Multiply charged anions in the gas phase

Electron Loss and Dissociation Pathways of a Complex Dicarboxylate Dianion: EDTA2

Photoelectron imaging of the doubly deprotonated ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid dianion (EDTA2-) at variable wavelengths indicates two electron loss pathways: direct detachment and thermionic emission from monoanions. The structure of EDTA2- is also investigated by electronic structure calculations, which indicate that EDTA2- has two intramolecular hydrogen bonds linking a carboxylate and carboxylic acid group at either end of the molecular backbone. The direct detachment feature in the photoelectron spectrum is very broad and provides evidence for a dissociative photodetachment, where decarboxylation occurs rapidly after electron loss. Near 0 eV kinetic energy electrons are only observed in the photoelectron spectrum of EDTA2- at hν = 3.49 eV (high laser fluence), providing evidence for secondary electron loss via a two-photon process, mediated by an excited state of the decarboxylated anion, and likely resulting in a cyclic neutral product.

Dynamics of Anions: From Bound to Unbound States and Everything In Between

Gas-phase anions present an ideal playground for the exploration of excited-state dynamics. They offer control in terms of the mass, extent of solvation, internal temperature, and conformation. The application of a range of ion sources has opened the field to a vast array of anionic systems whose dynamics are important in areas ranging from biology to star formation. Here, we review recent experimental developments in the field of anion photodynamics, demonstrating the detailed insight into photodynamical and electron-capture processes that can be uncovered. We consider the electronic and nuclear ultrafast dynamics of electronically bound excited states along entire reaction coordinates; electronically unbound states showing that photochemical concepts, such as chromophores and Kasha's rule, are transferable to electron-driven chemistry; and nonvalence states that straddle the interface between bound and unbound states. Finally, we consider likely developments that are sure to keep the field of anion dynamics buoyant and impactful.

Metal-Centered Boron-Wheel Cluster of Y©B112- with Rare D11h Symmetry

Molecules with high point-group symmetry are interesting prototype species in the textbook. As transition metal-centered boron clusters tend to have highly symmetric structures to fulfill multicenter bonding and high stability, new boron clusters with rare point-group symmetry may be viable. Through in-depth scrutiny over the structures of experimentally already observed transition metal-centered boron-wheel complexes, geometric and electronic design principles are summarized, based on which we studied M©B11k- (M = Y, La; Zr, Hf; k = 1, 2) clusters and found that a Y©B112- boron-wheel complex has an unprecedented D11h point-group symmetry. The remarkable stability of the planar Y©B112- complex is illustrated via extensive global-minimum structural search as well as comprehensive chemical bonding analyses. Similar to other boron-wheel complexes, the Y©B112- complex is shown to possess σ and π double aromaticity, indeed following the electronic design principle previously summarized. This new compound is expected to be experimentally identified, which will extend the currently known largest possible planar molecular symmetry and enrich the metal-centered boron-wheel class.

Interaction of low-energy electrons with radiosensitizers

We provide an experimentalist's perspective on the present state-of-the-art in the studies of low-energy electron interactions with common radiosensitizers, including compounds used in combined chemo-radiation therapy and their model systems. Low-energy electrons are important secondary species formed during the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter. Their role in the radiation chemistry of living organisms has become an important topic for more than 20 years. With the increasing number of works and reviews in the field, we would like to focus here on a very narrow area of compounds that have been shown to have radio-sensitizing properties on the one hand, and high reactivity towards low-energy electrons on the other hand. Gas phase experiments studying electron attachment to isolated molecules and environmental effects on reaction dynamics are reviewed for modified DNA components, nitroimidazoles, and organometallics. In the end, we provide a perspective on the future directions that may be important for transferring the fundamental knowledge about the processes induced by low-energy electrons into practice in the field of rational design of agents for concomitant chemo-radiation therapy.

