The rovibrational nature of closed-shell third-row triatomics: HOX and HXO, X = Si+, P, S+, and Cl

Picking up Good Vibrations through Quartic Force Fields and Vibrational Perturbation Theory

Quartic force fields (QFFs) define sparse potential energy surfaces (compared to semiglobal surfaces) that are the cheapest and easiest means of computing anharmonic vibrational frequencies, especially when utilized with second-order vibrational perturbation theory (VPT2). However, flat and shallow potential surfaces are exceedingly difficult for QFFs to treat through a combination of numerical noise in the often numerically computed derivatives and in competing energy factors in the composite energies often utilized to provide high-level spectroscopic predictions. While some of these issues can be alleviated with analytic derivatives, hybrid QFFs, and intelligent choices in coordinate systems, the best practice is for predicting good molecular vibrations via QFFs is to understand what they cannot do, and this manuscript documents such cases where QFFs may fail.

Quantum Chemistry and Astrochemistry: A Match Made in the Heavens

Quantum chemistry can uniquely answer astrochemical questions that no other technique can provide. Computations can be parallelized, automated, and left to run continuously providing exceptional molecular throughput that cannot be done through experimentation. Additionally, the granularity of the individual computations that are required of potential energy surfaces, reaction mechanism pathways, or other quantum chemically derived observables produces a unique mosaic that make up the larger whole. These pieces can be dissected for their individual contributions or evaluated in an ad hoc fashion for each of their roles in generating the larger whole. No other scientific approach is capable of reporting such fine-grained insights. Quantum chemistry also works from a bottom-up approach in providing properties directly from the desired molecule instead of a top-down perspective as required of experiment where molecules have to be linked to observed phenomena. Furthermore, modern quantum chemistry is well within the range of "chemical accuracy" and is approaching "spectroscopic accuracy." As such, the seemingly difficult questions asked by astrochemistry that would not be asked initially for any other application require quantum chemical reference data. While the results of quantum chemical computations are needed to interpret astrochemical observation, modeling, or laboratory experimentation, such hard questions, regardless of the original need to answer them, produce unique solutions. While questions in astrochemistry often require novel developments in and implementations of quantum chemistry as outlined herein, the applications of these solutions will stretch beyond astrochemistry and may yet impact fields much closer to Earth.

DFT + F12 QFFs for Cost-Effective Rovibrational Spectral Data Predictions of Ground and Excited Electronic States

The quest for faster computation of anharmonic vibrational frequencies of both ground and excited electronic states has led to combining coupled cluster theory harmonic force constants with density functional theory cubic and quartic force constants for defining a quartic force field (QFF) utilized in conjunction with vibrational perturbation theory at second order (VPT2). This work shows that explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory at the singles, doubles, and perturbative triples levels [CCSD(T)-F12] provides accurate anharmonic vibrational frequencies and rotational constants when conjoined with any of B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP, BHandHLYP, PBE0, and ωB97XD for roughly one-quarter of the computational time of the CCSD(T)-F12 QFF alone for our test set. As the number of atoms in the molecule increases, however, the anharmonic terms become a greater portion of the QFF, and the cost comparison improves with HOCO+ and formic acid, requiring less than 15 and 10% of the time, respectively. In electronically excited states, PBE0 produces more consistently accurate results. Additionally, as the size of the molecule and, in turn, QFF increase, the cost savings for utilizing such a hybrid approach for both ground- and excited-state computations grows. As such, these methods are promising for predicting accurate rovibrational spectral properties for electronically excited states. In cases where well-behaved potentials for a small selection of targeted excited states are needed, such an approach should reduce the computational cost compared to that of methods requiring semiglobal potential surfaces or variational treatments of the rovibronic Hamiltonian. Such applications include spectral characterization of comets, exoplanets, or any situation in which gas phase molecules are being excited by UV-vis radiation.

Spectroscopy and Photochemistry of OAlNO and Implications for New Metal Chemistry in the Atmosphere

