Mechanism for resonant O electron stimulated desorption from condensed O2. Non-adiabatic transitions and dynamics

Absolute kinetic energy distributions and yields associated with ground state ³P and excited state ¹D oxygen atoms have been obtained for O⁻ anion electron stimulated desorption from condensed O₂ in the electron energy range 6–15 eV. The observed yields are understood as resulting essentially from dissociative electron attachment reactions via the two lowest ²Σ⁺_g O⁻₂ resonance states through adiabatic and non-adiabatic transitions to the limits O⁻(²P) + O(³P) and O⁻(²P) + O(¹D). The kinetic energy distributions show the prominent role of electron multiple collision processes and post-dissociation interactions of the O⁻ anions in the condensed phase.     

Classical trajectory calculation for ion-pair formation in K+O2 collisions

Three-dimensional trajectory surface hopping calculations were performed on two diabatic energy surfaces. The covalent surface describes the K(²S) + O₂(³Σ⁻_g) state and the ionic surface K⁺(¹S) + O⁻₂(²Π_g). Transitions from one surface to another were computed through the Landau—Zener model. At small deflection angles, the energy loss distribution exhibits two peaks, as observed, due to O⁻₂ in its electronic ground state and to vibrationally excited O⁻₂.     

Fraction of excited-state oxygen formed as b Σg in solution-phase-photosensitized reactions II. Effects of sensitizer substituent

The fraction F_Σ of excited-state oxygen formed as b ¹Σ_g⁺ was determined for a series of triplet-state photosensitizers in CCl₄ solutions. F_Σ was determined by monitoring the intensities of (a) O₂(b ¹Σ_g⁺) fluorescence at 1926 nm (O₂(b ¹Σ_g⁺)→O₂(a ¹Δ_g) and (b) O₂(a ¹ Δ_g) phosphorescence at 1270 nm (O₂(a ¹Δ_g) → O₂(X³Σ_g⁻)). Oxygen excited states were formed by energy transfer from substituted benzophenones and acetophenones. The data indicate that F_Σ depends on several variables including the orbital configuration of the lowest triplet state and the triplet-state energy. The available data indicate that the sensitizer-oxygen charge transfer (CT) state is not likely to influence F_Σ strongly by CT-mediated mixing of various sensitizer-oxygen states.     

EPR study of the radicals formed upon UV irradiation of ceria-based photocatalysts

EPR measurements reveal remarkable differences on the type of radicals produced after UV illumination of TiO₂, CeO₂ and 0.8% CeO₂/TiO₂ photocatalysts. Photoactivation of the TiO₂ sample in vacuum results in the formation of Ti⁴⁺–O⁻ species and a small amount of Ti³⁺ centers. In the presence of adsorbed oxygen, irradiation of this material also generates Ti⁴⁺–O₃⁻ radicals. In the case of the CeO₂/TiO₂ catalyst, the ceria component is present in a highly dispersed state, as indicated by XRD and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) results. Accordingly, the only type of Ce⁴⁺–O₂⁻ adducts generated on the CeO₂/TiO₂ sample are indicative of the presence of two-dimensional patches of ceria on the anatase surface. On the other hand, photoactivation of the CeO₂/TiO₂ sample in the presence of oxygen also leads to the formation of some Ti⁴⁺–O⁻ and Ti³⁺ centers. In the case of the CeO₂ sample, superoxide radicals are observed upon irradiation in vacuum and subsequent oxygen adsorption. Further irradiation of this material in the presence of oxygen increases the amount of Ce⁴⁺–O₂⁻ radicals and simultaneously generates new species, which are tentatively assigned to Ce⁴⁺–O₂H radicals. Photocatalytic activity was tested for toluene oxidation, and the results obtained show that the photodegradation rate is slightly lower for CeO₂/TiO₂ than for the TiO₂ sample. However, the selectivity towards benzaldehyde (6–13%) is comparable for both materials. In the case of CeO₂, the photo-oxidation rate is an order of magnitude lower than for TiO₂, although mineralization of toluene is almost complete. Photoactivity results are discussed in connection with the characteristics of the radicals observed.     