Stability and Cooling of the C_{7}^{2-} Dianion

We have studied the stability of the smallest long-lived all carbon molecular dianion (C_{7}^{2-}) in new time domains and with a single ion at a time using a cryogenic electrostatic ion-beam storage ring. We observe spontaneous electron emission from internally excited dianions on millisecond timescales and monitor the survival of single colder C_{7}^{2-} molecules on much longer timescales. We find that their intrinsic lifetime exceeds several minutes-6 orders of magnitude longer than established from earlier experiments on C_{7}^{2-}. This is consistent with our calculations of vertical electron detachment energies predicting one inherently stable isomer and one isomer which is stable or effectively stable behind a large Coulomb barrier for C_{7}^{2-}→C_{7}^{-}+e^{-} separation.

Beyond Duality: Rationalizing Repulsive Coulomb Barriers in Host-Guest Cyclodextrin-Dodecaborate Complexes

The repulsive Coulomb barrier (RCB), an intrinsic potential energy barrier along electron detachment or charge-separation coordinates in multiply charged anions (MCAs), provides dynamic stability to MCAs whose electronic and thermodynamic stabilities are largely dictated by strong internal Coulomb repulsions. Spectroscopic and theoretical characterizations of the RCB have been focused on isolated MCAs. In this work, we extend the RCB investigation beyond the previous scope by including noncovalent host-guest cyclodextrin-closo-dodecaborate dianionic complexes χCD·B₁₂X₁₂^2- (χ = α, β, γ; X = H, F-I). Photodechment photoelectron spectroscopy reveals the existence of two distinctly different RCBs, derived from detaching electrons from the guest dianions (RCB₁) or ionizing the host neutrals (RCB₂), respectively, with the latter being substantially smaller than the former. Theoretical calculations support the duality of RCBs in these complexes and further exhibit highly anisotropic nature of the RCBs.

Can anions possess bound doubly-excited electronic states?

Anions play an important role in many fields of chemistry. Many molecules possess stable anions, but these anions often do not have stable electronic excited states and the anion loses its excess electron once excited. All the known stable valence excited states of anions are singly-excited states, i.e., valence doubly-excited states have not been reported. As excited states are relevant for numerous applications, and constitute basic properties, we searched for valence doubly-excited states which are stable, i.e., exhibit energies below that of the ground state of the respective neutral molecule. We concentrated on two promising prototype candidates, the anions of the smallest endocircular carbon ring Li@C₁₂ and of the smallest endohedral fullerene Li@C₂₀. By employing accurate state-of-the-art many-electron quantum chemistry methods, we investigated the low-lying excited states of these anions and found that they possess several low-lying stable singly-excited states and, in particular, a stable doubly-excited state each. It is noteworthy that the found doubly-excited state of Li@C₁₂^- possesses a cumulenic carbon ring in sharp contrast to the ground and singly-excited states. The findings shed light on how to design anions with stable valence singly- and doubly-excited states. Possible applications are mentioned.

Kasha's Rule and Koopmans' Correlations for Electron Tunnelling through Repulsive Coulomb Barriers in a Polyanion

The long-range electronic structure of polyanions is defined by the repulsive Coulomb barrier (RCB). Excited states can decay by resonant electron tunnelling through RCBs, but such decay has not been observed for electronically excited states other than the first excited state, suggesting a Kasha-type rule for resonant electron tunnelling. Using action spectroscopy, photoelectron imaging, and computational chemistry, we show that the fluorescein dianion, Fl2-, partially decays through electron tunnelling from the S2 excited state, thus demonstrating anti-Kasha behavior, and that resonant electron tunnelling adheres to Koopmans' correlations, thus disentangling different channels.

Photoelectron Imaging Study of the Diplatinum Iodide Dianions [Pt2I6]2- and [Pt2I8]2

Photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to study the electronic structure, photodetachment, and photodissociation of the stable diplatinum iodide dianions [Pt₂I₆]^2– and [Pt₂I₈]^2–. Photoelectron spectra over a range of photon energies show the characteristic absence of low kinetic energy photoelectrons expected for dianions as a result of the repulsive Coulomb barrier (RCB). Vertical detachment energies of ∼1.6 and ∼1.9 eV and minimum RCBs of ∼1.2 and ∼1.3 eV are reported for [Pt₂I₆]^2– and [Pt₂I₈]^2–, respectively. Both of the diplatinum halides exhibit three direct detachment channels with distinct anisotropies, analogous to the previously reported spectra for PtI₂^– and PtI^–, suggesting a platinum-centered molecular core that dominates the photodetachment. Additionally, evidence for two-photon photodissociation and subsequent photodetachment channels producing I^– are observed for both dianions. Finally, an unexplained feature is observed at photon energies around 3 eV, whose origin is considered. Our work highlights the complex electronic structure of the heavy platinum-halide dianions that are characterized by a dense manifold of electronic states.

