Photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical studies of UF5(-) and UF6(-)

The UF(5)(-) and UF(6)(-) anions are produced using electrospray ionization and investigated by photoelectron spectroscopy and relativistic quantum chemistry. An extensive vibrational progression is observed in the spectra of UF(5)(-), indicating significant geometry changes between the anion and neutral ground state. Franck-Condon factor simulations of the observed vibrational progression yield an adiabatic electron detachment energy of 3.82 ± 0.05 eV for UF(5)(-). Relativistic quantum calculations using density functional and ab initio theories are performed on UF(5)(-) and UF(6)(-) and their neutrals. The ground states of UF(5)(-) and UF(5) are found to have C(4v) symmetry, but with a large U-F bond length change. The ground state of UF(5)(-) is a triplet state ((3)B(2)) with the two 5f electrons occupying a 5f(z3)-based 8a(1) highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the 5f(xyz)-based 2b(2) HOMO-1 orbital. The detachment cross section from the 5f(xyz) orbital is observed to be extremely small and the detachment transition from the 2b(2) orbital is more than ten times weaker than that from the 8a(1) orbital at the photon energies available. The UF(6)(-) anion is found to be octahedral, similar to neutral UF(6) with the extra electron occupying the 5f(xyz)-based a(2u) orbital. Surprisingly, no photoelectron spectrum could be observed for UF(6)(-) due to the extremely low detachment cross section from the 5f(xyz)-based HOMO of UF(6)(-).     

两种影响生态环境的亚硝基取代烷烃的电子结构

采用紫外光电子能谱实验(PES)和量子化学方法对两种影响生态环境的亚硝基取代烷烃RONO[R=(CH3)2CH,(CH3)3CO]的电子结构进行了分析和讨论。实验得到两种化合物的第一电离能分别为10.37eV和10.12eV,结合从头算自洽场分子轨道(abinitioSCFMO)计算和外壳层格林函数法(OVGF)计算对PES进行了分析和指认。研究表明化合物中取代基效应对电离能存在明显的影响;外层格林函数法计算得到电离能与实验吻合很好;同时发现在外层格林函数计算结果中由于考虑相关能,得到的分子轨道存在能级顺序的交错。实验和理论计算结果进一步证实亚硝基取代烷烃是产生烷基氧自由基(RO^.)的很好的源物种,这为深入研究由它们产生的对环境破坏有着重要影响的相应自由基奠定了基础。     

Determination of gas-phase acidities of dimethylphenols: Combined experimental and theoretical study

The gas-phase acidities of the six dimethylphenol isomers were determined experimentally, by using the kinetic method, and theoretically, through quantum chemistry calculations. The experimental values, relative to the gas-phase acidity of phenol, are (in kJ mol⁻¹): −1.76 ± 0.76 (2,3-Me₂C₆H₃OH), 1.78 ± 0.29 (2,4-Me₂C₆H₃OH), 0.83 ± 0.58 (2,5-Me₂C₆H₃OH), −4.39 ± 0.89 (2,6-Me₂C₆H₃OH), 5.38 ± 1.08 (3,4-Me₂C₆H₃OH), and 1.88 ± 0.08 (3,5-Me₂C₆H₃OH). This trend was discussed by considering the substituent effects on the thermodynamic stabilities both of the parent phenols and the corresponding phenoxide ions. The above acidity data, the literature values for 2-, 3-, and 4-methylphenol, and the substituent effects analysis allowed to develop a simple empirical method to estimate the acidity of any methyl-substituted phenol.     