The chemical production of electronically excited states in the H/NF2 system

A mixture of NF₃ and Ar is passed through an rf discharge in a flow-system to produce, among other species, F and NF₂. When H₂, D₂, or CH₄ are added downstream, reactions with F atoms produce vibrationally excited HF or DF together with H, D, or CH₃. The latter free radicals can react with NF₂, probably by an elimination reaction to produce electronically excited NF: NF₂(²B₁) + H(D, CH₃) → HF^*(DF^* + NF(a¹Δ). A vibrational-to-electronic energy transfer process between the products of this reaction then produces the next higher state of NF: HF(ν 2) + NF(a¹Δ) → HF(ν−2) + NF(b¹Σ⁺). A similar transfer process has also been found between the electronically excited a¹Δ states of O₂ and NF: O₂(a¹Δ) + NF(a¹Δ) → O₂(X³Σ⁻) + NF(b¹Σ⁺). The H or D atoms but not the CH₃ radicals are then found to react with either NF(a¹Δ) or NF(X³Σ⁻) to produce electronically excited N(₂D) atoms, which in turn react with the NF(a¹Δ) molecules to produce N₂(B³Π_g). The observed nitrogen first positive radiation has been demonstrated to be produced entirely by this reaction mechanism rather than by the N(⁴S) recombination that accounts for the Rayleigh afterglow. In addition, the occurrence of the reaction N(₂D) + N₂O → NO(B²Π_r) + N₂ (X¹Σ⁺_g) has been verified. Finally we have observed emission at 3344 Å, which we attribute to the NF(A³Π), which has not been previously reported.     

Electronic structure of the radicals NF and NCl. III. The radiative lifetimes of the bΣ and aΔ states

The radiative lifetimes of the b¹Σ⁺ and a¹Δ states have been evaluated by perturbation expansions including X³Σ⁻, a¹Δ, b¹Σ⁺, 1^3,1Π, 2^3,1Π, 2³Σ⁻ and 2¹Σ⁺ states. All wavefunctions result from large MRD CI calculations. The b—X transition is dominated by the parallel transition moment; it is found to be much stronger than the a—X transition. The calculated radiative lifetimes of τ(¹Σ⁺)=18 ms, τ(¹Δ)=2.2 s for NF and τ(¹Σ⁺)=2.5–3.5 ms for NCl are in good accord with corresponding experimentally deduced values. The lifetime for the a¹Δ state in NCl is found to be τ(¹Δ)=1.1 s, ie. much longer than derived from a recent experiment. Its magnitude is consistent with the τ(b¹Σ⁺)/τ(a¹Δ) ratio of similar systems and with the decrease in lifetime from NF to NCl and is thus believed to be quite reliable. A detailed analysis of all contributions of the perturber states to the transition mechanism is made and comparison with the related data in SO, O₂ and S₂ is undertaken. The b-a transition probability dominated by the quadrupole transition is fairly constant in all the systems in the order of A = 0.013 (NF) - 0.0013 (S₂) s⁻¹.     

Ab initio study of the two competitive channels HO2 + H → H2 + O2 and HO2 + H → H2O + O

Saddle point geometries and barrier heights have been calculated for the H abstraction reaction HO₂(²A″)+H(²S) → H₂(¹Σ⁺_g)+O₂(³Σ⁻_g) and the concerted H approach-O removing reaction HO₂ (²A″)+H(²S) → H₂O(¹A₁)+O(³P) by using SDCI wavefunctions with a valence double-zeta plus polarization basis set. The saddle points are found to be of C_s symmetry and the barrier heights are respectively 5.3 and 19.8 kcal by including size consistent correction. Moreoever kinetic parameters have been evaluated within the framework of the TST theory. So activation energies and the rate constants are estimated to be respectively 2.3 kcal and 0.4×10⁹ ℓ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the first reaction, 20.0 kcal and 5.4.10⁻⁵ ℓ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ for the second. Comparison of these results with experimental determinations shows that hydrogen abstraction on HO₂ is an efficient mechanism for the formation of H₂ + O₂, while the concerted mechanism envisaged for the formation of H₂O + O is highly unlikely.     

A quantum mechanical analysis on the selective production of the oxygen atom fine-structure states along asymmetric resonances in OH predissociation

Predissociation of the A ²Σ⁺ state is treated by an exact theory employing two frame transformation matrices, each of which connects the atomic term limits (O(³P) and O(¹D)) to the correlating adiabatic Born—Oppenheimer states. Resonances corresponding to the higher (v 7) rovibrational levels of the A ²Σ⁺ state are predicted to have asymmetric (Fano-type) profiles. The branching ratios of O(³P_j, J = 0, 1, 2) are shown to be influenced by nonadiabatic interactions in the Franck—Condon region between the A ²Σ⁺ and dissociative ⁴Σ⁻, ²Σ⁻ and ⁴Π states. The branching ratios show a strong variation along asymmetric resonances, while remaining energy independent along Lorentzian resonances.     