Theory of electronic resonances: fundamental aspects and recent advances

Electronic resonances are states that are unstable towards loss of electrons. They play critical roles in high-energy environments across chemistry, physics, and biology but are also relevant to processes under ambient conditions that involve unbound electrons. This feature article focuses on complex-variable techniques such as complex scaling and complex absorbing potentials that afford a treatment of electronic resonances in terms of discrete square-integrable eigenstates of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians with complex energy. Fundamental aspects of these techniques as well as their integration into molecular electronic-structure theory are discussed and an overview of some recent developments is given: analytic gradient theory for electronic resonances, the application of rank-reduction techniques and quantum embedding to them, as well as approaches for evaluating partial decay widths.

Isolated [B2(CN)6]2-: Small Yet Exceptionally Stable Nonmetal Dianion

We report the observation of a small, yet remarkably stable, metal-free hexacyanodiborate dianion [B₂(CN)₆]^2- in the gas phase. Negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy (NIPES) was employed to measure its spectra at multiple laser wavelengths, yielding a 1.9 eV electron binding energy (EBE) ─a remarkably high value of electronic stability and a ∼2.60 eV repulsive Coulomb barrier (RCB) for electron detachment. This rationalizes the observation of this dianion, although homolytic charge-separation dissociation into two [B(CN)₃]^•- is energetically favorable. Quantum chemical calculations demonstrate a D_3d staggered conformation for both the dianion and radical monoanion, and the calculated EBE and RCB match the experimental values well. The simulated density of states spectrum reproduces all measured electronic transitions, while the simulated vibrational progressions for the ground state transition cover a much narrower EBE range compared to the experimental band, indicating appreciable auto-photodetachment via electronically excited dianion resonances.

Photoelectron spectroscopy of the protoporphyrin IX dianion

Two-dimensional photoelectron spectroscopy using nanosecond and femtosecond lasers has been used to study the protopophyrin IX dianion at photon energies between 1.8-4.1 eV. The photoelectron spectra indicated the presence of two direct detachment channels, tunnelling through the repulsive Coulomb barrier (RCB) and thermionic emission from monoanions. A direct detachment feature suggested a near 0 eV electron affinity, which may be attributable to the repulsive through space interaction of the unshielded carboxylate groups. The minimum height of the repulsive Coulomb barrier (RCB) was found to be between 1.4-1.9 eV. Adiabatic tunnelling through the RCB was seen to occur on a timescale faster than rotational dephasing of the molecule. The observation of thermionic emission below the RCB in the nanosecond spectra originated from monoanions, which were produced via photon-cycling of the dianion.

Simulation of Negative Ion Photoelectron Spectroscopy Using a Nuclear Ensemble Approach: Implications from a Nuclear Vibration Effect

The negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy (NIPES) has been proven to be a powerful technique to reveal the electronic structures and spectroscopic properties of various cluster anions/radicals with very high precision. However, direct comparisons of the theoretical NIPES with experimental measurements remain challenging. Particularly the nuclear vibration effect and the ionization probability are typically ignored in reproducing NIPES. In this work, the NIPES of three representative anions (NaS₅^-, P₂N₃^-, and HCPN₃^-) with significantly different spectral features were simulated by combining the nuclear ensemble approach (NEA) and Dyson orbitals (DOs). Overall, the simulated NIPES are in good agreement with the experimentally determined ones, confirming the robustness of such a strategy. The analysis of frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) and DOs further suggests the similar mixed characters for the first ionized doublet (D₀) and adjacent D₁ states of NaS₅^- with distributions on the side sulfur atoms. And the D₀ of P₂N₃* is confirmed as the lowest energy σ radical state; however, the D₀ of HCPN₃* should possess a mixture of π and σ electrons by taking into account the nuclear vibration effect. Next, the broader vibrational distribution and stronger main vibration modes of P₂N₃^- and HCPN₃^- explain why the nuclear vibration possesses a more pronounced influence in reproducing their NIPES while it has little effect on NaS₅^-. Last, the limitations based on the double-harmonic approximation model and density of state method were also discussed, highlighting that the ionization probability and orbital relaxation effect during the ionization process should be reasonably considered.

