Diffusion of vibrationally excited molecules

A treatment is presented for the effect of intermolecular vibrational energy transfer on the diffusion coefficient of vibrationally excited molecules. An analytic treatment based on random walk statistics and a Monte Carlo type calculation have been performed. Both methods yield very similar results which correlate well with existing experimental studies. A hard sphere collision model is treated extensively with comparisons made to other internmolecular potentials. The results support the involvement of long range energy transfer in V → V interactions. The effect of temeprature on the diffusion coefficient of vibrationally excited molecules is calculated, with applications to the CO^*₂CO₂ system.     

Relaxation of highly vibrationally excited molecules

The rate constant for V-V relaxation of diatomic homonuclear molecules is determined from collisions of unexcited molecules with molecules near the dissociation threshold. It is shown that a quasi-resonant transition through several levels dominates in this process so that the energy difference between the initial and final states of the excited molecule is approximately equal to the transition energy from the zero level to the first one. The relaxation kinetics of excited molecules is studied. Absorption of IR radiation by polyatomic molecules is discussed taking into account collisions. A criterion for the negligibility of energy loss is obtained, and the dissociation rate of molecules under the action of IR laser irradiation found. The computational results are compared with experimental data. A self-consistent procedure is formulated for a gas irradiated by a quasi-continuously operating IR laser, in order to determine simultaneously the dissociation rate, dissipation energy flux and temperature. The existence of an optimum radiation region for dissociation is found.     

The decomposition of vibrationally excited molecules

Possible decomposition routes for vibrationally excited hydrocarbons are critically considered using a simple “symmetry” based model. It is shown that C---C bond rupture is characterised by a lower activation energy than the molecular cleavage of hydrogen, although the latter reaction is less endothermic. Other possible decomposition reactions of excited species are also considered.     

Polarization propagator calculation of spectroscopic properties of molecules

We propose 10 desirable features or criteria for general purpose methods to be applied to the calculation of a range of spectroscopic properties. We discuss the second-order polarization propagator approximation (SOPPA ) in light of these criteria by giving the actual computational expression used as well as a few numerical examples taken from the theory of NMR spectra (magnetic shieldings and spin-spin coupling constants). We demonstrate that SOPPA comes close to fulfilling these criteria.     

Supercollisions and energy transfer of highly vibrationally excited molecules

Collisional energy-transfer probability distribution functions of highly vibrationally excited molecules and the existence of supercollisions remain as the outstanding questions in the field of intermolecular energy transfer. In this investigation, collisional interactions between ground state Kr atoms and highly vibrationally excited azulene molecules (4.66 eV internal energy) were examined at a collision energy of 410 cm-1 using a crossed molecular beam apparatus and time-sliced ion imaging techniques. A large amount of energy transfer (1000-5000 cm-1) in the backward direction was observed. We report the experimental measurement for the shape of the energy-transfer probability distribution function along with a direct observation of supercollisions.     

Non-radiative decay rate of vibrationally excited triplet molecules

The non-radiative decay rates of triplet benzene and 2-chloronaphthalene were determined as a function of excitation energy. As the excitation energies were increased, the non-radiative decay rates increased gradually. In the case of 2-chloronaphthalene it increased rapidly for the excitation energies above about 38000 cm^-1.     

Collisional deactivation of highly vibrationally excited hexafluorobenzene molecules

The collisional deactivation of the internal energy of vibrationally highly excited hexafluorobenzene (HFB) molecules was examined by the analysis of ultraviolet absorption spectra of excited HFB molecules produced by excitation with an ArF(193 nm) laser. The decay time profile of the internal energy was calculated from the observed absorption decay profile of the hot molecule using the conversion relation between the absorbance by hot molecules and the internal energy. Thus the average energy 〈ΔE〉 transferred per collision was estimated by two different models; energy-independent and energy-dependent function for the decay of the internal energy. The obtained values of 〈ΔE〉 indicate that the energy-dependent model may give reasonable values for 〈ΔE〉, but as far as the value of 〈ΔE〉 is concerned, the energy-independent model is likely to be applicable to the analysis in this reaction system. The collisional deactivation mechanism of the hot HFB molecule and the heating-up effect observed at shorter wavelengths are discussed on the basis of the conversion curve.     

