Electronic states and nature of bonding of the molecule NiSi by all electron ab initio HF-CI and CASSCF calculations

All electron ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF), configuration interaction (CI) and multiconfiguration self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations have been applied to investigate the low-lying electronic states of the NiSi molecule. The ground state of the NiSi molecule is predicted to be¹Σ⁺. The chemical bond in the¹Σ⁺ ground state is a double bond composed of one σ and one π bond. The σ bond is due to a delocalized molecular orbital formed by combining the Ni 4s and the Si 3pσ orbitals. The π bond is a partly delocalized valence bond, originating from the coupling of the 3dπ hole on Ni with the 3pπ electron on Si. Withing the energy range 1 eV 18 electronic states have been identified. The lowest lying electronic states have been characterized as having a hole in either the 3dπ or the 3dδ orbital of Ni, and the respective final states are formed when either of these holes are coupled to the 3pπ valence electron of Si.     

Charge dynamics of 57Fe probe atoms in La2Li0.5Cu0.5O4

The objective of this study is to characterize the electronic state and local surrounding of ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer probe atoms within iron-doped layered perovskite La₂Li_0.5Cu_0.5O₄ containing transition metal in unusual formal oxidation states “+3”. An approach based on the qualitative energy diagrams analysis and the calculations within the cluster configuration interaction method have been developed. It was shown that a large amount of charge is transferred via Cu-O bonds from the O: 2p bands to the Cu: 3d orbitals and the ground state is dominated by the d⁹L configuration (“Cu²⁺-O^-” state). The dominant d⁹L ground state for the (CuO₆) sublattice induces in the environment of the ⁵⁷Fe probe cations a charge transfer Fe³⁺ + O⁻(L) → Fe⁴⁺ + O²⁻, which transforms “Fe³⁺” into “Fe⁴⁺” state. The experimental spectra in the entire temperature range 77–300 K were described with the use of the stochastic two-level model based on the assumption of dynamic equilibrium between two Fe³⁺↔Fe⁴⁺ valence states related to the iron atom in the [Fe(1)O₄]^4- center. The relaxation frequencies and activation energies of the corresponding charge fluctuations were estimated based on Mössbauer data. The results are discussed assuming a temperature-induced change in the electronic state of the [CuO₄]^5- clusters in the layered perovskite.     

On the low-lying electronic states of BiF

Relativistic CI calculations on the low-lying states of BiF(0⁺, 1, 2, 0⁺(II)) arising from the σ²π² configuration are carried out. Comparison calculations of the λ-s states without spin-orbit interaction (³Σ⁻, ¹Σ⁺ and ¹Δ) are also presented. These calculations enable the assignment of three experimentally observed low-lying states. In addition, the properties of a new state (2) are calculated (yet to be observed). The calculated dissociation energy of the ground state is 2.63 eV. The potential energy surfaces of the low-lying electronic states of BiF reveal interesting avoided crossings. Our calculations clarify the earlier assignment of the electronic transitions of BiF.     

Electronic states and nature of bonding of the molecule PdSi by all electron ab initio HF-CI calculations and mass spectrometric equilibrium experiments

Six low-lying electronic states of the PdSi molecule have been investigated by performing all electron ab initio Hartree-Fock (HF) and configuration interaction (CI) calculations. The molecule is predicted to have a³∏ ground state and two low-lying excited states,³Σ^? and¹Σ⁺. The electronic structure of the PdSi molecule has been rationalized in a simple molecular orbital diagram. As part of the PdSi molecule the Pd atom essentially retains its (4d)¹⁰ ground term configuration. The chemical bond in the PdSi molecule has been interpreted in terms of donation and back-donation of charge. The bond is polar with charge transfer from the Pd to the Si atom. The dissociation energy of the PdSi molecule has been determined from the mass spectrometric equilibrium data in combination with the theoretical results asD ₀ ^o =257±12 kJ mol^?1.     

Ab initio calculations on low-lying electronic states of PdH

Potential energy curves for the low-lying electronic states of PdH have been calculated using the MRCI method with scalar relativistic and spin-orbit corrections, and all electronic states correlating to the 4d¹⁰ (¹S), 4d⁹ 5s¹ (³D), 4d⁹ 5s¹ (¹D) and 4d⁸ 5s² (³F) states of Pd were included. Potential energy curves for the individual Ω states have been obtained, and the experimentally observed spectra of both PdH and PdD isotopologues have been assigned appropriately based on the ab initio results. Einstein A coefficients were calculated for other possible transitions from the low-lying electronic states to the X²Σ⁺ ground state. Diagonal and off-diagonal matrix elements of the spin-orbit Hamiltonian were calculated for all vibrational levels of the X²Σ⁺, 1²Δ, 1²Π, 2²Σ⁺ and 3²Σ⁺ states, and it was found from the eigenvectors that the vibrational wavefunctions of the 1²Δ_3/2 and 1²Π_3/2 states are mixed significantly in both PdH and PdD isotopologues.     