Measuring Electronic Structure of Multiply Charged Anions to Understand Their Chemistry: A Case Study on Gaseous Polyhedral closo-Borate Dianions

Research on multiply charged anions (MCAs) in the gas phase has been intensively performed during the past decades, mainly to understand fundamental molecular physics phenomena, for example, intramolecular Coulomb repulsion and existence of the repulsive Coulomb barrier. However, the relevance of these investigations with respect to understanding MCAs' chemistry appears often vague. Here, we discuss how insights into the electronic structure obtained from negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy (NIPES) combined with theoretical calculations and collision-induced dissociation can provide a fundamental understanding of the intrinsic chemical reactivity of MCAs and their fragments. This is exemplified in our studies on polyhedral closo-borate dianions [B_nX_n]^2- (n = 6, 10, 11, 12; X = H, F-I, CN) and their fragment ions. For example, the rational design of closo-borate dianions with specific electronic properties is described, which leads to generating highly reactive fragments. Depending on the dianionic precursor, these fragments are tuned to either bind noble gases effectively or activate small molecules like CO and N₂. The intrinsic electronic properties of closo-borate dianions are further compared to their electrochemistry in solutions, revealing solvent effects on the redox potentials. Neutral host molecules such as cyclodextrins are found to bind strongly to [B_nX_n]^2-, and gas phase NIPES provides insights into the intrinsic host-guest interactions. Finally, outlooks including the direct NIPES of molecular fragment ions that cannot be generated in the condensed phase and their utilization in preparative mass spectrometry are discussed.

Super-electrophiles of tri- and tetra-anions stabilized by selected terminal groups and their role in binding noble gas atoms

Stabilization of multiply-charged atomic clusters in the gas phase has been a topic of great interest not only because of their potential applications as weakly-coordinating anions, but also for their ability to promote unusual reactions and serve as building blocks of materials. Recent experiments have shown that, after removing one terminal ligand from the closo-dodecacyano-borate, B12(CN)122-, the cluster can strongly bind an argon atom at room temperature. Bearing this in mind, here, we have developed more than a dozen highly stable tri- and tetra-anions using density functional theory (DFT) calculations with hybrid functional (B3LYP) and semi-empirical dispersion corrections. The interactions between the clusters and noble gas atoms, including Ne, Ar and Kr, are studied. The resulting super-electrophilic sites embedded in these charged clusters can bind noble gas atoms with binding energies up to 0.7 eV. This study enriches the database of highly-charged clusters and provides a viable design rule for super-electrophiles that can strongly bind noble gas atoms.

Intermediate state representation approach to physical properties of molecular electron-attached states: Theory, implementation, and benchmarking

Computational schemes for comprehensive studies of molecular electron-attached states and the calculation of electron affinities (EAs) are formulated and implemented employing the intermediate state representation (ISR) formalism and the algebraic-diagrammatic construction approximation for the electron propagator (EA-ADC). These EA-ADC(n)/ISR(m) schemes allow for a consistent treatment of not only electron affinities and pole strengths up to third-order of perturbation theory (n = 3) but also one-electron properties of electron-attached states up to second order (m = 2). The EA-ADC/ISR equations were implemented in the Q-Chem program for Ŝ_z-adapted intermediate states, allowing also open-shell systems to be studied using unrestricted Hartree-Fock references. For benchmarking of the EA-(U)ADC/ISR schemes, EAs and dipole moments of various electron-attached states of small closed- and open-shell molecules were computed and compared to full configuration interaction data. As an illustrative example, EA-ADC(3)/ISR(2) has been applied to the thymine-thymine (6-4) DNA photolesion.