Photodissociation spectroscopy of Mg—Ar

Mg⁺—Ar ion—molecule complexes are produced in a pulsed supersonic nozzle cluster source. The complexes are mass selected and studied with laser photodissociation spectroscopy in a reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer system. An electronic transition assigned as X ²Σ⁺ → ²Π is observed with an origin at 31387 cm⁻¹ (vac) for ²⁴Mg⁺—Ar. The ²⁴Mg⁺—Ar spectrum is characterized by a 15 member progression with a frequency (ω′_e) of 272 cm⁻¹. An extrapolation of this progression fixes the excited state dissociation energy (D′_o) at 5552 cm⁻¹. The corresponding ground-state value (D″_o) is 1270 cm⁻¹ (3.6 kcal/mol). The ²Π _, spin—orbit splitting is 76 cm⁻.     

The vibrational state distributions in both products of the reaction: O(P) + NO2 → O2 + NO

A laser pulse-and-probe method has been used to determine the nascent vibrational populations in NO(v=0–4) and O₂(v=6–11) formed in the thermal reaction: O(³P) + NO₂ → O₂(v) + NO(v). A frequency-tripled Nd: YAG laser is used to photolyse NO₂, diluted tenfold in Ar, and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy in the NO A ²Σ⁺-X ²Π and O₂ B ³Σ⁻_u -X ³Σ⁻_g electronic band system is used both to follow the kinetics of individual vibrational states and to determine the nascent vibrational distributions. The majority of the NO product is formed in v = 0 and the average vibrational yield is ≈ 4.6%. The O₂ populations fall monotonically from v = 6 to 11 in a distribution close to what is expected on prior grounds. Based on a surprisal analysis, the average vibrational energy yield in O₂ is ≈ 26%. The nature of the reaction dynamics is discussed.     

A Gaussian-2 ab initio study of [C2H5S] ions: III. H2 and CH4 eliminations from CH3CHSH and CH3SCH2

Gaussian-2 ab initio calculations were performed to examine the six modes of unimolecular dissociation of cis-CH₃CHSH⁺ (1⁺), trans-CH₃CHSH⁺ (2⁺), and CH₃SCH₂⁺ (3⁺): 1⁺→CH₃⁺+trans-HCSH (1); 1⁺→CH₃+trans-HCSH⁺ (2); 1⁺→CH₄+HCS⁺ (3); 1⁺→H₂+c-CH₂CHS⁺ (4); 2⁺→H₂+CH₃CS⁺ (5); and 3⁺→H₂+c-CH₂CHS⁺ (6). Reactions (1) and (2) have endothermicities of 584 and 496 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. Loss of CH₄ from 1⁺ (reaction (3)) proceeds through proton transfer from the S atom to the methyl group, followed by cleavage of the C–C bond. The reaction pathway has an energy barrier of 292 kJ mol⁻¹ and a transition state with a wide spectrum of nonclassical structures. Reaction (4) has a critical energy of 296 kJ mol⁻¹ and it also proceeds through the same proton transfer step as reaction (3), followed by elimination of H_2. Formation of CH₃CS⁺ from 2⁺ (reaction (5)) by loss of H₂ proceeds through protonation of the methine (CH) group, followed by dissociation of the H₂ moiety. Its energy barrier is 276 kJ mol⁻¹. On both the MP2/6-31G* and QCISD/6-31G* potential-energy surfaces, the H₂ 1,1-elimination from 3⁺ (reaction (6)) proceeds via a nonclassical intermediate resembling c-CH₃SCH₂⁺ and has a critical energy of 269 kJ mol⁻¹.     

