IRPD spectroscopy and ensemble measurements: effects of different data acquisition and analysis methods

Three different commonly used infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectroscopy acquisition and analysis methods are described, and results from these methods are compared using the same dataset for an extensively hydrated metal cation, La(3+)(H(2)O)(36). Using the first-order laser-induced photodissociation rate constant as an IRPD intensity has several advantages over photodissociation yield and depletion/appearance methods in that intensities can be more directly compared with calculated infrared absorption spectra, and the intensities can be readily corrected for changes in laser power or irradiation times used for optimum data acquisition at each frequency. Extending IRPD spectroscopy to large clusters can be complicated when blackbody infrared radiative dissociation competes strongly with laser-induced photodissociation. A new method to obtain IRPD spectra of single precursor ions or ensembles of precursor ions that is nearly equivalent to the photodissociation rate constant method for single precursor ions is demonstrated. The ensemble IRPD spectra represent the "average" structure of clusters of a given size range, and this method has the advantage that spectra with improved signal-to-noise ratios can be obtained with no increase in data acquisition time. Results using this new method for a precursor ensemble consisting of La(3+)(H(2)O)(35-37) are compared with results for La(3+)(H(2)O)(36).

Gas phase structure of micro-hydrated [Mn(ClO4)]+ and [Mn2(ClO4)3]+ ions probed by infrared spectroscopy

Gas-phase infrared photodissociation spectroscopy is reported for the microsolvated [Mn(ClO(4))(H(2)O)(n)](+) and [Mn(2)(ClO(4))(3)(H(2)O)(n)](+) complexes from n = 2 to 5. Electrosprayed ions are isolated in an ion-trap where they are photodissociated. The 2600-3800 cm(-1) spectral region associated with the OH stretching mode is scanned with a relatively low-power infrared table-top laser, which is used in combination with a CO(2) laser to enhance the photofragmentation yield of these strongly bound ions. Hydrogen bonding is evidenced by a relatively broad band red-shifted from the free OH region. Band assignment based on quantum chemical calculations suggest that there is formation of water-perchlorate hydrogen bond within the first coordination shell of high-spin Mn(II). Although the observed spectral features are also compatible with the formation of structures with double-acceptor water in the second shell, these structures are found relatively high in energy compared with structures with all water directly bound to manganese. Using the highly intense IR beam of the free electron laser CLIO in the 800-1700 cm(-1), we were also able to characterize the coordination mode (eta(2)) of perchlorate for two clusters. The comparison of experimental and calculated spectra suggests that the perchlorate Cl-O stretches are unexpectedly underestimated at the B3LYP level, while they are correctly described at the MP2 level allowing for spectral assignment.

Infrared spectroscopy and structures of manganese carbonyl cations, Mn(CO)n+ (n = 1-9)

Manganese carbonyl cations of the form Mn(CO)(n)(+) (n = 1-9) are produced in a molecular beam by laser vaporization in a pulsed nozzle source. Mass selected infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the carbonyl stretching region is used to study these complexes and their "argon-tagged" analogues. The geometries and electronic states of these complexes are determined by comparing their infrared spectra to theoretical predictions. Mn(CO)(6)(+) has a completed coordination sphere, consistent with its predicted 18-electron stability. It has an octahedral structure in its singlet ground state, similar to its isoelectronic analogue Cr(CO)(6). Charge-induced reduction in pi back-bonding leads to a decreased red-shift in Mn(CO)(6)(+) (upsilon(CO) = 2106 cm(-1)) compared with Cr(CO)(6) (upsilon(CO) = 2003 cm(-1)). The spin multiplicity of Mn(+)(CO)(n) complexes gradually decreases with progressive ligand addition. MnCO(+) is observed as both a quintet and a septet, Mn(CO)(2)(+) is observed only as a quintet, while Mn(CO)(3,4)(+) are both observed as triplets. Mn(CO)(5)(+) and Mn(CO)(6)(+) are both singlets, as are all larger complexes.

Infrared consequence spectroscopy of gaseous protonated and metal ion cationized complexes

In this article, the new and exciting techniques of infrared consequence spectroscopy (sometimes called action spectroscopy) of gaseous ions are reviewed. These techniques include vibrational predissociation spectroscopy and infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy and they typically complement one another in the systems studied and the information gained. In recent years infrared consequence spectroscopy has provided long-awaited direct evidence into the structures of gaseous ions from organometallic species to strong ionic hydrogen bonded structures to large biomolecules. Much is being learned with respect to the structures of ions without their stabilizing solvent which can be used to better understand the effect of solvent on their structures. This review mainly covers the topics with which the author has been directly involved in research: structures of proton-bound dimers, protonated amino acids and DNA bases, amino acid and DNA bases bound to metal ions and, more recently, solvated ionic complexes. It is hoped that this review reveals the impact that infrared consequence spectroscopy has had on the field of gaseous ion chemistry.