Ultrafast Dynamics of the Isolated Adenosine-5'-triphosphate Dianion Probed by Time-Resolved Photoelectron Imaging

The excited state dynamics of the doubly deprotonated dianion of adenosine-5'-triphosphate, [ATP-H₂]^2-, has been spectroscopically explored by time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy following excitation at 4.66 eV. Time-resolved photoelectron spectra show that two competing processes occur for the initially populated ¹ππ* state. The first is rapid electron emission by tunneling through a repulsive Coulomb barrier as the ¹ππ* state is a resonance. The second is nuclear motion on the ¹ππ* state surface leading to an intermediate that no longer tunnels and subsequently decays by internal conversion to the ground electronic state. The spectral signatures of the features are similar to those observed for other adenine-derivatives, suggesting that this nucleobase is quite insensitive to the nearby negative charges localized on the phosphates, except of course for the appearance of the additional electron tunneling channel, which is open in the dianion.

Site-Specific Photo-oxidation of the Isolated Adenosine-5'-triphosphate Dianion Determined by Photoelectron Imaging

Photoelectron imaging of the isolated adenosine-5'-triphosphate dianion excited to the ¹ππ* states reveals that electron emission is predominantly parallel to the polarization axis of the light and arises from subpicosecond electron tunneling through the repulsive Coulomb barrier (RCB). The computed RCB shows that the most probable electron emission site is on the amino group of adenine. This is consistent with the photoelectron imaging: excitation to the ¹ππ* states leads to an aligned ensemble distributed predominantly parallel to the long axis of adenine; the subsequent electron tunneling site is along this axis; and the negatively charged phosphate groups guide the outgoing electron mostly along this axis at long range. Imaging of electron tunneling from polyanions combined with computational chemistry may offer a general route for probing the intrinsic photo-oxidation site and dynamics as well as the overall structure of complex isolated species.

Nonadiabatic dynamics in multidimensional complex potential energy surfaces

Despite the continuous development of theoretical methodologies for describing nonadiabatic dynamics of molecular systems, there is a lack of approaches for processes where the norm of the wave function is not conserved, i.e., when an imaginary potential accounts for some irreversible decaying mechanism. Current approaches rely on building potential energy surfaces of reduced dimensionality, which is not optimal for more involving and realistic multidimensional problems. Here, we present a novel methodology for describing the dynamics of complex-valued molecular Hamiltonians, which is a generalisation of the trajectory surface hopping method. As a first application, the complex surface fewest switches surface hopping (CS-FSSH) method was employed to survey the relaxation mechanisms of the shape resonant anions of iodoethene. We have provided the first detailed and dynamical picture of the π*/σ* mechanism of dissociative electron attachment in halogenated unsaturated compounds, which is believed to underlie electron-induced reactions of several molecules of interest. Electron capture into the π* orbital promotes C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> C stretching and out-of-plane vibrations, followed by charge transfer from the double bond into the σ* orbital at the C–I bond, and, finally, release of the iodine ion, all within only 15 fs. On-the-fly dynamics simulations of a vast class of processes can be envisioned with the CS-FSSH methodology, including autoionisation from transient anions, core-ionised and superexcited states, Auger and interatomic coulombic decay, and time-dependent luminescence.

Despite the continuous development of methods for describing nonadiabatic dynamics, there is a lack of multidimensional approaches for processes where the wave function norm is not conserved. A new surface hopping variant closes this knowledge gap.

Simulations of the Oxidation and Degradation of Platinum Electrocatalysts

Improved understanding of the fundamental processes leading to degradation of platinum nanoparticle electrocatalysts is essential to the continued advancement of their catalytic activity and stability. To this end, the oxidation of platinum nanoparticles is simulated using a ReaxFF reactive force field within a grand-canonical Monte Carlo scheme. 2-4 nm cuboctahedral particles serve as model systems, for which electrochemical potential-dependent phase diagrams are constructed from the thermodynamically most stable oxide structures, including solvation and thermochemical contributions. Calculations in this study suggest that surface oxide structures should become thermodynamically stable at voltages around 0.80-0.85 V versus standard hydrogen electrode, which corresponds to typical fuel cell operating conditions. The potential presence of a surface oxide during catalysis is usually not accounted for in theoretical studies of Pt electrocatalysts. Beyond 1.1 V, fragmentation of the catalyst particles into [Pt₆ O₈ ]^4- clusters is observed. Density functional theory calculations confirm that [Pt₆ O₈ ]^4- is indeed stable and hydrophilic. These results suggest that the formation of [Pt₆ O₈ ]^4- may play an important role in platinum catalyst degradation as well as the electromotoric transport of Pt^2+/4+ ions in fuel cells.

