X-ray spectra and electronic structure of solid ammonia

Intermolecular interactions in solid ammonia are investigated in a combined X-ray spectral and quantum chemical study. Theoretical NK_α spectra are constructed on the basis of MNDO calculations of the ammonia molecule and (NH₃)₇ and (NH₃)₁₃ clusters modeling solid ammonia; the spectra are in satisfactory agreement with the experimental X-ray spectra. Fragment analysis of the clusters with respect to the central ammonia molecule is carried out. It is shown that intermolecular electronic interactions in solid ammonia are most effective in MOs of e symmetry (σ-binding of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms). The fragment 2a₁ orbital contributes to the MO structure of the clusters to the least extent. Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 721–726, July–August, 1996. Translated by L. Smolina