Probing alkenoxy radical electronic structure using anion PEI spectroscopy.

Photoelectron imaging spectra of three alkenoxide radical anions (3-buten-1-oxide, 3-buten-2-oxide, and 2-propenoxide) are presented and analyzed with supporting results of density functional theory calculations. In all spectra, intense detachment features are observed at approximately 2 eV electron binding energy, which is similar to the electron affinities of saturated neutral alkoxy radicals [Ramond et al., J. Chem. Phys. 112, 1158 (2000)]. Photoelectron angular distributions suggest the presence of several overlapping transitions which are assigned to the X̃ and à states of multiple energetically competitive conformers. The term energy of the à state of the 2-propenoxy radical, 0.17 eV, is higher than that of 3-buten-2-oxy (0.13 eV) and 3-buten-1-oxy (0.05 eV) radicals. Comparing the butenoxy radicals, we infer that stronger interactions between the non-bonding O 2p orbitals and the π bond increase the splitting between the ground and the first excited state in the 3-buten-2-oxy radical relative to the 3-buten-1-oxy radical.

O2-·[Polar VOC] Complexes: H-Bonding versus Charge-Dipole Interactions, and the Noninnocence of Formaldehyde.

Anion photoelectron imaging was used to measure the photodetachment spectra of molecular complexes formed between O2- and a range of atmospherically relevant polar molecules, including species with a carbonyl group (acetone, formaldehyde) and alcohols (ethanol, propenol, butenol). Experimental spectra are analyzed using a combination of Franck-Condon simulations and electronic structure calculations. Strong charge-dipole interactions and H-bonding stabilize the complex anions relative to the neutrals, resulting in a ca. 1 eV increase in electron binding energy relative to bare O2-, an effect more pronounced in complexes with H-bonding. In addition, broken degeneracy of the O2-local πg orbitals in the complexes results in the stabilization of the low-lying excited O2 (a 1Δg)·[polar VOC] state relative to the ground O2 (X 3Σg-)·[polar VOC] state when compared to bare O2. The spectra of the O2-·[polar VOC] complexes exhibit less pronounced laser photoelectron angular distribution (PADs). The spectrum of O2-·formaldehyde is unique in terms of both spectral profile and PAD. On the basis of these experimental results in addition to computational results, the complex anion cannot be described as a distinct O2- anion partnered with an innocent solvent molecule; the molecules are more strongly coupled through charge delocalization. Overall, the results underscore how the symmetry of the O2 πg orbitals is broken by different polar partners, which may have implications for atmospheric photochemistry and models of solar radiation absorption that include collision-induced absorption.

Photoelectron Imaging Spectra of O2-·VOC and O4-·VOC Complexes.

The anion photoelectron imaging spectra of O2-·VOC and O4-·VOC (VOC = hexane, isoprene, benzene, and benzene-d6) complexes measured using 3.49 eV photon energy, along with the results of ab initio and density functional theory results are reported and analyzed. Photodetachment of these anionic complexes accesses neutrals that model collision complexes, offering a probe of the effects of symmetry-breaking collision events on the electronic structure of normally transparent neutral molecules. The energies of O2-·VOC spectral features compared to the bare O2- indicate that photodetachment of the anion accesses a modestly repulsive region of the O2-VOC potential energy surface, with subtle VOC dependence on the relative energies of the O2 (X 3Σg-)·VOC ground state and O2 (a 1Δg)·VOC excited state. In contrast, a significantly higher intensity of the transition to the O2 (a 1Δg)·VOC excited state relative to the O2 (X 3Σg-)·VOC ground state is observed for VOC = benzene, with a less pronounced effect observed for VOC = isoprene. Similar spectral effects are observed in the O4-·benzene and O4-·isoprene PE spectra. Several explanations are considered, with involvement of a temporary anion state emerging as the most plausible.

Photoelectron imaging and photodissociation of ozonide in O3(-)⋠(O2)n (n = 1-4) clusters.