Unprecedented stability enhancement of multiply charged anions through decoration with negative electron affinity noble gases

The present communication reports unprecedented stabilization of multiply charged anion, B12F122-, through insertion of noble gas (Ng) atoms possessing negative electron affinity into B-F bonds, resulting in the formation of stable icosahedral B12Ng12F122-, where the HOMO is stabilized significantly and the binding energy of the second excess electron is increased remarkably. Unprecedented stability enhancement with Ng is attributed to a strong covalent B-Ng bond, increased charge delocalization and increased electrostatic interaction between the oppositely charged centers.

Record-high stability and compactness of multiply-charged clusters aided by selected terminal groups

Multiply-charged clusters with compact sizes that are stable in the gas phase are important due to their potential applications as weakly-coordinating ions and building blocks of bulk materials.

Ligand stabilization of manganocene dianions - in defiance of the 18-electron rule

Manganocene [Mn(C5H5)2], a 17-electron system, is expected to have a high electron affinity, as addition of an extra electron would make it a closed-shell 18-electron system. Surprisingly, it has a very low electron affinity of only 0.28 eV. Combined with its high ionization potential of around 7.0 eV, manganocene, therefore, should not be eager to either donate or accept an electron. We show that this property can be fundamentally altered with the proper choice of ligands, even though the total electron count remains the same. For example, the electron affinities of manganocene-derivatives Mn[C5(CN)5]2 and Mn[C5(BO)5]2, created by replacing H with CN or BO, are found to be 4.78 eV and 4.85 eV, respectively, making these species superhalogens. The power of the ligands is further demonstrated by studying the stability of their di-anions. Note that [Mn(C5X5)2]2- (X = H, CN, BO) di-anions, with 19-electrons, have one electron more than necessary to satisfy the 18-electron rule for stability. This factor, combined with the unavoidable repulsion between the two extra electrons, should destabilize [Mn(C5X5)2]2-. While that is the case for [Mn(C5H5)2]2-, we show that both Mn[C5(CN)5]22- and Mn[C5(BO)5]22- are stable against auto-detachment of the second electron by 0.7 eV and 0.38 eV, respectively. These results, based on first-principles calculations, demonstrate that ligand-manipulation can be used as an effective strategy to design and synthesize new materials with novel and tailored properties.

Electronic structures and binding motifs of sodium polysulfide clusters NaSn - (n = 5-9): A joint negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy and computational investigation

We report a joint experimental and computational study on the electronic and geometric structures of a series of NaS_n ^- (n = 5-9) clusters. Cryogenic, size-selective, negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy was employed to obtain their photoelectron spectra, in which distinctive spectral features with electron binding energy (EBE) up to 6.4 eV are unraveled. The EBE of the first peak in each spectrum for NaS_n ^- (n = 5-9), assigned to the transition from the ground state of the anion to the ground state of each neutral radical, was observed to increase with cluster size. The vertical detachment energies (VDEs), measured from the first peak maximum, are 3.43 ± 0.02, 3.57 ± 0.02, 3.82 ± 0.03, 3.86 ± 0.02, and 4.00 ± 0.02 eV, and the adiabatic detachment energies (ADEs), determined from the onset of the first peak, are 3.27 ± 0.05, 3.44 ± 0.05, 3.65 ± 0.05, 3.75 ± 0.05, and 3.93 ± 0.05 eV, for n = 5-9, respectively. A number of low-lying isomers of the anions were screened and identified with density functional theory calculations, showing a structural preference of a chainlike polysulfide moiety electrostatically interacting with a sodium cation for all of the clusters. The CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ calculated VDEs and ADEs are in excellent agreement with the experimental results, confirming the identified isomers. Further analyses based on excited-state transitions, molecular orbitals, and natural population charges were performed, to assign and reveal the nature of all observed spectral bands. These computational results suggest that the electron detachment process and observed excitations are mainly derived from the polysulfide chain within each NaS_n ^- cluster. This work provides a fundamental understanding of the intrinsic molecular properties of sodium polysulfide systems, which widely exist in life science and sodium-sulfur cells.