Infrared spectroscopy of Cr+(H2O) and Cr2+(H2O): the role of charge in cation hydration

Singly and doubly charged chromium-water ion-molecule complexes are produced by laser vaporization in a pulsed-nozzle cluster source. These species are detected and mass-selected in a specially designed time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Vibrational spectroscopy is measured for these complexes in the O-H stretching region using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and the method of rare gas atom predissociation. Infrared excitation is not able to break the ion-water bonds in these systems, but it leads to elimination of argon, providing an efficient mechanism for detecting the spectrum. The O-H stretches for both singly and doubly charged complexes are shifted to frequencies lower than those for the free water molecule, and the intensity of the symmetric stretch band is strongly enhanced relative to the asymmetric stretch. Partially resolved rotational structure for both complexes shows that the H-O-H bond angle is greater than it is in the free water molecule. These polarization-induced effects are enhanced in the doubly charged ion relative to its singly charged analog.

Infrared spectroscopy of organometallic ions in the gas phase: from model to real world complexes

Gas phase mid-infrared spectroscopy of molecular ions can nowadays be performed with high performance mass spectrometers coupled to free electron lasers (FEL). The wide and continuous tunability of highly intense FELs in the mid-infrared region can be exploited for performing infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy of molecular ions. This review will focus on gas phase IRMPD spectroscopic investigations aiming at probing the structure and the reactivity of transition metal complexes. The performance of infrared spectroscopy for characterizing the coordination mode of polydentate ligands and the spin state of the metal will be illustrated. Infrared spectroscopy has also been exploited to probe the reactivity of metal complexes, and a special attention will be given to the infrared spectroscopy of reactive intermediates.

Infrared Photodissociation Spectroscopy of Al+(CH3OH)n (n = 1−4)

Infrared photodissociation spectra of Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(n) (n = 1-4) and Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(n)-Ar (n = 1-3) were measured in the OH stretching region, 3000-3800 cm(-1). For n = 1 and 2, sharp absorption bands were observed in the free OH stretching region, all of which were well reproduced by the spectra calculated for the solvated-type geometry with no hydrogen bond. For n = 3 and 4, there were broad vibrational bands in the energy region of hydrogen-bonded OH stretching vibrations, 3000-3500 cm(-1). Energies of possible isomers for the Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(3),4 ions with hydrogen bonds were calculated in order to assign these bands. It was found that the third and fourth methanol molecules form hydrogen bonds with methanol molecules in the first solvation shell, rather than a direct bonding with the Al(+) ion. For the Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(n) clusters with n = 1-4, we obtained no evidence of the insertion reaction, which occurs in Al(+)(H(2)O)(n). One possible explanation of the difference between these two systems is that the potential energy barriers between the solvated and inserted isomers in the Al(+)(CH(3)OH)(n) system is too high to form the inserted-type isomers.

Infrared spectrum of NH4+(H2O): Evidence for mode specific fragmentation

The gas phase infrared spectrum (3250-3810 cm-1) of the singly hydrated ammonium ion, NH4+(H2O), has been recorded by action spectroscopy of mass selected and isolated ions. The four bands obtained are assigned to N-H stretching modes and to O-H stretching modes. The N-H stretching modes observed are blueshifted with respect to the corresponding modes of the free NH4+ ion, whereas a redshift is observed with respect to the modes of the free NH3 molecule. The O-H stretching modes observed are redshifted when compared to the free H2O molecule. The asymmetric stretching modes give rise to rotationally resolved perpendicular transitions. The K-type equidistant rotational spacings of 11.1(2) cm-1 (NH4+) and 29(3) cm-1 (H2O) deviate systematically from the corresponding values of the free molecules, a fact which is rationalized in terms of a symmetric top analysis. The relative band intensities recorded compare favorably with predictions of high level ab initio calculations, except on the nu3(H2O) band for which the observed value is about 20 times weaker than the calculated one. The nu3(H2O)/nu1(H2O) intensity ratios from other published action spectra in other cationic complexes vary such that the nu3(H2O) intensities become smaller the stronger the complexes are bound. The recorded ratios vary, in particular, among the data collected from action spectra that were recorded with and without rare gas tagging. The calculated anharmonic coupling constants in NH4+(H2O) further suggest that the coupling of the nu3(H2O) and nu1(H2O) modes to other cluster modes indeed varies by orders of magnitude. These findings together render a picture of a mode specific fragmentation dynamic that modulates band intensities in action spectra with respect to absorption spectra. Additional high level electronic structure calculations at the coupled-cluster singles and doubles with a perturbative treatment of triple excitations [CCSD(T)] level of theory with large basis sets allow for the determination of an accurate binding energy and enthalpy of the NH4+(H2O) cluster. The authors' extrapolated values at the CCSD(T) complete basis set limit are De [NH4+-(H2O)]=-85.40(+/-0.24) kJ/mol and DeltaH(298 K) [NH4+-(H2O)]=-78.3(+/-0.3) kJ/mol (CC2), in which double standard deviations are indicated in parentheses.