The photoelectron images of O3 (-) and O3 (-) ⋅ (O2)n (n = 1-4) have been measured using 3.49 eV photon energy. The spectra exhibit several processes, including direct photodetachment and photodissociation with photodetachment of O(-) photofragments. Several spectra also exhibit autodetachment of vibrationally excited O2 (-) photofragments. Comparison of the bare O3 (-) photoelectron spectra to that of the complexes shows that the O3 (-) core is preserved upon clustering with several O2 molecules, though subtle changes in the Franck-Condon profile of the ground state photodetachment transition suggest some charge transfer from O3 (-) to the O2 molecules. The electron affinities of the complexes increase by less than 0.1 eV with each additional O2 molecule, which is comparable to the corresponding binding energy [K. Hiraoka, Chem. Phys. 125, 439-444 (1988)]. The relative intensity of the photofragment O(-) detachment signal to the O3 (-) ⋅ (O2)n direct detachment signal increases with cluster size. O2 (-) autodetachment signal is only observed in the O3 (-), O3 (-) ⋅ (O2)3, and O3 (-) ⋅ (O2)4 spectra, suggesting that the energy of the dissociative state also varies with the number of O2 molecules present in the cluster.

New insights on photocatalytic H2 liberation from water using transition-metal oxides: lessons from cluster models of molybdenum and tungsten oxides.

Molecular hydrogen (H2) is an excellent alternative fuel. It can be produced from the abundantly present water on earth. Transition-metal oxides are widely used in the environmentally benign photocatalytic generation of H2 from water, thus actively driving scientific research on the mechanisms for this process. In this study, we investigate the chemical reactions of W3O5(-) and Mo3O5(-) clusters with water that shed light on a variety of key factors central to H2 generation. Our computational results explain why experimentally Mo3O5(-) forms a unique kinetic trap in its reaction while W3O5(-) undergoes a facile oxidation to form the lowest-energy isomer of W3O6(-) and liberates H2. Mechanistic insights on the reaction pathways that occur, as well as the reaction pathways that do not occur, are found to be of immense assistance to comprehend the hitherto poorly understood pivotal roles of (a) differing metal-oxygen and metal-hydrogen bond strengths, (b) the initial electrostatic complex formed, (c) the loss of entropy when these TMO clusters react with water, and (d) the geometric factors involved in the liberation of H2.

Asymmetric partitioning of metals among cluster anions and cations generated via laser ablation of mixed aluminum/Group 6 transition metal targets.

While high-power laser ablation of metal alloys indiscriminately produces gas-phase atomic ions in proportion to the abundance of the various metals in the alloy, gas-phase ions produced by moderate-power laser ablation sources coupled with molecular beams are formed by more complicated mechanisms. A mass spectrometric study that directly compares the mass distributions of cluster anions and cations generated from laser ablation of pure aluminum, an aluminum/molybdenum mixed target, and an aluminum/tungsten mixed target is detailed. Mass spectra of anionic species generated from the mixed targets showed that both tungsten and molybdenum were in higher abundance in the negatively charged species than in the target material. Mass spectra of the cationic species showed primarily Al(+) and aluminum oxide and hydroxide cluster cations. No molybdenum- or tungsten-containing cluster cations were definitively assigned. The asymmetric distribution of aluminum and Group 6 transition metals in cation and anion cluster composition is attributed to the low ionization energy of atomic aluminum and aluminum suboxide clusters. In addition, the propensity of both molybdenum and tungsten to form metal oxide cluster anions under the same conditions that favor metallic aluminum cluster anions is attributed to differences in the optical properties of the surface oxide that is present in the metal powders used to prepare the ablation targets. Mechanisms of mixed metal oxide clusters are considered.

Shift from covalent to ionic bonding in Al2MoO(y) (y = 2-4) anion and neutral clusters.