Energy transfer of highly vibrationally excited naphthalene. II. Vibrational energy dependence and isotope and mass effects

The vibrational energy dependence, H and D atom isotope effects, and the mass effects in the energy transfer between rare gas atoms and highly vibrationally excited naphthalene in the triplet state were investigated using crossed-beam/time-sliced velocity-map ion imaging at various translational collision energies. Increase of vibrational energy from 16 194 to 18 922 cm(-1) does not make a significant difference in energy transfer. The energy transfer properties also remain the same when H atoms in naphthalene are replaced by D atoms, indicating that the high vibrational frequency modes do not play important roles in energy transfer. They are not important in supercollisions either. However, as the Kr atoms are replaced by Xe atoms, the shapes of energy transfer probability density functions change. The probabilities for large translation to vibration/rotation energy transfer (T-->VR) and large vibration to translation energy transfer (V-->T) decrease. High energy tails in the backward scatterings disappear, and the probability for very large vibration to translation energy transfer such as supercollisions also decreases.     

On the theory of the reaction rate of vibrationally excited CO molecules with OH radicals

The dependence of the rate of the reaction CO+OH-->H+CO2 on the CO-vibrational excitation is treated here theoretically. Both the Rice-Ramsperger-Kassel-Marcus (RRKM) rate constant kRRKM and a nonstatistical modification knon [W.-C. Chen and R. A. Marcus, J. Chem. Phys. 123, 094307 (2005).] are used in the analysis. The experimentally measured rate constant shows an apparent (large error bars) decrease with increasing CO-vibrational temperature Tv over the range of Tv's studied, 298-1800 K. Both kRRKM(Tv) and knon(Tv) show the same trend over the Tv-range studied, but the knon(Tv) vs Tv plot shows a larger effect. The various trends can be understood in simple terms. The calculated rate constant kv decreases with increasing CO vibrational quantum number v, on going from v=0 to v=1, by factors of 1.5 and 3 in the RRKM and nonstatistical calculations, respectively. It then increases when v is increased further. These results can be regarded as a prediction when v state-selected rate constants become available.     

Infrared spectroscopic properties of water molecules dissolved in some oxygen bases

The infrared spectra in the OH-stretching and HOH-bending regions of H₂O, and in the OH-stretching region of HDO dissolved in a number of ketones and ethers have been recorded. The number of component bands and their wavenumbers, halfwidths and intensities, as well as the total OH-stretching intensity in each solvent, have been interpreted in terms of a model for the types of hydrogen bonded solvent:water complexes formed in these systems.The effect of temperature on the spectra of H₂O in some of the ketones has been rationalized on the basis of the equilibrium existing between the different hydrogen bonded species present in solution.     

From uncharged to decacationic molecules: syntheses and spectroscopic properties of heteroarenium-substituted pyridines

Nucleophilic substitutions on pentachloropyridine with 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, 4-aminopyridine, and 4-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)pyridine give mono-, tri- and pentacationic pyridine-hetarenium salts. The mono-, tri- and pentacationic 4-aminopyridine derivatives can be deprotonated to neutral compounds in solution, or protonated to di-, hexa- and decacationic pyridine derivatives, respectively. Successive substitutions with different heteroaromatic nucleophiles give pyridines with two distinct types of heteroarenium substituents.     

Spontaneous desorption of vibrationally excited molecules physically adsorbed on surfaces