A new aluminum-bearing species, OAlNO, which has the potential to impact the chemistry of the Earth's upper atmosphere, is characterized via high-level, ab initio, spectroscopic methods. Meteor-ablated aluminum atoms are quickly oxidized to aluminum oxide (AlO) in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT), where a steady-state layer of AlO then builds up. Concurrent formation of nitric oxide (NO) in the same region of the atmosphere will lead to the bimolecular formation of the OAlNO molecule. Molecular orbital analysis provides fundamental insights into the chemical bonding and energetic arrangement of the triplet (1 3A″) ground state and singlet (1 1A') excited-state species of OAlNO. Additionally, unpaired electrons on the terminal oxygen atom of triplet (1 3A″) OAlNO cause it to be reactive to atmospheric species, potentially impacting climate science and high-altitude chemistry. The triplet (1 3A″) ground-state species exhibits a large permanent dipole moment useful for rotational spectroscopic detection; however, similar rotational constants to the singlet (1 1A') excited-state species will hamper differentiation in a spectrum. Strong infrared intensities will assist in detection and discrimination of the different spin states and isomers. Repulsive electronic excited states of OAlNO will lead to photolysis of the Al-N bond and formation of various electronic states of AlO + NO through nonadiabatic pathways. Reaction through the OAlNO intermediate represents a means for the production of electronically excited AlO, leading to new chemistry in the atmosphere. Excitation to higher-lying electronic states will lead to fluorescence with a minor Stokes shift, useful for laboratory investigation. Such physical properties of this molecule will allow for new, unexplored chemical pathways in the MLT to be considered.

F12+EOM Quartic Force Fields for Rovibrational Predictions of Electronically Excited States

Quartic force fields (QFFs) constructed using a sum of ground-state CCSD(T)-F12b energies with EOM-CCSD excitation energies are proposed for computation of spectroscopic properties of electronically excited states. This is dubbed the F12+EOM approach and is shown to provide similar accuracy to previous methodologies at lower computational cost. Using explicitly correlated F12 approaches instead of canonical CCSD(T), as in the corresponding (T)+EOM approach, allows for 70-fold improvement in computational time. The mean percent difference between the two methods for anharmonic vibrational frequencies is only 0.10%. A similar approach is also developed herein which accounts for core correlation and scalar relativistic effects, named F12cCR+EOM. The F12+EOM and F12cCR+EOM approaches both match to within 2.5% mean absolute error of experimental fundamental frequencies. These new methods should help in clarifying astronomical spectra by assigning features to vibronic and vibrational transitions of small astromolecules when such data are not available experimentally.

Confirmation of gaseous methanediol from state-of-the-art theoretical rovibrational characterization

High-level rovibrational characterization of methanediol, the simplest geminal diol, using state-of-the-art, purely ab initio techniques unequivocally confirms previously reported gas phase preparation of this simplest geminal diol in its C₂ conformation. The F12-TZ-cCR and F12-DZ-cCR quartic force fields (QFFs) utilized in this work are among the largest coupled cluster-based anharmonic frequencies computed to date, and they match the experimental band origins of the spectral features in the 980-1100 cm^-1 range to within 3 cm^-1, representing a significant improvement over previous studies. The simulated spectrum also matches the experimental spectrum in the strong Q branch feature and qualitative shape of the 980-1100 cm^-1 region. Additionally, the full set of rotational constants, anharmonic vibrational frequencies, and quartic and sextic distortion constants are provided for both the lowest energy C₂ conformer as well as the slightly higher C_s conformer. Several vibrational modes have intensities of 60 km mol^-1 or higher, facilitating potential astronomical or atmospheric detection of methanediol or further identification in laboratory work especially now that gas phase synthesis of this molecule has been established.

Theoretical Rovibrational Spectroscopy of Magnesium Tricarbide-Multireference Character Thwarts a Full Analysis of All Isomers

Magnesium tricarbide isomers are studied herein with coupled cluster theory and multireference configuration interaction to support their possible detection in astrochemical environments such as the circumstellar envelope surrounding the star IRC +10216 or in terrestrial laboratories. Magnesium-bearing species may abound in the interstellar medium (ISM), but only eight (MgNC, MgCN, HMgNC, MgC₂H, MgC₃N, MgC₄H, MgC₅N, and MgC₆H) have been directly identified thus far. Several possible isomers for the related MgC₃ system are explored in their singlet and triplet spin multiplicities. Overall, this work offers quantum chemical insight of rovibrational spectroscopic data for MgC₃ using quartic force fields (QFFs) based on the CCSD(T) and CCSD(T)-F12 levels of theory at the complete basis set (CBS) limit. Additional corrections with small basis set CCSDT(Q) and scalar relativistic effects are also included in the analysis. Salient multireference character is found in the singlet diamond electronic state, which makes a definitive assignment of the ground state challenging. Nevertheless, coupled cluster-based composite energies and multireference configuration interaction both predict that the ¹A₁ diamond isomer is 1.6-2.2 kcal mol^-1 lower in energy than the ³A₁ diamond isomer. Furthermore, highly accurate binding energies of various isomers MgC₃ are provided for comparison to photodetachment experiments. Dipole moments along with harmonic infrared intensities will guide efforts for astronomical and spectroscopic characterization.