Estimation of gas-phase acidities of deoxyribonucleosides: An experimental and theoretical study

We determined the gas-phase acidities (ΔH_acid) of four deoxyribonucleosides, i.e., 2′-deoxyadenosine (dA), 2′-deoxyguanosine (dG), 2′-deoxycytidine (dC), and 2′-deoxythymidine (dT) by applying the extended kinetic method. The negatively charged proton-bound hetero-dimeric anions, [A-H-B]⁻ of the deoxyribonucleosides (A) and reference compounds (B) were generated under electrospray ionization conditions. Collision-induced dissociation spectra of [A-H-B]⁻ were recorded at four different collision energies using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. The abundance ratios of the individual monomeric product ions were used to determine the ΔH_acid of the deoxyribonucleosides. The obtained ΔH_acid value follows the order dA7>dC7>dT7>dG. The ΔG_acid (298 K) values were determined by using ΔG_acid=ΔH_acid-TΔS_acid where the ΔH_acid and ΔS_acid values were determined directly from the kinetic method plots. The ΔH_acid values were also predicted for the deoxyribonucleosides at the B3LYP/6-311+G**//B3LYP/6-311G** level of theory. The acidity trend obtained from the computational investigation shows good agreement with that obtained experimentally by the extended kinetic method. Theoretical calculations provided the most preferred deprotonation site as C5′-OH from sugar moiety in case of dA, and as −NH₂ (dC and dG) or -NH- (dT) from nitrogenous base moiety in the case of other deoxyribonucleosides.     

CS2N3(-)-containing pseudohalide species: an experimental and theoretical study

The first structural reports of anhydrous salts containing the CS2N3 moiety are presented. The new M(+)CS2N3- species (M = NH4 (1), (CH3)4N (2), Cs (3), K (4)) were characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman), as well as multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 14N NMR). Moreover, the solid-state structures of NH4CS2N3 (1) [orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 10.6787(1) A, b = 6.8762(1) A, c = 15.2174(2) A, V = 1117.40(2) A3, Z = 8] and (H4C)4NCS2N3 (2) [monoclinic, P2(1)/m, a = 5.9011(1) A, b = 7.3565(2) A, c = 10.9474(3) A, beta = 91.428(1) degrees, V = 475.09(2) A3, Z = 2] were determined using X-ray diffraction techniques. The covalent compound CH3CS2N3 (5) was prepared by the reaction of methyl iodide with sodium azidodithiocarbonate and was characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (IR, Raman), multinuclear NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, 14N), and X-ray diffraction techniques [monoclinic, P2(1)/m, a = 5.544(1) A, b = 6.4792(7) A, c = 7.629(1) A, beta = 105.53(2) degrees, V = 264.06(7) A3, Z = 2]. Furthermore, the gas-phase structure of 5 was calculated (MPW1PW91/cc-pVTZ) and found to be in very good agreement with the experimentally determined structure. Improved synthetic routes for the recently reported dipseudohalogen (CS2N3)2 and interpseudohalogen CS2N3CN (6) are described, and the calculated gas-phase structure of 6 was compared with the experimentally determined structure (X-ray). The vibrational spectra of 6 and HCS2N3 (7) are also reported. Furthermore, several plausible isomers for 7 were calculated in an attempt to rationalize the experimentally observed structure which has N-H and not S-H connectivity. The lowest energy isomer for 7 is in agreement with the experimentally observed structure, and the Br?nsted acidity was calculated at the MPW1PW91/cc-pVTZ level of theory. The unknown CSe2N3- anion (8) was also investigated both theoretically and experimentally, and the structure and vibrational data for the unknown CTe2N3- anion (9) were investigated by quantum-chemical calculations using a quasi-relativistic pseudopotential for Te (ECP46MWB) and a cc-pVTZ basis set for C and N. The gas-phase structure of 9 is predicted to be that of a five-membered ring in analogy to the sulfur and selenium analogues.     

Thermodynamic stability of 2,4,6-tris(nitromethyl)-1,3,5-triazine: an experimental and theoretical study