The electronic and molecular structures of Al2MoO(y) (y = 2-4) anion and neutral complexes were studied using anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. The spectra are broad, reflecting significant structural changes in the transition from anion to neutral, and the neutral electron affinities determined from the spectra are similar for all three species. The calculations suggest that the lowest energy isomers of the neutral clusters can be described as predominantly (Al(+))2[MoO(y)(-2)] ionic complexes, in which the Al(+) cations bond with O(2-) anions in a way that minimizes repulsion with the positively charged Mo center. The anion structures for all three complexes favor closer Mo-Al and Al-Al internuclear distances, with the extra negative charge distributed more evenly among all three metal centers. Energetically, the fully occupied 3s orbitals on the Al centers are lower than the Mo-local 4d-like orbitals and above the O-local 2p-like orbitals. In the case of Al2MoO2(-), there is direct Al-Al covalent bonding. The calculated spectroscopic parameters for these species are consistent with the observed spectra, though definitive assignments are not possible due to the broad, unresolved spectra observed and predicted.

Vibrational excitation and product branching ratios in dissociation of the isotopologs of H3O: experiment and theory.

The dissociation dynamics of the Rydberg radical H3O and the deuterated isotopologs have been studied by dissociative charge exchange of H3O(+) with Cs. Center-of-mass kinetic energy release distributions were measured with a fast-beam translational spectrometer and compared with direct dynamics quasiclassical trajectory calculations with initial conditions from an ab initio potential energy surface for H3O(+). The experimental branching fractions for dissociation of each isotopolog were obtained and compared with the calculated branching fractions. The dominant dissociation channel for all species is elimination of an H/D atom, and the water product was formed with a significant vibrational inversion in stretching vibrations that varies with the mass of the leaving atom in the dissociation. Branching fractions for the mixed isotopologs show that H atom elimination is favored over D atom elimination. Given the importance of H3O(+) in plasmas, astrochemistry, and in condensed phases, the striking energy partitioning found in this neutralization process is notable.

Study of MoNbO(y) (y = 2-5) anion and neutral clusters using photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations: impact of spin contamination on single point calculations.

Results of a study combining anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations on the heteronuclear MoNbO(y)(-) (y = 2-5) transition metal suboxide cluster series are reported and analyzed. The photoelectron spectra, which exhibit broad electronic bands with partially resolved vibrational structure, were compared to spectral simulations generated from calculated spectroscopic parameters for all computationally determined energetically competitive structures. Although computational results on the less oxidized clusters could not be satisfactorily reconciled with experimental spectra, possibly because of heavy spin contamination found in a large portion of the computational results, the results suggest that (1) neutral cluster electron affinity is a strong indicator of whether O-atoms are bound in M-O-M bridge positions or M═O terminal positions, (2) MoNbO(y) anions and neutrals have structures that can be described as intermediate with respect to the unary (homonuclear) Mo(2)O(y) and Nb(2)O(y) clusters, and (3) structures in which O-atoms preferentially bind to the Nb center are slightly more stable than alternative structures. Several challenges associated with the calculations are considered, including spin contamination, which appears to cause spurious single point calculations used to determine vertical detachment energies.

Electronic structures of WAlO(y) and WAlO(y)(-) (y = 2-4) determined by anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations.

The anion photoelectron spectra of WAlO(y)(-) (y = 2-4) are presented and assigned based on results of density functional theory calculations. The WAlO(2)(-) and WAlO(3)(-) spectra are both broad, with partially resolved vibrational structure. In contrast, the WAlO(4)(-) spectrum features well-resolved vibrational structure with contributions from three modes. There is reasonable agreement between experiment and theory for all oxides, and calculations are in particular validated by the near perfect agreement between the WAlO(4)(-) photoelectron spectrum and a Franck-Condon simulation based on computationally determined spectroscopic parameters. The structures determined from this study suggest strong preferential W-O bond formation, and ionic bonding between Al(+) and WO(y)(-2) for all anions. Neutral species are similarly ionic, with WAlO(2) and WAlO(3) having electronic structure that suggests Al(+) ionically bound to WO(y)(-) and WAlO(4) being described as Al(+2) ionically bound to WO(4)(-2). The doubly-occupied 3sp hybrid orbital localized on the Al center is energetically situated between the bonding O-local molecular orbitals and the anti- or non-bonding W-local molecular orbitals. The structures determined in this study are very similar to structures recently determined for the analogous MoAlO(y)(-)/MoAlO(y) cluster series, with subtle differences found in the electronic structures [S. E. Waller, J. E. Mann, E. Hossain, M. Troyer, and C. C. Jarrold, J. Chem. Phys. 137, 024302 (2012)].