Rational design of an argon-binding superelectrophilic anion

Chemically binding to argon (Ar) at room temperature has remained the privilege of the most reactive electrophiles, all of which are cationic (or even dicationic) in nature. Herein, we report a concept for the rational design of anionic superelectrophiles that are composed of a strong electrophilic center firmly embedded in a negatively charged framework of exceptional stability. To validate our concept, we synthesized the percyano-dodecoborate [B₁₂(CN)₁₂]^2-, the electronically most stable dianion ever investigated experimentally. It serves as a precursor for the generation of the monoanion [B₁₂(CN)₁₁]^-, which indeed spontaneously binds Ar at 298 K. Our mass spectrometric and spectroscopic studies are accompanied by high-level computational investigations including a bonding analysis of the exceptional B-Ar bond. The detection and characterization of this highly reactive, structurally stable anionic superelectrophile starts another chapter in the metal-free activation of particularly inert compounds and elements.

EOM-CC guide to Fock-space travel: the C2 edition

Electronic structure calculations for C₂, C₂⁻, and C₂²⁻ using the CC/EOM-CC family of methods. Results illustrate that EOM-CCSD provides an attractive alternative to MR approaches.

Properties of perhalogenated {closo-B10} and {closo-B11} multiply charged anions and a critical comparison with {closo-B12} in the gas and the condensed phase

Dependence of electronic properties and reactivity of closo-borates with size and halogen substituent was investigated.

Probing the Structural and Electronic Properties of Dirhenium Halide Clusters: A Density Functional Theory Study

Dirhenium halide dianions received considerable attention in past decades due to the unusual metal-metal quadruple bond. The systematic structural evolution of dirhenium halide clusters has not been sufficiently studied and hence is not well-understood. In this work, we report an in-depth investigation on the structures and electronic properties of doubly charged dirhenium halide clusters Re₂X₈^2- (X = F, Cl, Br, I). Our computational efforts rely on the well-tested unbiased CALYPSO (Crystal structure AnaLYsis by Particle Swarm Optimization) method combined with density functional theory calculations. We find that all ground-state Re₂X₈^2- clusters have cube-like structures of D_4h symmetry with two Re atoms encapsulated in halogen framework. The reasonable agreement between the simulated and experimental photoelectron spectrum of the Re₂Cl₈^2- cluster supports strongly the reliability of our computational strategy. The chemical bonding analysis reveals that the δ bond is the pivotal factor for the ground-state Re₂X₈^2- (X = F, Cl, Br, I) clusters to maintain D_4h symmetric cube-like structures, and the enhanced stability of Re₂Cl₈^2- is mainly attributed to the chemical bonding of 5d orbital of Re atoms and 3p orbital of Cl atoms.

Carbonate and carbonate anion radicals in aqueous solutions exist as CO3(H2O)62− and CO3(H2O)6˙− respectively: the crucial role of the inner hydration sphere of anions in explaining their properties

An effort to reproduce the physical properties of CO₃²⁻ and CO₃˙⁻ in water proves that one has to include an inner hydration sphere of six water molecules for both anions.

A detailed-balance model for thermionic emission from polyanions: The case of fullerene dianions

A detailed-balance model for thermionic emission from polyanions has been developed and applied to fullerene dianions. The specificity of this delayed decay process is electron tunneling through the repulsive Coulomb barrier (RCB). An analytical expression of the RCB is derived from electrostatic modeling of the fullerene cage. The reverse process, namely, electron attachment to the singly charged anion, is described by a hard sphere cross section weighted by the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin tunneling probability. This simple expression leads to a very good agreement with a measured time-resolved kinetic energy distribution of C₈₄^2-. Electron binding energy is reduced when the fullerene cage size decreases, leading to an almost zero one for C₇₀^2- and a negative one for C₆₀^2-. Extension of the model to these systems of interest is discussed, and model outputs are compared with the experimental data from the literature.