The molecular geometries and electronic structures of 2,4,6-tris(nitromethyl)-1,3,5-triazine isomers were investigated by the density functional method DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G** to elucidate the structural factors responsible for the stability of these systems. It was shown that a characteristic feature of the nitromethyl tautomer (1) of 2,4,6-tris (nitromethyl)-1,3,5-triazine consists in nonvalence interactions between an oxygen atom of nitro group and a carbon atom of triazine ring, which are probably due to Coulomb attraction between them. The tautomer with the 2,4,6-tris (nitromethylene)-hexahyrdo-1,3,5-triazine structure (2) is stabilized trough direct polar conjugation between the amino and nitro groups at the double bond. Structural strain of the molecule with the 2,4,6-tris(aci-nitromethyl)-1,3,5-triazine structure (3) is the reason for its thermodynamic instability. X-ray data indicate that the compound under study exists in the triazine tautomeric form 1 and the distances between oxygen atoms of nitro group and carbon atom of the triazine ring are shortened. NMR data suggest the existence of triazine in the nitromethyl form 1 in acetonitrile and acetone and a tautomeric equilibrium between the nitromethyl and nitromethylene forms in a more polar solvent (DMSO). The results obtained suggest a Coulomb-type stabilization of the 2,4,6-tris(nitromethyl)-1,3,5-triazine molecule in the gas phase, in the crystal, and in nonpolar solvents.     

Photoelectron imaging spectroscopy and theoretical investigation of ZrSi

The photoelectron spectrum of ZrSi(-) has been measured at two different photon energies: 2.33 eV and 3.49 eV, providing electron binding energy and photoelectron angular distribution information. The obtained vertical detachment energy of ZrSi(-) is 1.584(14) eV. The neutral ground and excited state terms are assigned based on experimental and theoretical results. The ground state of ZrSi is tentatively assigned as a (3)Σ(+) state with a configuration of 1σ(2) 1π(4) 1δ(0) 2σ(1) 3σ(1). A low lying (3)Π(i) neutral excited state is identified to be 0.238 eV (1919 cm(-1)) above the ground state. The anion ground state is designated as a (2)Σ(+) state with a 1σ(2) 1π(4) 1δ(0) 2σ(2) 3σ(1) valence electron configuration. A Franck-Condon (FC) simulation of the photoelectron spectrum has been carried out. For the (3)Σ(+) ← (2)Σ(+) band, theoretically calculated bond lengths and frequencies are used in the FC calculation which give good agreement with experiment, while for the (3)Π(i) ← (2)Σ(+) band, the ZrSi bond length is estimated from the FC spectrum. Comparisons are made with previously published theoretical studies and inconsistencies are pointed out. To the best of our knowledge, this study provides the first spectroscopic information on the transition metal-silicon diatomic, ZrSi.     

BrCl紫外光电子能谱实验及理论研究

采用紫外光电子能谱研究了影响大气臭氧浓度的重要卤素互化物一氯化溴的精细电离能谱．实验得到BrCl的第一绝热电离能和垂直电离能分别为10．95eV和11．00eV．BrCl的最高占据轨道6π电离产生了明显的旋轨分裂谱带．这对旋轨分裂谱带分别清晰地显示出4个振动精细结构峰．频率分析显示BrCl分子最高占据轨道为弱反键性质．比较了HF方法和外壳层格林函数方法(OVGF)对电离能的计算结果,并对实验值进行了分析比较及指认．采用实验构型OVGF方法给出的电离能结果无论在低电离能区还是在高电离能区都和实验值一致,特别是第一垂直电离能10．988eV与实验值11．00eV非常好地吻合．     

Valence-band electronic structure of iron phthalocyanine: an experimental and theoretical photoelectron spectroscopy study

The electronic structure of iron phthalocyanine (FePc) in the valence region was examined within a joint theoretical-experimental collaboration. Particular emphasis was placed on the determination of the energy position of the Fe 3d levels in proximity of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO). Photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) measurements were performed on FePc in gas phase at several photon energies in the interval between 21 and 150 eV. Significant variations of the relative intensities were observed, indicating a different elemental and atomic orbital composition of the highest lying spectral features. The electronic structure of a single FePc molecule was first computed by quantum chemical calculations by means of density functional theory (DFT). The hybrid Becke 3-parameter, Lee, Yang and Parr (B3LYP) functional and the semilocal 1996 functional of Perdew, Burke and Ernzerhof (PBE) of the generalized gradient approximation (GGA-)type, exchange-correlation functionals were used. The DFT/B3LYP calculations find that the HOMO is a doubly occupied π-type orbital formed by the carbon 2p electrons, and the HOMO-1 is a mixing of carbon 2p and iron 3d electrons. In contrast, the DFT/PBE calculations find an iron 3d contribution in the HOMO. The experimental photoelectron spectra of the valence band taken at different energies were simulated by means of the Gelius model, taking into account the atomic subshell photoionization cross sections. Moreover, calculations of the electronic structure of FePc using the GGA+U method were performed, where the strong correlations of the Fe 3d electronic states were incorporated through the Hubbard model. Through a comparison with our quantum chemical calculations we find that the best agreement with the experimental results is obtained for a U(eff) value of 5 eV.     