A matrix-induced change in the electronic ground state of nickel atoms isolated in rare gases

Comparison of the absorption spectra for matrix-isolated Ni atoms with gas-phase data reveals that the electronic ground-state configuration of the isolated atom can be changed by the matrix. While Ni in Ne has the same configuration as in the gas phase, namely 3d⁸4s² we find in Ar, Kr, and Xe the 3d⁹4s¹ configuration to be the ground state. The matrix-induced changes is explained by the repulsive matrix-dopant interaction, which is sufficiently lowered in the 3d⁹4s¹ configuration to overcompensate for the energy difference of 205 cm^?1 by which the 3d⁹4s¹ level lies above the 3d⁸4s² in the free atom.     

The nickel-group IV molecules NiC,NiSi, and NiGe

All electron ab initio calculations have been applied to elucidate the electronic states and the nature of the chemical bonds in the molecules NiC, NiSi, and NiGe. The calculations have revealed that the ground states of all three molecules are¹Σ⁺, but due to the open 3d shell of the Ni atom the molecules have many low-lying electronic states. The NiC molecule is strongly polar, and the low-lying electronic states have been identified as those arising when the angular momenta of the³F_g Ni⁺ ion are coupled to the angular momenta of the⁴S_uC^? anion. The chemical bond in the NiC molecule has triple bond character due to the valence bond couplings between the Ni 4s and 3dπ electrons and theC 2p electrons. The chemical bonds in the molecules NiSi and NiGe are very much alike; they are double bonds composed of oneσ and oneπ bond. Theσ bond is due to the doubly occupied delocalized molecular orbital composed of the Ni 4s orbital and the Si 3pσ or the Ge 4pσ orbital. Theπ bond originates from the valence bond coupling between the localized hole in the Ni 3dπ orbital and the valencepπ electron of Si or Ge.     

Molecular orbital calculations on transition metal complexes. Part IX

Potential energy curves for the ground and some low energy excited states of a number of complexes with a 3d ⁵ electronic configuration have been computed from INDO type SCF MO calculations. The results agree extremely well with the known ground states of the complex ions MnF ₆ ^4? , FeF ₆ ^3? , CoF ₆ ^2? , and Fe(CN) ₆ ^3? , in particular the crossover from high to low spin being obtained for changes in both central metal ion oxidation state and ligand. The calculated contraction in metal ligand distance on passing from the high spin to the low spin state is ～ 0.05 Å for each complex in very good agreement with the value indicated by pressure dependent magnetic measurements. Computed electronic transition energies involving bothd-d type and charge-transfer excitations compare favourably with observed spectroscopic values.     

Relativistic all electron configuration interaction calculation of ground and excited states of the gold hydride molecule

We present relativistic configuration interaction calculations with the spin-free no-pair hamiltonian on the gold hydride molecule, treating the ground state as well as the eleven lowest excited states. The calculations provide a picture of the bonding in theX ¹Σ⁺ ground state consistent with previous work on this species using four-component spinors: compared to non-relativistic calculations, the dipole moment is reduced by a factor of two, hybridization (and thus participation ofd orbitals at the bonding) is greatly enhanced, the bond length is shortened by 20 pm, and the dissociation energy is increased by 50%. Comparison of the spin-averaged potential curves of the excited states with experiment suggests a reinterpretation of theC ¹Σ⁺ as the 0⁺ fine structure component of 2³Π and the prediction of a weakly bound³Σ⁺ state with weak transitions to the ground state in the range of 2.9–3.1 eV.     

Electronic state of Fe used as Mössbauer probe in the perovskites LaMO3 (M=Ni and Cu)

