Mol. Spectrosc. 1982, 93, 281; Bredohl, H.; Dubois, I.; and Melen, F. J. Mol. Spectrosc. 1987, 121, 128]. Theory agrees with experiment within 4.5 cm(-1) on average for the four vibrational level spacings that are so far known empirically. In addition, the present theoretical analysis suggests, however, that the transitions from higher electronic states to the ground state vibrational levels v = 12-15 deserve to be reanalyzed. Whereas previous experimental investigators considered them to originate from the v' = 0 vibrational level of the upper state (2)(3)Σ(u)(-), the present results make it likely that these transitions originate from a different upper state, namely the v' = 16 or the v' = 17 vibrational level of the (1)(3)Σ(u)(-) state. The ground state dissociation energy D(0) is predicted to be 23164 cm(-1).     

Electronic spectroscopy and electronic structure of diatomic TiFe

Diatomic TiFe, a 12 valence electron molecule that is isoelectronic with Cr(2), has been spectroscopically investigated for the first time. In addition, the first computational study that includes the ground and excited electronic states is reported. Like Cr(2), TiFe has a (1)Σ(+) ground state that is dominated by the 1σ(2) 2σ(2) 1π(4) 1δ(4) configuration. Rotationally resolved spectroscopy has established a ground state bond length of 1.7024(3) A?, quite similar to that found for Cr(2) (r(0) = 1.6858 A?). Evidently, TiFe exhibits a high degree of multiple bonding. The vibronic spectrum is highly congested and intense to the blue of 20?000 cm(-1), while two extremely weak band systems, the [15.9](3)Π(1) ← X (1)Σ(+) and [16.2](3)Π(0+) ← X (1)Σ(+) systems, are found in the 16?000-18?500 cm(-1) region. The bond lengths, obtained by inversion of the B(e) (') values, and vibrational frequencies of the two upper states are nearly identical: 1.886?A? and 344 cm(-1) for [15.9](3)Π(1) and 1.884 A? and 349 cm(-1) for [16.2](3)Π(0+). The measured spin-orbit splitting of the (3)Π state is consistent with its assignment to the 1σ(2) 2σ(2) 1π(4) 1δ(3) 2π(1) configuration, as is also found in the ab initio calculations.     

Origin of threefold symmetric torsional potential of methyl group in 4-methylstyrene

To understand the effect of the para position vinyl group substitution in toluene on methyl torsion, we investigated 4-methylstyrene, a benchmark molecule with an extended pi conjugation. The assignment for a 33 cm(-1) band in the excitation spectrum to the 3a(2) torsional transition, in addition to the assignments suggested previously for the other bands in the excitation spectrum, leads to the model potentials for the ground as well as excited states with V(3) (")=19.6 cm(-1), V(6) (")=-16.4 cm(-1) and V(3) (')=25.6 cm(-1), V(6) (')=-30.1 cm(-1), respectively. These potentials reveal that both in ground and excited states, the methyl group conformations are staggered with a 60 degrees phase shift between them. MP2 ab initio calculations support the ground state conformations determined from experiments, whereas Hartree-Fock calculations fail to do so. The origin of the modified ground state potential has been investigated by partitioning the barrier energy using the natural bond orbital (NBO) theoretical framework. The NBO analysis shows that the local delocalization (bond-antibond hyperconjugation) interactions of the methyl group with the parent molecule is sixfold symmetric. The threefold symmetric potential, on the other hand, stems from the interaction of the vinyl group and the adjacent ring pi bond. The threefold symmetric structural energy arising predominantly from the pi electron contribution is the barrier forming term that overwhelms the antibarrier contribution of the delocalization energy. The observed 60 degrees phase shift of the excited state potential is attributed to the pi(*)-sigma(*) hyperconjugation between out of plane hydrogens of the methyl group and the benzene ring.     

Ab initio spin-orbit calculations on the lowest states of the nickel dimer

Potential energy curves of the lowest electronic states of the Ni(2) dimer are calculated near the equilibrium using the multireference ab initio methods including the spin-orbit interaction. Scalar-relativistic results fully confirm previous qualitative interpretations based on the correlation with atomic limits and the symmetry of vacancies in the atomic 3d(9) shells. Spin-orbit calculations firmly establish the symmetry of the ground state as 0(+)(g) and give the excitation energies 70 ± 30 cm(-1) and 200 ± 80 cm(-1) for the lowest 0(-)(u) and 5(u) states, respectively. The model electronic spectrum of the Ni(2) shows some trends that might be observed in matrix isolation far-infrared and electron spin resonance spectra.     

The Al+ -H(2) cation complex: rotationally resolved infrared spectrum, potential energy surface, and rovibrational calculations

The infrared spectrum of the Al(+)-H(2) complex is recorded in the H-H stretch region (4075-4110 cm(-1)) by monitoring Al(+) photofragments. The H-H stretch band is centered at 4095.2 cm(-1), a shift of -66.0 cm(-1) from the Q(1)(0) transition of the free H(2) molecule. Altogether, 47 rovibrational transitions belonging to the parallel K(a)=0-0 and 1-1 subbands were identified and fitted using a Watson A-reduced Hamiltonian, yielding effective spectroscopic constants. The results suggest that Al(+)-H(2) has a T-shaped equilibrium configuration with the Al(+) ion attached to a slightly perturbed H(2) molecule, but that large-amplitude intermolecular vibrational motions significantly influence the rotational constants derived from an asymmetric rotor analysis. The vibrationally averaged intermolecular separation in the ground vibrational state is estimated as 3.03 A, decreasing by 0.03 A when the H(2) subunit is vibrationally excited. A three-dimensional potential energy surface for Al(+)-H(2) is calculated ab initio using the coupled cluster CCSD(T) method and employed for variational calculations of the rovibrational energy levels and wave functions. Effective dissociation energies for Al(+)-H(2)(para) and Al(+)-H(2)(ortho) are predicted, respectively, to be 469.4 and 506.4 cm(-1), in good agreement with previous measurements. The calculations reproduce the experimental H-H stretch frequency to within 3.75 cm(-1), and the calculated B and C rotational constants to within approximately 2%. Agreement between experiment and theory supports both the accuracy of the ab initio potential energy surface and the interpretation of the measured spectrum.     