Kinetic parameters for gas-phase reactions: experimental and theoretical challenges

This article aims to illustrate the added value provided to experimental kinetics investigations by complementary theoretical kinetics studies, using as examples (i) reactions of two major hydrocarbon flame radicals, HCCO and C(2)H, and (ii) reactions of several oxygenated organic compounds with hydroxyl radicals of interest to atmospheric chemistry. The first part, on HCCO and C(2)H kinetics, does not attempt to give an extensive literature review, but rather addresses some major experimental techniques, mainly specific ones, that have allowed a great part of the available reactivity databases on these two species to be established. For several key reactions, it is shown how potential energy surfaces and statistical rate predictions based thereon have provided insight into the molecular mechanisms and have allowed estimates of product distributions as well as reliable extrapolations of experimental rate coefficients and branching ratios to higher temperatures. The second part addresses current issues in atmospheric chemistry relating mainly to hydroxyl radical reactions with oxygenated organics, and focuses on the experimental characterization of the often unusual temperature dependence of their rate coefficients and on the theoretical rationalization thereof, through the formation of hydrogen-bonded pre-reactive complexes and resulting tunnelling-enhanced H-abstraction. Finally, the development of general structure-activity relationships for OH reactions with organics, H-abstractions as well as OH-additions for unsaturated compounds, is briefly discussed.     

Silylium-arene adducts: an experimental and theoretical study

The solvent-coordinated [Me(3)Si·arene][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] salts (arene = benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, n-propylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene) are prepared and fully characterized. As an interesting decomposition product the formation of bissilylated fluoronium ion [Me(3)Si-F-SiMe(3)](+) was observed and even cocrystallized with [Me(3)Si·arene][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] (arene = benzene and toluene). Investigation of the degradation of [Me(3)Si·arene][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] reveals the formation of fluoronium salt [Me(3)Si-F-SiMe(3)][B(C(6)F(5))(4)], B(C(6)F(5))(3), and a reactive "C(6)F(4)" species which could be trapped with CS(2). Upon addition of CS(2), the formation of a formal S-heterocyclic carbene adduct, C(6)F(4)CS(2)-B(C(6)F(5))(3), was observed. The structure and bonding of substituted [Me(3)Si·arene][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] with arene = R(n)C(6)H(6-n) (R = H, Me, Et, Pr, and Bu; n = 0-6) is discussed on the basis of experimental and theoretical data. X-ray data of [Me(3)Si·arene][B(C(6)F(5))(4)] salts reveal nonplanar arene species with significant cation···anion interactions. As shown by different theoretical approaches (charge transfer, partial charges, trimethylsilyl affinity values) stabilizing inductive effects occur; however, the magnitude of such effects differs depending on the degree of substitution and the substitution pattern.     

Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectroscopy of BO- and BO2-: a joint experimental and theoretical study

We report a photoelectron spectroscopy and computational study of two simple boron oxide species: BO- and BO2-. Vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra are obtained at several photon energies (355, 266, 193, and 157 nm) for the 10B isotopomers, 10BO- and 10BO2-. In the spectra of 10BO-, we observe transitions to the 2Sigma+ ground state and the 2Pi excited state of 10BO at an excitation energy of 2.96 eV. The electron affinity of 10BO is measured to be 2.510+/-0.015 eV. The vibrational frequencies of the ground states of 10BO- and 10BO and the 2Pi excited state are measured to be 1725+/-40, 1935+/-30, and 1320+/-40 cm-1, respectively. For 10BO2-, we observe transitions to the 2Pig ground state and two excited states of 10BO2, 2Piu, and 2Sigmau+, at excitation energies of 2.26 and 3.04 eV, respectively. The electron affinity of 10BO2 is measured to be 4.46+/-0.03 eV and the symmetrical stretching vibrational frequency of the 2Piu excited state of 10BO2 is measured to be 980+/-30 cm-1. Both density functional and ab initio calculations are performed to elucidate the electronic structure and chemical bonding of the two boron oxide molecules. Comparisons with the isoelectronic AlO- and AlO2- species and the closely related molecules CO, N2, CN-, and CO2 are also discussed.     

Nitrosyl isocyanate (ONNCO): gas-phase generation and a HeI photoelectron spectroscopy study

The nitrosyl isocyanate (ONNCO) has been generated from a heterogeneous reaction of gaseous nitrosyl chloride with silver isocyanate and studied for the first time in the gas phase. This structurally and energetically novel transient specimen is characterized by HeI photoelectron spectroscopy combined with DFT calculations. Both the calculations and the spectroscopic results suggest that the molecule adopts an open-chain trans structure. The observed decomposition products indicate the formation of ONNCO and further confirm the previously reported decomposition pathway.     

Infrared spectroscopy of copper-resveratrol complexes: a joint experimental and theoretical study

Infrared multiple-photon dissociation spectroscopy has been used to record vibrational spectra of charged copper-resveratrol complexes in the 3500-3700 cm(-1) and 1100-1900 cm(-1) regions. Minimum energy structures have been determined by density functional theory calculations using plane waves and pseudopotentials. In particular, the copper(I)-resveratrol complex presents a tetra-coordinated metal bound with two carbon atoms of the alkenyl moiety and two closest carbons of the adjoining resorcinol ring. For these geometries vibrational spectra have been calculated by using linear response theory. The good agreement between experimental and calculated IR spectra for the selected species confirms the overall reliability of the proposed geometries.     

Photophysical and electrochemical properties of new ortho-metalated complexes of rhodium(III) containing 2,2'-dipyridylketone and 2,2'-dipyridylamine. An experimental and theoretical study

Two new ortho-metalated rhodium(III) complexes of the formula [Rh(ppy)(2)(L)](+), ppy = 2-phenylpyridine and L = 2,2'-dipyridylketone (dpk) (), 2,2'-dipyridylamine (HDPA) () have been synthesized and subjected to X-ray diffraction crystal structural, photophysical and electrochemical studies. Density functional theory calculations have also been performed to get rationalizations of the optical orbitals and redox orbitals concerning photophysical and electrochemical data. Complex exhibits the triplet ligand-to-ligand charge transfer ((3)LLCT) [pi(ppy)-pi*(dpk)] phosphorescence at 77K (520 nm) and at room temperature (555 nm), while complex shows triplet ligand centred ((3)LC) [pi-pi*(ppy)] phosphorescence only at 77K (460 nm). Both complexes and have similar irreversible oxidation potentials (+1.19 V for and +1.15 V for vs. Fc/Fc(+)). These two complexes show different characteristics in the reduction process: a reversible process occurs for at -1.31 V, while an irreversible process is observed for 2 at -1.85 V.     

An experimental and theoretical study of the gas-phase decomposition of monoprotonated peptide nucleic acids

Peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) are DNA/RNA mimics which have recently generated considerable interest due to their potential use as antisense and antigene therapeutics and as diagnostic and molecular biology tools. These synthetic biomolecules were designed with improved properties over corresponding oligonucleotides such as greater binding affinity to complementary nucleic acids, enhanced cellular uptake, and greater stability in biological systems. Because of the stability and unique structure of PNAs, traditional sequence confirmation methods are not effective. Alternatively, electrospray ionization coupled with Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry shows great potential as a tool for the characterization and structural elucidation of these oligonucleotide analogs. Extensive gas-phase fragmentation studies of a mixed nucleobase 4-mer (AACT) and a mixed nucleobase 4-mer with an acetylated N-terminus (N-acetylated AACT) have been performed. Gas-phase collision-induced dissociation of PNAs resulted in water loss, cleavage of the methylene carbonyl linker containing a nucleobase, cleavage of the peptide bond, and the loss of nucleobases. These studies show that the fragmentation behavior of PNAs resembles that of both peptides and oligonucleotides. Molecular mechanics (MM+), semiempirical (AM1), and ab initio (STO-3G) calculations were used to investigate the site of protonation and determine potential low energy conformations. Computational methods were also employed to study prospective intramolecular interactions and provide insight into potential fragmentation mechanisms.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional calculations of CuSi(n)- (n = 4-18) clusters

We conducted a combined anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory study on the structural evolution of copper-doped silicon clusters, CuSi(n)(-) (n = 4-18). Based on the comparison between the experiments and theoretical calculations, CuSi(12)(-) is suggested to be the smallest fully endohedral cluster. The low-lying isomers of CuSi(n)(-) with n ≥ 12 are dominated by endohedral structures, those of CuSi(n)(-) with n < 12 are dominated by exohedral structures. The most stable structure of CuSi(12)(-) is a double-chair endohedral structure with the copper atom sandwiched between two chair-style Si(6) rings or, in another word, encapsulated in a distorted Si(12) hexagonal prism cage. CuSi(14)(-) has an interesting C(3h) symmetry structure, in which the Si(14) cage is composed by three four-membered rings and six five-membered rings.     

Photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio study of the doubly antiaromatic B(6) (2-) dianion in the LiB(6) (-) cluster

A metal-boron mixed cluster LiB(6) (-) was produced and characterized by photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. A number of electronic transitions were observed and used to compare with theoretical calculations. An extensive search for the global minimum of LiB(6) (-) was carried out via an ab initio genetic algorithm technique. The pyramidal C(2v) ((1)A(1)) molecule was found to be the most stable at all levels of theory. The nearest low-lying isomer was found to be a triplet C(2) ((3)B) structure, 9.2 kcal/mol higher in energy. Comparison of calculated detachment transitions from LiB(6) (-) and the experimental photoelectron spectra confirmed the C(2v) pyramidal global minimum structure. Natural population calculation revealed that LiB(6) (-) is a charge-transfer complex, Li(+)B(6) (2-), in which Li(+) and B(6) (2-) interact in a primarily ionic manner. Analyses of the molecular orbitals and chemical bonding of B(6) (2-) showed that the planar cluster is twofold (pi- and sigma-) antiaromatic, which can be viewed as the fusion of two aromatic B(3) (-) units.     

The stereodynamics of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-1,3,5-oxadiazinane and 1,3,5-tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-1,3,5-triazinane—an experimental and theoretical study

Multinuclear dynamic NMR spectroscopy of 3,5-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-1,3,5-oxadiazinane (3) revealed the existence of two conformers with differently oriented CF₃ groups with respect to the ring, and two dynamic processes: ring inversion and restricted rotation about the N-S bond. Two transition states connecting the two conformers and corresponding to clockwise and counterclockwise rotations about the N-S bond were found; the calculated activation barriers of about 12 kcal/mol are in excellent agreement with those measured experimentally for the related molecule 1,3,5-tris(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-1,3,5-triazinane (1). X-ray analysis proved the existence of the symmetric isomer of 3, which is the minor isomer in solutions but the only one in the crystal due to packing effects. The normal Perlin effect (JCH_ax<JCH_eq) was observed for 2(6)-CH₂ in 3, whereas the reversed Perlin effect was found for the 4-CH₂ group in 3 as well as for all CH₂ groups in 1 both experimentally and theoretically. The latter effect in compounds 1, 3, and 1-(methylsulfonyl)-3,5-bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)-1,3,5-triazinane (2) can be considered as a genuine reverse Perlin effect since larger values of ¹J_CH are observed for longer C-H bonds.