The energy within a vibrationally excited physisorbed molecule often exceeds that needed to break its bond to the surface. Energy transfer from the vibrating chemical bond to the surface bond causes the surface bond to rupture and the vibrationally relaxed adsorbate is released from the surface. We present a theoretical model which allows an estimation of the residence time of a vibrationally excited adsorbate on a surface. Because of uncertainties in the nature of the surface bond, the lifetimes obtained from the analytical expressions presented have only qualitative significance. The results are interpreted in terms of Franck-Condon overlaps between the wavefunctions which describe the adsorbate-substrate complex and the released adsorbate. Lifetimes are calculated for hydrogen isotopes adsorbed on sapphire surfaces. Guide-lines are given for estimating lifetimes of other systems in terms of a few easily calculated parameters.Let us summarize this guide to spontaneous desorption of physically adsorbed vibrationally excited molecules. The most efficient desorption processes will occur for adsorbates with a small number of bound states (d₀ small) and when released the adsorbate has small translational momentum (small q_m). This momentum gap correlation is most succinctly revealed by fig. 3. Smaller translational momentum will be achieved if the adsorbate can take up energy into its internal motions. Absorption of energy into lattice modes of the substrate will also serve to reduce the translational momentum and provide for more efficient desorption. However, if the vibrational frequency of the adsorbate is in near resonance with surface polarons or plasmons of the substrate, energy transfer to the solid will be so efficient that desorption will be quenched.A test of these possible relaxation channels awaits the first experimental measurements of desorption of vibrationally excited molecules.     

Energy transfer in collisions of highly vibrationally excited tetrahedral molecules

Model trajectory calculations of the energy transfer processes in collisions of Ar with highly vibrationally excited CH₄, CD₄, SiH₄ and CF₄ are performed. Special attention is payed to the calculation of the energy transferred to active (vibrational) degrees of freedom. The results support the diffusion model of excitation-dissociation and give the low pressure collision efficiency β_c which qualitatively agrees with experiment in magnitude and temperature dependence.     

Performance of W4 theory for spectroscopic constants and electrical properties of small molecules

Accurate spectroscopic constants and electrical properties of small molecules are determined by means of W4 and post-W4 theories. For a set of 28 first- and second-row diatomic molecules for which very accurate experimental spectroscopic constants are available, W4 theory affords near-spectroscopic or better predictions. Specifically, the root-mean-square deviations (RMSDs) from experiment are 0.04 pm for the equilibrium bond distances (r(e)), 1.03?cm(-1) for the harmonic frequencies (ω(e)), 0.20?cm(-1) for the first anharmonicity constants (ω(e)x(e)), 0.10?cm(-1) for the second anharmonicity constants (ω(e)y(e)), and 0.001?cm(-1) for the vibration-rotation coupling constants (α(e)). These RMSDs imply 95% confidence intervals of about 0.1 pm for r(e), 2.0?cm(-1) for ω(e), 0.4?cm(-1) for ω(e)x(e), and 0.2?cm(-1) for ω(e)y(e). We find that post-CCSD(T) contributions are essential to achieve such narrow confidence intervals for r(e) and ω(e), but have little effect on ω(e)x(e) and α(e), and virtually none on ω(e)y(e). Higher-order connected triples T(3)-(T) improve the agreement with experiment for the hydride systems, but their inclusion (in the absence of T(4)) tends to worsen the agreement with experiment for the nonhydride systems. Connected quadruple excitations T(4) have significant and systematic effects on r(e), ω(e), and ω(e)x(e), in particular they universally increase r(e) (by up to 0.5 pm), universally reduce ω(e) (by up to 32?cm(-1)), and universally increase ω(e)x(e) (by up to 1?cm(-1)). Connected quintuple excitations T(5) are spectroscopically significant for ω(e) of the nonhydride systems, affecting ω(e) by up to 4?cm(-1). Diagonal Born-Oppenheimer corrections have systematic and spectroscopically significant effects on r(e) and ω(e) of the hydride systems, universally increasing r(e) by 0.01-0.06 pm and decreasing ω(e) by 0.3-2.1?cm(-1). Obtaining r(e) and ω(e) of the pathologically multireference BN and BeO systems with near-spectroscopic accuracy requires large basis sets in the core-valence CCSD(T) step and augmented basis sets in the valence post-CCSD(T) steps in W4 theory. The triatomic molecules H(2)O, CO(2), and O(3) are also considered. The equilibrium geometries and harmonic frequencies (with the exception of the asymmetric stretch of O(3)) are obtained with near-spectroscopic accuracy at the W4 level. The asymmetric stretch of ozone represents a severe challenge to W4 theory, in particular the connected quadruple contribution converges very slowly with the basis set size. Finally, the importance of post-CCSD(T) correlation effects for electrical properties, namely, dipole moments (μ), polarizabilities (α), and first hyperpolarizabilities (β), is evaluated.     