All electron ab initio investigations of the electronic states of the MoN molecule

The low lying electronic states of the molecule MoN were investigated by performing all electron ab initio multi-configuration self-consistent-field (CASSCF) calculations. The relativistic corrections for the one electron Darwin contact term and the relativistic mass-velocity correction were determined in perturbation calculations. The electronic ground state is confirmed as being ⁴∑⁻. The chemical bond of MoN has a triple bond character because of the approximately fully occupied delocalized bonding π and σ orbitals. The spectroscopic constants for the ground state and ten excited states were derived. The excited doublet states ²∑⁻, ²Γ, ²Δ, and ²∑⁺ are found to be lower lying than the ⁴Π state that was investigated experimentally. Elaborate multi-configuration configuration-interaction (MRCI) calculations were carried out for the states ⁴∑⁻ and ⁴∏ using various basis sets. The spectroscopic constants for the ⁴∑⁻ ground state were determined as r_e=1.636 Å and ω_e=1109 cm⁻¹, and for the ⁴∏ state as r_e=1.662 Å and ω_e=941 cm⁻¹. The values for the ground state are in excellent agreement with available experimental data. The MoN molecule is polar with a charge transfer from Mo to N. The dipole moment was determined as 2.11 D in the ⁴∑⁻ state and as 4.60 D in the ⁴∏ state. These values agree well with the revised experimental values determined from molecular Stark spectroscopic measurements. The dissociation energy, D_e, is determined as 5.17 eV, and D₀ as 5.10 eV.     

MRD CI study on the low-lying states of AlP

Large-scale MRD CI calculations assign to AlP the ground state X ³Σ⁻ (9σ²3π²) and a close-lying state 1 ³Π (9σ3π³) (T_e = 0.08 eV). Up to transition energies of 2.0 eV, other states are described by the configurations 9σ3π³ (1¹Π), 8σ²3π⁴ (1 ¹Σ⁺), 9σ²3π² (1 ¹Δ and 2 ¹Σ⁺) and 9σ3π²4π (1 ⁵Π). The 2 ³Π state, located at ≈ 2.30 eV, shows a shallow double minimum. Numerous perturbations are expected to induce predissociation upon 2 ³Π. Multiplets arising from the occupation 8σ²3π³4π are clustered in the 3.25–3.50 eV region. Quintet states with the configuration 8σ9σ3π³4π are bound, with T_e values (in eV) of 3.80 (1 ⁵Σ⁺), 4.44 (1 ⁵Δ) and 4.88 (3 ⁵Σ⁻), respectively. The 9σ → 4s Rydberg members ⁵Σ⁻ and ³Σ⁻ lie in the 4.58–4.72 eV energy region. The first ionization potential (ionization to X⁴Σ⁻ of AlP⁺, 9σ → ∞) is estimated to be 7.65 eV. Ionization to the 1 ²Σ⁻ and 1 ²Π states of AlP⁺ is suggested to occur between 8.0 and 8.8 eV. The dipole moments of X ³Σ⁻, 1 ¹Δ and 2 ¹Σ⁺ are close to 1.0 D, whereas the 1 ¹Σ⁺ state has μ = 3.49 D; 1 ³Π and 1 ¹Π have dipole moments from 2.45 to 2.91 D. All low-lying states show a polarity Al⁺P⁻. Finally, the electronic structure and transition energies of AlP are compared with those of the isoelectronic species BN, AIN, and SiP⁺.     

The A Πu-X Πg emission spectrum of I2

The A ²Π_u-X ²Π_g electronic emission spectrum of I₂⁺ has been recorded at a low rotational temperature in a crossed molecular beam/electron beam apparatus. Six vibrational sequences with five or more members have been assigned to progressions in ν′, giving ω′_e = 122±8 cm⁻¹, but a full vibrational analysis has not been possible. It is not known whether this is due to the relatively poor resolution (≈5 cm⁻¹) at which the spectrum has been recorded or because the A ²Π_u state is perturbed in one or both spin-orbit components. Existing data on the A state of I₂⁺ are reviewed.     

The discrimination between triplet state and radical cation in the pulse radiolysis of bithiophene in CCl4

The triplet state (³2T) and the radical cation (2T⁺√) of 2,2′-bithiophene (2T) are characterized by pulse radiolysis in CCl₄. Two main absorption bands at 360 and 420 nm are respectively attributed to ³2T* and to 2T⁺√. The triplet, induced in an excited state through a Förster mechanism, undergoes a conformational rearrangement (k₆=(6.8±0.9)×10⁶ s⁻¹). The radical cation is produced both through a resonance charge transfer and a second diffusional process; the two oxidizing species are respectively CCl₄⁺√ and (CCl⁺₃Cl⁻)_solv through the mediation of a singlet excited state, ¹2T*.     