Electronic structures of AlMoO(y)(-) (y = 1-4) determined by photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations.

Vibrationally-resolved photoelectron spectra of AlMoO(y)(-) (y = 1-4) are presented and analyzed in conjunction with density functional theory computational results. The structures determined for the AlMoO(y) anion and neutral clusters suggest ionic bonding between Al(+) and a MoO(y)(-) or MoO(y)(-2) moiety, and point to the relative stability of Mo=O versus Al=O bonds. The highest occupied and partially occupied orbitals in the anions and neutrals can be described as Mo atomic-like orbitals, so while the Mo is in a higher oxidation state than Al, the most energetically accessible electrons are localized on the molybdenum center.

Structures of trimetallic molybdenum and tungsten suboxide cluster anions.

Anion photoelectron spectra of Mo(3)O(y)(-) and W(3)O(y)(-) (y = 3-6) are reported and analyzed using density functional theory results in an attempt to determine whether electronic and structural trends in the less oxidized clusters (y = 3, 4) could elucidate the disparate chemical properties of the M(3)O(y)(-) (M = Mo, W, y = 5, 6) species. In general, cyclic structures are calculated to be more stable by at least 1 eV than extended structures, and the lowest energy structures calculated for the most reduced species favor M = O terminal bonds. While the numerous low-energy structures found for Mo(3)O(y)(-)/Mo(3)O(y) and W(3)O(y)(-)/W(3)O(y) were, in general, similar, various structures of W(3)O(y)(-)/W(3)O(y) were found to be energetically closer lying than analogous structures of Mo(3)O(y)(-)/Mo(3)O(y). Additionally, the Mo-O-Mo bridge bond was found to be a more stabilizing structural motif than the W-O-W bridge bond, with the oxygen center in the former having the highest negative charge. Based on this, the observation of trapped intermediates in reactions between Mo(3)O(y)(-) and water or CO(2) that are not observed in analogous W(3)O(y)(-) reactivity studies may be partially attributed to the role of bridge bond fluxionality.

Study of Nb2O(y) (y = 2-5) anion and neutral clusters using anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations.

A study combining anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations on the transition metal suboxide series, Nb(2)O(y)(-) (y = 2-5), is described. Photoelectron spectra of the clusters are obtained, and Franck-Condon simulations using calculated anion and neutral structures and frequencies are used to evaluate the calculations and assign transitions observed in the spectra. The spectra, several of which exhibit partially resolved vibrational structure, show an increase in electron affinity with increasing cluster oxidation state. Hole-burning experiments suggest that the photoelectron spectra of both Nb(2)O(2)(-) and Nb(2)O(3)(-) have contributions from more than one structural isomer. Reasonable agreement between experiment and computational results is found among all oxides.

Dissociative charge exchange dynamics of HOCO+ and DOCO+.

Translational spectroscopy has been used to study the dissociation of HOCO and DOCO to both the OH/OD(X(2)Pi) + CO(X(1)Sigma(+)) and H/D((2)S) + CO(2)(X(1)Sigma(+)) product channels upon charge exchange between a fast (keV) beam of HOCO(+)/DOCO(+) and cesium. Analysis of the measured kinetic energy release distributions for the two product channels suggests that HOCO is initially produced in the 1(2)A'' electronic state by near resonant electron capture from cesium (approximately 4.31 eV above the ground state trans-HOCO conformer). This initial state undergoes rapid predissociation leading to OH + CO and H + CO(2) products, with respective branching fractions of 0.75 +/- 0.03 and 0.25 +/- 0.03. Possible mechanisms leading to dissociation and the observed dissociation dynamics are presented in light of theoretical studies of the low-lying electronic states of HOCO.