High-temperature collisional energy transfer in highly vibrationally excited molecules II: Isotope effects in isopropyl bromide systems

Values for 〈ΔE_down〉, the average downward energy transferred from the reactant to the bath gas upon collision, have been obtained for highly vibrationally excited undeuterated and per-deuterated isopropyl bromide with the bath gases Ne, Xe, C₂H₄, and C₂D₄, at ca. 870 K. The technique of pressure-dependent very low-pressure pyrolysis (VLPP) was used to obtain the data. For C₃H₇Br, the 〈ΔE_down〉 values (cm^?1) are 490 (Ne), 540 (Xe), 820 (C₂H₄), and 740 (C₂D₄), and for C₃D₇Br, 440 (Ne), 570 (Xe), 730 (C₂H₄), and 810 (C₂D₄). The uncertainties in these values are ca. ±10%. The 〈ΔE_down〉 values for the inert bath gases Ne and Xe show excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions of the semi-empirical biased random walk model for monatomic/substrate collisional energy exchange [J. Chem. Phys., 80 , 5501 (1984)]. The relative effects of deuteration of the reactant molecule on 〈ΔE_down〉 also compare favorably with the predictions of this theoretical model. Extrapolated high-pressure rate coefficients (s^?1) for the thermal decomposition of reactant are 10^13.6±0.3 exp(?200 ± 8 kJ mol^?1/RT) for C₃H₇Br and 10^13.9±0.3 exp(?207 ± 8 kJ mol^±1/RT) for C₃D₇Br, which are consistent with previous studies and the expected isotope effect.     

High temperature collisional energy transfer in highly vibrationally excited molecules: Isotope effects in tert-butyl chloride systems

The average downward collisional energy transfer (<ΔE_down>) is obtained for highly vibrationally excited tert-butyl chloride, both undeuterated and per-deuterated, with Kr, N₂, CO₂, and C₂H₄ bath gases, at ca. 760 K. Data are obtained using the technique of pressure-dependent very low-pressure pyrolysis. Reactant internal energies to which the data are sensitive are in the range 200–250 kJ mol^?1. For C₄H₉Cl, the <ΔE_down> values (cm^?1) are 255 (Kr), 265 (N₂), 440 (CO₂), and 585 (C₂H₄), and for C₄D₉Cl, 245 (N₂), 370 (CO₂), and 540 (C₂H₄). The uncertainties in these values are ca. 20% (40% for Kr); the uncertainties in the deuteration ratios are 10–15%. The value for Kr is in agreement with theoretical predictions of a biased random walk model for internal energy change in monatomic/substrate collisions. The effect of deuteration of <ΔE_down> is also in accord with that predicted by a modification of the theory. Extrapolated highpressure rate coefficients for the thermal decomposition of reactant are 10^13.6 exp(-187 kJ mol^?1/RT) s^?1 (C₄H₉Cl) and 10^14.2 exp(?196 kJ mol^?1/RT) s^?1 (C₄D₉Cl), in accord with other studies and the expected isotope effect.     

Decomposition of chemically activated dimethylcyclopropane molecules vibrationally excited to various extent

The photolyses of ketene (at 313 and 280 nm) and diazirine at 313 nm in the presence of cis-butene-2 were studied. Vibrational relaxation of chemically activated dimethylcyclopropane was shown to occur as a multistep process, and 17 ± 4 kJ mol^?1 was obtained for the average energy transferred per collision with butene-2 collider. Activated cis-dimethylcyclopropane is formed in the reaction of singlet methylene and cis-butene-2 with broad energy distribution which originates from the energy partitioning in the photolytic act. About 30% of the energy released in the photolysis of the methylene source is carried by singlet methylene as vibrational energy at the time of reaction, and this fraction was found to be practically independent of the radical source.     

Ultrafast investigations of vibrationally hot molecules after internal conversion in solution

The creation of vibrationally very hot molecules after internal conversion is seen for the first time in a liquid environment. Cooling of the excited molecules occurs within several 10⁻¹¹ s. Excitation of azulene with photons of 19000 cm⁻¹ leads to a transient internal temperature of 1200 K. The excess population of vibrational modes of 700 cm⁻¹ decays with a time constant of 40 ps.