Towards a spectroscopic and theoretical identification of the isolated building blocks of the benzene-acetylene cocrystal.

Isomer- and mass-selective UV and IR-UV double resonance spectra of the BA3, B2A, and B2A2 clusters of benzene (B) and acetylene (A) are presented. Cluster structures are assigned by comparison with the UV and IR spectra of benzene, the benzene dimer, as well as the BA, BA2, and B2A clusters. The intermolecular vibrations of BA are identified by dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy. Assignment of the cluster structures is supported by quantum chemical calculations of IR spectra with spin-component scaled second-order Møller-Plesset (SCS-MP2) theory. Initial propositions for various structures of the BA3 and B2A2 aggregates are generated with model potentials based on density functional theory combined with the symmetry-adapted perturbation theory (DFT-SAPT) approach. Shape and relative cluster stabilities are then confirmed with SCS-MP2. T-shaped geometries are the dominant structural motifs. Higher-energy isomers are also observed. The detected cluster structures are correlated with possible cluster formation pathways and their role as crystallization seeds is discussed.

Electronic and vibrational spectroscopy of 1-methylthymine and its water clusters: the dark state survives hydration.

Electronic and vibrational gas phase spectra of 1-methylthymine (1MT) and 1-methyluracil (1MU) and their clusters with water are presented. Mass selective IR/UV double resonance spectra confirm the formation of pyrimidine-water clusters and are compared to calculated vibrational spectra obtained from ab initio calculations. In contrast to Y. He, C. Wu, W. Kong; J. Phys. Chem. A, 2004, 108, 94 we are able to detect 1MT/1MU and their water clusters via resonant two-photon delayed ionization under careful control of the applied water-vapor pressure. The long-living dark electronic state of 1MT and 1MU detected by delayed ionization, survives hydration and the photostability of 1MT/1MU cannot be attributed solely to hydration. Oxygen coexpansions and crossed-beam experiments indicate that the triplet state population is probably small compared to the (1)n pi* and/or hot electronic ground state population. Ab initio theory shows that solvation of 1MT by water does not lead to a substantial modification of the electronic relaxation and quenching of the (1)n pi* state. Relaxation pathways via (1)pi pi*(1)-n pi*(1) and (1)pi pi*-S(0) conical intersections and barriers have been identified, but are not significantly altered by hydration.