Gas phase detection of cyclic B3: 2(2)E' <-- X2A1' electronic origin band

The rotationally resolved origin band in the 2(2)E'<--X2A1' electronic spectrum of cyclic B3 has been observed by cavity ring down spectroscopy in the gas phase. The B3 molecule was generated in a supersonic planar plasma containing decaborane (B10H14) and neon as a carrier gas. The rotational structure pattern is that of a cyclic molecule. It is analyzed assuming an equilateral triangle in both electronic states. The band origin is determined to be 21 853.52 cm(-1), and the bond lengths 1.603 77(106) A in the ground and 1.619 07(96) A in the excited electronic state are inferred from analysis of the rotational structure.     

The first observation of the rhodium monofluoride molecule: jet-cooled laser spectroscopic studies

Rhodium monofluoride has been observed and spectroscopically characterized. RhF molecules were produced under jet-cooled conditions in a laser vaporization molecular beam source by the reaction of a laser-vaporized rhodium plasma with SF(6) doped in helium, and studied with laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy under both medium and high resolution. More than 25 bands have been observed in laser-induced fluorescence between 18,500 and 24,500 cm(-1) and five of these have been recorded at 200 MHz resolution. All bands of appreciable intensity have been rotationally analyzed. The ground electronic levels has Omega=2, which is attributed to an inverted (3)Pi state from the 2 delta(4)6 pi(3)12 sigma(1) electron configuration. The ground level rotational constants are B=0.272 45 cm(-1), D=1.035 x 10(-7) cm(-1). Very small ground level Lambda doublings are evident in the spectrum. Excited states having Omega=1, 2, and 3 have been identified. Dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy from 11 excited levels has been used to locate a large number of low-lying vibronic states within the energy range up to 8,000 cm(-1). A ground state vibrational interval of approximately 575 cm(-1) is suggested.     

Characterization of singlet ground and low-lying electronic excited states of phosphaethyne and isophosphaethyne

The singlet ground ((approximate)X(1)Sigma1+) and excited (1Sigma-,1Delta) states of HCP and HPC have been systematically investigated using ab initio molecular electronic structure theory. For the ground state, geometries of the two linear stationary points have been optimized and physical properties have been predicted utilizing restricted self-consistent field theory, coupled cluster theory with single and double excitations (CCSD), CCSD with perturbative triple corrections [CCSD(T)], and CCSD with partial iterative triple excitations (CCSDT-3 and CC3). Physical properties computed for the global minimum ((approximate)X(1)Sigma+HCP) include harmonic vibrational frequencies with the cc-pV5Z CCSD(T) method of omega1=3344 cm(-1), omega2=689 cm(-1), and omega3=1298 cm(-1). Linear HPC, a stationary point of Hessian index 2, is predicted to lie 75.2 kcal mol(-1) above the global minimum HCP. The dissociation energy D0[HCP((approximate)X(1)Sigma+)-->H(2S)+CP(X2Sigma+)] of HCP is predicted to be 119.0 kcal mol(-1), which is very close to the experimental lower limit of 119.1 kcal mol(-1). Eight singlet excited states were examined and their physical properties were determined employing three equation-of-motion coupled cluster methods (EOM-CCSD, EOM-CCSDT-3, and EOM-CC3). Four stationary points were located on the lowest-lying excited state potential energy surface, 1Sigma- -->1A", with excitation energies Te of 101.4 kcal mol(-1) (1A"HCP), 104.6 kcal mol(-1)(1Sigma-HCP), 122.3 kcal mol(-1)(1A" HPC), and 171.6 kcal mol(-1)(1Sigma-HPC) at the cc-pVQZ EOM-CCSDT-3 level of theory. The physical properties of the 1A" state with a predicted bond angle of 129.5 degrees compare well with the experimentally reported first singlet state ((approximate)A1A"). The excitation energy predicted for this excitation is T0=99.4 kcal mol(-1) (34 800 cm(-1),4.31 eV), in essentially perfect agreement with the experimental value of T0=99.3 kcal mol(-1)(34 746 cm(-1),4.308 eV). For the second lowest-lying excited singlet surface, 1Delta-->1A', four stationary points were found with Te values of 111.2 kcal mol(-1) (2(1)A' HCP), 112.4 kcal mol(-1) (1Delta HPC), 125.6 kcal mol(-1)(2(1)A' HCP), and 177.8 kcal mol(-1)(1Delta HPC). The predicted CP bond length and frequencies of the 2(1)A' state with a bond angle of 89.8 degrees (1.707 A, 666 and 979 cm(-1)) compare reasonably well with those for the experimentally reported (approximate)C(1)A' state (1.69 A, 615 and 969 cm(-1)). However, the excitation energy and bond angle do not agree well: theoretical values of 108.7 kcal mol(-1) and 89.8 degrees versus experimental values of 115.1 kcal mol(-1) and 113 degrees. of 115.1 kcal mol(-1) and 113 degrees.