For the first time a comparative study of rhombohedral LaNiO₃ and LaCuO₃ oxides, using ⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer probe spectroscopy (1% atomic rate), has been carried out. In spite of the fact that both oxides are characterized by similar crystal structure and metallic properties, the behavior of ⁵⁷Fe probe atoms in such lattices appears essentially different. In the case of LaNi_0.99Fe_0.01O₃, the observed isomer shift (δ) value corresponds to Fe³⁺ (3d⁵) cations in high-spin state located in an oxygen octahedral surrounding. In contrast, for the LaCu_0.99Fe_0.01O₃, the obtained δ value is comparable to that characterizing the formally tetravalent high-spin Fe⁴⁺(3d⁴) cations in octahedral coordination within Fe(IV) perovskite-like ferrates. To explain such a difference, an approach based on the qualitative energy diagrams analysis and the calculations within the cluster configuration interaction method have been developed. It was shown that in the case of LaNi_0.99Fe_0.01O₃, electronic state of nickel is dominated by the d⁷ configuration corresponding to the formal ionic “Ni³⁺-O²⁻” state. On the other hand, in the case of LaCu_0.99Fe_0.01O₃ a large amount of charge is transferred via Cu-O bonds from the O:2p bands to the Cu:3d orbitals and the ground state is dominated by the d⁹L configuration (“Cu²⁺−O” state). The dominant d⁹L ground state for the (CuO₆) sublattice induces in the environment of the ⁵⁷Fe probe cations a charge transfer Fe³⁺+O⁻(L)→Fe⁴⁺+O²⁻, which transforms “Fe³⁺” into “Fe⁴⁺” state. The analysis of the isomer shift value for the formally “Fe⁴⁺” ions in perovskite-like oxides clearly proved a drastic influence of the 4s iron orbitals population on the Fe−O bonds character.     

Case studies in multiphoton ionisation and dissociation of Na2

Dissociative ionisation of Na₂ via the 3s 3d ¹Σ _g and¹Π _g states has been studied in the near threshold energy regime up to 120 meV above the three particle (Na⁺ + Na(3s) +e ^?) break up limit. A pulsed, cold molecular beam, pulsed laser 2 colour 3 photon resonantly enhanced multiphoton ionisation, and kinetic energy analysis of the fragments by a time of flight method (KETOF) is used. As series of vibrational levels in the two intermediate 3s 3d Rydberg states are excited, slow Na⁺ fragments are observed with a maximum kinetic energy given by the excess energy of the 2 + 1 photon process above threshold, thus confirming a direct dissociative ionisation process. The intensity distribution of the Na⁺ fragments shows a very pronounced maximum at zero kinetic energy, its shape differing somewhat for the¹Σ _g and¹Π _g intermediate states. Also observed is a strong signal of fast fragments arising from a typical 4 photon process which leads to dissociation of Na ₂ ⁺ molecules in their electronic ground state.     

Pseudopotential,MC-SCF and limited CI calculations on nickel-bis-dithiolene

The pseudopotential method is used to perform multiconfigurational (MC) SCF and full valence configuration interaction (CI) calculations on the dianion of nickel-bis-dithiolene, [Ni(S₂C₂H₂)₂]^2?. Both a planar (D_2h) and a near tetrahedral (D_2d) conformation are considered. Charge distributions are calculated, yielding a charge on Ni of 0.22 in the planar and 0.57 in the tetrahedral case. The experimental ground state, the planar ¹Ag state, approaches a 3d⁹ configuration on Ni (the d-population equals 8.87), while the nickel 3d-population of all other calculated states ranges from 8.35 to 8.69. The single d—d excitation spectrum for the planar complex is discussed, and the first transition is computed to be ¹Ag → ¹B_1g. Intramolecular rotation, i.e., one ligand ring rotating with respect to the other, is also discussed. The rotation is proposed to occur via a tetrahedral triplet intermediate since the relevant singlet tetrahedral state is estimated to lie more than 1 eV higher than the triplet intermediate. The discussion of the intramolecular rotation is made difficult by an error in the calculated singlet—triplet splittings. Possible causes of this error are pointed out.     

Construction and applications of symmetrized valence bond wave functions

A method constructing symmetry-adapted bonded Young tableau bases is proposed, based on the symmetry properties of bonded tableaus and the projection operator associated with a point group. Several examples including the ground states and π excited states of O₃⁻, O₃, O₃⁺, and C₃⁻ are shown for instruction to construct the symmetrized valence bond (VB) wave function. Excitation energies of transitions from the ground states to π excited states of O₃⁻, C₃H₅, and C₃⁻ are calculated with an optimized symmetrized valence bond wave function in the σ–π separation approximation. Good agreement between the VB and experimental excitation energies is observed. The bonding features of the ground state and the first π excited singlet and triplet states for S₃ are discussed according to bonding populations from VB calculations. Both the singlet-biradical and the dipole structures have significant contributions to the ground state X ¹A₁ of S₃, while the excited state 1 ¹B₂ is essentially composed of the dipole structures, and the 1 ³B₂ excited state is comprised from a triplet-biradical structure. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 66 : 1–7, 1998     

Heteropoly compounds as octahedral high valence complex. Spectrochemical properties of Waugh-structure enneamolybdonickelate(IV) and enneamolybdomanganate(IV) ions