Lifetime measurements of electronically excited C3(Πu) radicals in different vibrational states

The radiative lifetimes of nine vibrational levels of the C₃(¹Π_u) radical were obtained from decay time studies of the C₃(¹Π_u → ¹Σ⁺_g) fluorescence induced by a tunable dye laser. The lifetimes of the different vibronic levels were found to be constant within the experimental error limits, namely, τ_o = (200 ± 10) ns. The collisional deactivation of the C₃(¹Π_u) states by helium gives rate constants between 2.5 and 4 in 10⁻¹¹ cm³ molecule⁻¹ s⁻¹ units.     

Lifetime measurements of the excited states of N2 AND N2 by laser-induced fluorescence

Absorption and fluorescent scattering of nitrogen laser radiation by a low-pressure RF laboratory plasma (n_e = 10¹² cm⁻³) has been observed for the first negative system of N₂⁺. A 67±1 ns lifetime of N₂⁺ (B ²Σ_u⁺) was experimentally measured from the laser-induced fluorescence. In addition, enough collisionally excited N₂ (B ³Π_g) was produced to observe laser-induced fluorescence for the second positive system of N₂. The lifetime of N₂ (C ³Π_u) was found to be 41±2 ns. The measured lifetimes are in good agreement with published values calculated from theory.     

Theoretical determination of the ionization potentials of the 1σ and 2σ electrons of CO(Σ)

Large-basis-set calculations of near Hartree-Fock accuracy were performed on CO⁺(1σ-hole ²Σ⁺) and CO⁺)2σ-hole, ²Σ⁺); correlation energies for these systems and for CO were calculated using an atoms-in-molecule approach, relativistic energies and vibrational structure corrections were also considered. The results are: IP(CO, 1σ) = 542.4 (542.57) eV, IP(CO,2σ) = 297.0 (296.24) cV, D_c(CO, ¹Σ⁺) = 10.8 (11.1) Ev, D₃(CO⁺, 1σ, ²Σ⁺) = 11.9 eV, D_e(CO⁺, 2σ, ²Σ⁺) = 9.1 eV, where IP and D_e stand respectively for ionization potential and dissociation energy, and where the numbers in parentheses refer to the most recent experimental values. The electron transfers resulting from the ionization of inner-shell electrons are discussed. Finally a quantitative correlation is developed correlating absolute chemical shifts to charge densities. Agreement between the calculated values and those derived from the correlation is quite satisfactory.     

The reactions of a dinuclear ferric complex (oxo) di-iron(III) triethylenetetraamminehexaacetate, Fe2O(ttha), with oxidizing and reducing free radicals. A pulse radiolysis study

The rate constants at which oxidizing and reducing radicals react with the dinuclear iron(III) complex Fe₂O(ttha)²⁻ were measured in neutral aqueous solution. The rate constants for reduction of the complex by ·CO₂^.− CH₃^.CHOH and O₂^.− were found to be comparable with rate constants previously measured in mononuclear iron(III) polyaminocarboxylate systems. Fe₂O(ttha)²⁻ reacts slowly with O₂^.− (k₈ = (1.2 ± 0.2) × 10⁴ dm³ mol⁻¹ s⁻¹) and, hence, is a relatively poor catalyst for the dismutation of superoxide radical. The hydrated electron reduces the complex at a diffusion-controlled rate in a process which consumes one proton: e_aq⁻ + Fe₂O(ttha)²⁻ → Fe₂^III,IIO(ttha)³⁻ The reduction by carbon-centered radicals produces a (III,II) mixed-valence complex with an absorption spectrum different from that of the Fe₂(II,III) species produced from reduction by the hydrated electron. The oxidizing radicals ^.OH and ·CO₃⁻ appear to act as reductants of the complex via ligand oxidation rather than by oxidation of the Fe₂^IIIO core to Fe₂^III,IVO. In the former case ligand attack appears to occur mainly at the methylene carbon of a glycinate group. The decarboxylation product, CO₂, was detected by its aquation reaction in the presence of a pH sensitive dye, bromthymol blue.     

The production of SO (Σ) by flash excitation of sulphur dioxide

The spectrum of SO (X³Σ⁻) has been observed following the flash excitation of sulphur dioxide with radiation above 250 nm. Sulphur monoxide is produced via an excited molecule mechanism involving triplet SO₂. The rate constant for the reaction ³SO₂ + SO₂ was measured as (3.1 ± 1) × 10⁸ M⁻¹ sec⁻¹.