Cluster Model Studies of Anion and Molecular Specificities via Electrospray Ionization Photoelectron Spectroscopy

Ion specificity, a widely observed macroscopic phenomenon in condensed phases and at interfaces, is a fundamental chemical physics issue. Herein we report our recent studies of such effects using cluster models in an "atom-by-atom" and "molecule-by-molecule" fashion not possible with the condensed-phase methods. We use electrospray ionization (ESI) to generate molecular and ionic clusters to simulate key molecular entities involved in local binding regions and characterize them by employing negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy (NIPES). Inter- and intramolecular interactions and binding configurations are directly obtained as functions of the cluster size and composition, providing molecular-level descriptions and characterization over the local active sites that play crucial roles in determining the solution chemistry and condensed-phase phenomena. The topics covered in this article are relevant to a wide range of research fields from ion specific effects in electrolyte solutions, ion selectivity/recognition in normal functioning of life, to molecular specificity in aerosol particle formation, as well as in rational material design and synthesis.

Single-Photon, Double Photodetachment of Nickel Phthalocyanine Tetrasulfonic Acid 4- Anions

Single-photon, two-electron photodetachment from nickel phthalocyanine tetrasulfonic acid tetra anions, [NiPc](4-), was examined in the gas-phase using a linear ion trap coupled to the DESIRS VUV beamline of the SOLEIL Synchrotron. This system was chosen since it has a low detachment energy, known charge localization, and well-defined geometrical and electronic structures. A threshold for two-electron loss is observed at 10.2 eV, around 1 eV lower than previously observed double detachment thresholds on multiple charged protein anions. The photodetachment energy of [NiPc](4-) has been previously determined to be 3.5 eV and the photodetachment energy of [NiPc](3-•) is determined in this work to be 4.3 eV. The observed single photon double electron detachment threshold is hence 5.9 eV higher than the energy required for sequential single electron loss. Possible mechanisms are for double photodetachment are discussed. These observations pave the way toward new, exciting experiments for probing double photodetachment at relatively low energies, including correlation measurements on emitted photoelectrons.

Evidence for an intrinsic binding force between dodecaborate dianions and receptors with hydrophobic binding pockets

A gas phase binding study revealed strong intrinsic intermolecular interactions between dianionic halogenated closo-dodecaborates [B12X12](2-) and several neutral organic receptors. Oxidation of a tetrathiafulvalene host allowed switching between two host-guest binding modes in a supramolecular complex. Complexes of β-cyclodextrin with [B12F12](2-) show remarkable stability in the gas phase and were successfully tested as carriers for the delivery of boron clusters into cancer cells.

An instrument combining an electrospray ionization source and a velocity-map imaging spectrometer for studying delayed electron emission of polyanions

An instrument combining an electrospray ionization source and a velocity-map imaging (VMI) spectrometer has been developed in order to study the delayed electron emission of molecular anions and especially of polyanions. It operates at a high repetition rate (kHz) in order to increase the acquisition speed. The VMI spectrometer has been upgraded for nanosecond time resolution by gating the voltages applied on the position-sensitive detector. Kinetic energy release distribution of thermionic emission (without any contribution from direct detachment) can be recorded for well-defined delays after the nanosecond laser excitation. The capability of the instrument is demonstrated by recording photodetachment spectra of the benchmark C60(-) anion and C84(2-) dianion.

Protic anions [H(B12X12)]- (X = F, Cl, Br, I) that act as Brønsted acids in the gas phase

The acidity of protic cations and neutral molecules has been studied extensively in the gas phase, and the gas-phase acidity has been established previously as a very useful measure of the intrinsic acidity of neutral and cationic compounds. However, no data for any anionic acids were available prior to this study. The protic anions [H(B12X12)](-) (X = F, Cl, Br, I) are expected to be the most acidic anions known to date. Therefore, they were investigated in this study with respect to their ability to protonate neutral molecules in the gas phase by using a combination of mass spectrometry and quantum-chemical calculations. For the first time it was shown that in the gas phase protic anions are also able to protonate neutral molecules and thus act as Brønsted acids. According to theoretical calculations, [H(B12I12)](-) is the most acidic gas-phase anion, whereas in actual protonation experiments [H(B12Cl12)](-) is the most potent gas-phase acidic anion for the protonation of neutral molecules. This discrepancy is explained by ion pairing and kinetic effects.