Electronic absorption and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra in UV-vis region of Waugh-structure [XMo₉O₃₂]^6?(X = Ni(IV), Mn(IV)) ion in aqueous solution and solid IR spectra have been measured. The Ni(IV) ion in the polyanion has a low-spin d⁶ electronic configuration and the Mn(IV) ion has a d³ configuration. Visible absorption spectrum of the nickelate(IV) polyanion is interpreted to be mainly governed by charge-transfer transitions of the “ligand”, Mo₉O₃₂, to Ni(IV) ion, rather than d-d transitions, while visible absorption of the manganate(IV) polyanion is governed, to a great extent, by d-d transitions. It is indicated by the MCD spectrum that the splitting of the first d-d absorption in the manganate(IV) polyanion is due to a contribution of the spin-forbiden transition, rather than from a trigonal splitting of the spin-allowed transition. Absorption and MCD spectra in UV region are due to charge-transfer transition within a common “ligand”, which are less influenced by the kind of heteroatom, Ni(IV) or Mn(IV). The MCD pattern by the intra-ligand charge-transfer is especially characteristic of the Waugh-structure polyanions.     

Theoretical description of the low-lying excited states of CuCl

The low-lying excited states of CuCl have been investigated theoretically in the Hartree-Fock approximation. Spin-orbit interactions have been included semi-empirically using an atoms-in-molecules technique. All six excited states that were previously characterized experimentally are found to arise from fine structure sublevels of the Cu⁺(3d⁹4s ^1,3D)Cl⁻(3p⁶¹S) configuration.     

Pulse radiolysis and voltammetry of bis(diamine)dioxorhenium(V) complexes

The Re(V) complexes [Re(L)₂O₂]⁺ [L = en (1,2-diaminoethane) or pn (1,3-diaminopropane)] are reduced irreversibly near −1.5 V (SCE) in a neutral or basic aqueous solution, but protonation causes a significant anodic shift of ≈ + 1 V. No oxidation is observed in aqueous solution before the solvent limit (≈ + 1 V) at solid electrodes but oxidation of [Re(en)₂O₂]⁺ with OH in pulse radiolysis experiments generates a Re(VI) intermediate which decays by first-order kinetics (k_d 2.5 × 10⁴ s⁻¹), apparently by rate-determining ligand loss. Reduction with e⁻_aq likewise forms transient d³-Re(IV) complexes which show first-order decay (6 × 10³ s⁻¹ for en, 9 × 10³ s⁻ for pn), ultimately to ReO₂. Transient intermediates were characterized by their electronic spectra, which for d³-Re(IV) complexes are qualitatively similar to Cr(III) and known octahedral Re(IV) complexes with different donor ligands.     

Electronic structure of the lithium molecular anion,Li2−

The electronic structure of the ground and excited states of the Li₂⁻ anion has been studied using optimized CI wavefunctions. The low-lying ²Σ_g⁺ state is of the Feshbach type and exhibits a near-degeneracy between ²Σ_g⁺ (υ′ = 0) of Li₂⁻ and ¹Σ_g⁺ (υ″ = 6) of Li₂. In contrast with the H₂⁻ system, we find a rich spectrum of low-lying resonant states for Li₂⁻.     

Potential energy surfaces of OsCO

Potential energy surfaces for the low-lying states of osmium carbon monoxide (OsCO) have been studied using the complete active space multi-configuration self-consistent field (CAS-MCSCF) followed by multireference singles+doubles configuration interaction (MRSDCI). Additionally, spin–orbit effects were included through the relativistic configuration interaction method. It is found that the ground state of OsCO is an 0⁺ spin–orbit state which is a mixture of ³Σ⁻ and ¹Σ⁺. Spin–orbit coupling not only splits the various electronic states of OsCO but also mixes different electronic states.     

Electronic transition moment of the AΠr-XΣ system of TiN

The A²Π_r-X²Σ⁺ transition of TiN was observed by the dispersed laser induced fluorescence (DLIF) spectroscopy. The relative intensities of the DLIF spectra were analyzed to determine the dependence of the electronic transition moment, R_e(r), on the internuclear distance, r, as R_e(r)∝{1−0.281(26)r} (1.380 Å≤r≤1.823 Å). This r-dependence was analyzed simultaneously with the reported values of the spin-orbit constants for A²Π_r and the hyperfine-coupling constants for X²Σ⁺ to evaluate the ionic character of the TiN bond, the 4s atomic character in the 9σ orbital of X²Σ⁺, and the 4p atomic character in the 4π orbital of A²Π_r. These characters were confirmed to be in accordance with the reported theoretical prediction. A strong r-dependence was indicated for the 3d-4p mixing in the A²Π_r state due to the configuration mixing of the Ti(3d⁴) and Ti(3d³4p) states at a large internuclear distance.