Characterizing the intrinsic stability of gas-phase clusters of transition metal complex dianions with alkali metal counterions: Counterion perturbation of multiply charged anions

The authors report the gas-phase generation and characterization of a series of cation-dianion clusters, e.g., M(+).PtCl(6) (2-), M(+).PtCl(4) (2-), M(+).Pt(CN)(6) (2-), and M(+).Pd(CN)(4) (2-), where M(+)=Na(+),K(+),Rb(+), as model systems for investigating gas-phase contact ionpairs. Low-energy collisional excitation of these systems isolated within a quadrupole ion trap reveals that the fragmentation products are determined by the dianion and are independent of the counterion. This indicates that cation-dianion clusters represent gaseous ion-pair complexes, in line with recent findings for K(+).Pt(CN)(n) (2-), n=4,6 [Burke et al., J. Chem. Phys. 125, 021105 (2006)]. The relative fragmentation energies of several cation-dianion systems are obtained as a function of the counterion to explore the nature of ion-pair binding. For most of the systems studied, e.g., M(+).PtCl(6) (2-), the fragmentation energy increases as the cation size decreases, in line with a simple electrostatic description of the cation-dianion binding. However, the M(+).Pt(CN)(4) (2-) clusters displayed the reverse trend with the fragmentation energy increasing as the cation size increases. Density functional theory calculations of the cation-dianion fragmentation potential energy surfaces reveal the existence of a novel double-minima surface, separated by a repulsive Coulomb barrierlike feature at short range. The experimentally observed trends in the fragmentation energies can be fully understood with reference to the computed surfaces, hence providing strong support for the existence of the double-minima surface.

Infrared spectroscopy of Li(NH3)n clusters for n=4–7

Infrared spectra of Li(NH3)(n) clusters as a function of size are reported for the first time. Spectra have been recorded in the N-H stretching region for n=4-->7 using a mass-selective photodissociation technique. For the n=4 cluster, three distinct IR absorption bands are seen over a relatively narrow region, whereas the larger clusters yield additional features at higher frequencies. Ab initio calculations have been carried out in support of these experiments for the specific cases of n=4 and 5 for various isomers of these clusters. The bands observed in the spectrum for Li(NH3)(4) can all be attributed to N-H stretching vibrations from solvent molecules in the first solvation shell. The appearance of higher frequency N-H stretching bands for n > or =5 is assigned to the presence of ammonia molecules located in a second solvent shell. These data provide strong support for previous suggestions, based on gas phase photoionization measurements, that the first solvation shell for Li(NH3)(n) is complete at n=4. They are also consistent with neutron diffraction studies of concentrated lithium/liquid ammonia solutions, where Li(NH3)(4) is found to be the basic structural motif.

IR Spectroscopy of M+(Acetone) Complexes (M = Mg, Al, Ca): Cation−Carbonyl Binding Interactions

M(+)(acetone) ion-molecule complexes (M = Mg, Al, Ca) are produced in a pulsed molecular beam by laser vaporization and studied with infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the carbonyl stretch region. All of the spectra exhibit carbonyl stretches that are shifted significantly to lower frequencies than the free-molecule value, consistent with metal cation binding on the oxygen of the carbonyl. Density functional theory is employed to elucidate the shifts and patterns in these spectra. Doublet features are measured for the carbonyl region of Mg(+) and Ca(+) complexes, and these are assigned to Fermi resonances between the symmetric carbonyl stretch and the overtone of the symmetric carbon stretch. The carbonyl stretch red shift is greater for Al(+) than it is for the Mg(+) and Ca(+) complexes. This is attributed to the smaller size of the closed-shell Al(+), which enhances its ability to polarize the carbonyl electrons. Density functional theory correctly predicts the direction of the carbonyl stretch shift and the relative trend for the three metals.