Study of MoVO(y) (y = 2-5) anion and neutral clusters using anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations.

The vibrationally resolved anion photoelectron (PE) spectra of MoVO(y)(-) (y = 2 - 5) metal suboxide clusters are presented and analyzed in the context of density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The electronically congested spectra reflect an increase in cluster electron affinity with increasing oxidation state. Ion beam hole-burning results reveal the features in the PE spectra of MoVO(2)(-) and MoVO(4)(-) are a result of only one anion isomer, while at least two isomers contribute to electronic structure observed in the PE spectrum of MoVO(3)(-). Spectral features of the binary systems are compared to their pure analogs, Mo(2)O(y) and V(2)O(y). An attempt to characterize the anion and neutral electronic and molecular structures is made by comparison with results from DFT calculations. However, reconciliation between the cluster spectra and the calculated spectroscopic parameters is not as straightforward as in previous studies on similar systems (Yoder, B. L.; Maze, J. T.; Raghavachari, K.; Jarrold, C. C. J. Chem. Phys. 2005, 122, 094313 and Mayhall, N. J.; Rothgeb, D. W.; Hossain, E.; Raghavachari, K.; Jarrold, C. C. J. Chem. Phys. 2009, 130, 124313).

Dissociation dynamics of isotopologs of CH5 studied by charge exchange of CH5+ with Cs and quasiclassical trajectory calculations.

The product branching fractions and dissociation dynamics for the dissociation of CH5, CH2D3, CHD4, and CD5 have been experimentally measured following charge exchange of the parent cations with Cs. These results are compared with quasiclassical trajectory calculations run on an ab initio potential energy surface for CH5. In all cases it is found that dissociation channels involving the ejection of a single atom (H or D) are dominant. The statistically weighted branching fractions show that in the mixed isotopologs, ejection of a hydrogen atom is favored over a deuterium atom. The results are consistent with the fluxional nature of CH5(+) isotopologs--no evidence was found for quantum localization upon deuteration in the comparison of the experimental and theoretical branching fractions, possibly as a result of the vibrational temperature of the cations (estimated to be as high as 1660 K for high frequency modes). This comparison of experiment and theory provides a test of the CH5 potential energy surface at high levels of excitation.

H2 production from reactions between water and small molybdenum suboxide cluster anions.

Reactions between molybdenum suboxide cluster anions, Mo(x)O(y)(-) (x=1-4; y < or = 3x), and water (H(2)O and D(2)O) have been studied using mass spectrometric analysis of products formed in a high-pressure, fast-flow reactor. Product distributions vary with the number of metal atoms in the cluster. Within the MoO(y)(-) oxide series, product masses correspond to the addition of one water molecule, as well as a H/D exchange with MoO(4)H(-). Within the Mo(2)O(y)(-) oxide series, product evolution and distribution suggest sequential oxidation via Mo(2)O(y)(-)+H(2)O/D(2)O-->Mo(2)O(y+1)(-)+H(2)/D(2) reactions for y<5, while for Mo(2)O(5)(-), Mo(2)O(6)H(2)/D(2)(-) is produced. Mo(2)O(6)(-) does not appear to be reactive toward water. For the Mo(3)O(y)(-) oxide series, sequential oxidation similarly is suggested for y<5, while Mo(3)O(5)(-) reactions result in Mo(3)O(6)H(2)/D(2)(-) formation. Mo(3)O(6)(-) appears uniquely unreactive. Mo(3)O(7)(-) and Mo(3)O(8)(-) react to form Mo(3)O(8)H(2)/D(2)(-) and Mo(3)O(9)H(2)/D(2)(-), respectively. Lower mass resolution in the Mo(4)O(y)(-) mass range prevents unambiguous mass analysis, but intensity changes in the mass spectra do suggest that sequential oxidation with H(2)/D(2) evolution occurs for y<6, while Mo(4)O(y+1)H(2)/D(2)(-) addition products are formed in Mo(4)O(6)(-) and Mo(4)O(7)(-) reactions with water. The relative rate constants for sequential oxidation and H(2)O/D(2)O addition for the x=2 series were determined. There is no evidence of a kinetic isotope effect when comparing reaction rates of H(2)O with D(2)O, suggesting that the H(2) and D(2) losses from the lower-oxide/hydroxide intermediates are very fast relative to initial reaction complex formation with H(2)O or D(2)O. The rate constants determined here are two times higher than those determined in identical reactions between W(2)O(y)(-)+H(2)O/D(2)O.

Disparate product distributions observed in Mo((3-x))W(x)O(y) (-) (x=0-3; y=3-9) reactions with D(2)O and CO(2).

Results of gas phase reactivity studies on group six transition metal suboxide clusters, Mo(3)O(y) (-), Mo(2)WO(y) (-), MoW(2)O(y) (-), and W(3)O(y) (-) (Mo((3-x))W(x)O(y) (-), x=0-3; y=ca. 3-9) with both D(2)O and CO(2) are reported. Sequential oxidation for the more reduced species, Mo((3-x))W(x)O(y) (-)+D(2)O/CO(2)-->Mo((3-x))W(x)O(y+1) (-)+D(2)/CO, and dissociative addition for certain species, Mo((3-x))W(x)O(y) (-)+D(2)O/CO(2)-->Mo((3-x))W(x)O(y+1)D(2) (-)/Mo((3-x))W(x)O(y+1)CO(-), is evident in the product distributions observed in mass spectrometric measurements. Reactions with D(2)O proceed at a rate that is on the order of 10(2) higher than for CO(2). The pattern of reaction products reveals composition-dependent chemical properties of these group six unary and binary clusters. At the core of this variation is the difference in Mo-O and W-O bond energies, the latter of which is significantly higher. This results in a larger thermodynamic drive to higher oxidation states in clusters with more tungsten atoms. However, addition products for more oxidized W-rich clusters are not observed, while they are observed for the more Mo-rich clusters. This is attributed to the following: In the higher oxides (e.g., y=8), addition reactions require distortion of local metal-oxygen bonding, and will necessarily have higher activation barriers for W-O bonds, since the vibrational potentials will be narrower. The binary (x=1,2) clusters generally show sequential oxidation to higher values of y. This again is attributed to higher W-O bond energy, the result being that stable binary structures have W atoms in higher oxidation states, and Mo centers both in more reduced states and sterically unhindered. The reduced Mo center provides a locus of higher reactivity. An unusual result that is not readily explained is the chemically inert behavior of Mo(3)O(6) (-).

Three-body dissociative charge exchange dynamics of sym-triazine.

Translational spectroscopy and coincidence detection techniques have been employed to observe the three-body dissociation dynamics resulting from charge exchange between a fast molecular beam of the sym-triazine cation (C(3)N(3)H(3)(+)) and cesium. The energetics and momentum correlation between the three hydrogen cyanide products suggest that dissociation proceeds via two mechanisms that reflect the initial excited states in which sym-triazine is produced. Monte Carlo simulations support a stepwise mechanism resulting from initial excitation into the 3s Rydberg state. Excitation into the valence pi* <-- n manifold was found to proceed via a near-symmetric concerted mechanism, in agreement with recent theoretical studies on the dissociation of sym-triazine.

Two-body dissociative charge exchange dynamics of sym-triazine.

Translational spectroscopy coupled with coincidence detection techniques has been used to investigate the two-body dissociation of sym-triazine to HCN + (HCN)2 upon electronic excitation from charge exchange between the sym-triazine cation and cesium. This dissociation mechanism was determined to occur after excitation of sym-triazine into the 3s Rydberg electronic manifold, and the observed dynamics suggest that the mechanism competes with a stepwise three-body dissociation mechanism to three HCN products that occurs from this same electronic excitation. On the basis of reported stabilization energies of several isomers of the HCN dimer, possible structures of the metastable (HCN)2 species are discussed in light of the current measurements.