Spectral Signatures of Hydrogen Thioperoxide (HOSH) and Hydrogen Persulfide (HSSH): Possible Molecular Sulfur Sinks in the Dense ISM

For decades, sulfur has remained underdetected in molecular form within the dense interstellar medium (ISM), and somewhere a molecular sulfur sink exists where it may be hiding. With the discovery of hydrogen peroxide (HOOH) in the ISM in 2011, a natural starting point may be found in sulfur-bearing analogs that are chemically similar to HOOH: hydrogen thioperoxide (HOSH) and hydrogen persulfide (HSSH). The present theoretical study couples the accuracy in the anharmonic fundamental vibrational frequencies from the explicitly correlated coupled cluster theory with the accurate rotational constants provided by canonical high-level coupled cluster theory to produce rovibrational spectra for use in the potential observation of HOSH and HSSH. The ν6 mode for HSSH at 886.1 cm−1 is within 0.2 cm−1 of the gas-phase experiment, and the B0 rotational constant for HSSH of 6979.5 MHz is within 9.0 MHz of the experimental benchmarks, implying that the unknown spectral features (such as the first overtones and combination bands) provided herein are similarly accurate. Notably, a previous experimentally-attributed 2ν1 mode, at 7041.8 cm−1, has been reassigned to the ν1+ν5 combination band based on the present work’s ν1+ν5 value at 7034.3 cm−1. The most intense vibrational transitions for each molecule are the torsions, with HOSH having a more intense transition of 72 km/mol compared to HSSH’s intensity of 14 km/mol. Furthermore, HOSH has a larger net dipole moment of 1.60 D compared to HSSH’s 1.15 D. While HOSH may be the more likely candidate of the two for possible astronomical observation via vibrational spectroscopy due to the notable difference in their intensities, both HSSH and HOSH have large enough net dipole moments to be detectable by rotational spectroscopy to discover the role these molecules may have as possible molecular sulfur sinks in the dense ISM.

F12-TZ-cCR: A Methodology for Faster and Still Highly Accurate Quartic Force Fields

The F12-TZ-cCR quartic force field (QFF) methodology, defined here as CCSD(T)-F12b/cc-pCVTZ-F12 with further corrections for relativity, is introduced as a cheaper and even more accurate alternative to more costly composite QFF methods like those containing complete basis set extrapolations within canonical coupled cluster theory. F12-TZ-cCR QFFs produce B₀ and C₀ vibrationally averaged principal rotational constants within 7.5 MHz of gas-phase experimental values for tetraatomic and larger molecules, offering higher accuracy in these constants than the previous composite methods. In addition, F12-TZ-cCR offers an order of magnitude decrease in the computational cost of highly accurate QFF methodologies accompanying this increase in accuracy. An additional order of magnitude in cost reduction is achieved in the F12-DZ-cCR method, while also matching the accuracy of the traditional composite method's B₀ and C₀ constants. Finally, F12-DZ and F12-TZ are benchmarked on the same test set, revealing that both methods can provide anharmonic vibrational frequencies that are comparable in accuracy to all three of the more expensive methodologies, although their rotational constants lag behind. Hence, the present work demonstrates that highly accurate theoretical rovibrational spectral data can be obtained for a fraction of the cost of conventional QFF methodologies, extending the applicability of QFFs to larger molecules.

(T)+EOM Quartic Force Fields for Theoretical Vibrational Spectroscopy of Electronically Excited States

(T)+EOM quartic force fields (QFFs) are proposed for ab initio rovibrational properties of electronically excited states of small molecules. The (T)+EOM method is a simple treatment of the potential surface of the excited state using a composite energy from the CCSD(T) energy for the ground-state configuration and the EOM-CCSD excitation energy for the target state. The method is benchmarked with two open-shell species, HOO and HNF, and two closed-shell species, HNO and HCF. A (T)+EOM QFF with a complete basis set extrapolation (C) and corrections for core correlation (cC) and scalar relativity (R), dubbed (T)+EOM/CcCR, achieves a mean absolute error (MAE) as low as 1.6 cm^-1 for the à ²A' state of HOO versus an established benchmark QFF with CCSD(T)-F12b/cc-pVTZ-F12 (F12-TZ) for this variationally accessible electronically excited state. The MAE for anharmonic frequencies for (T)+EOM/CcCR versus F12-TZ for HNF is 7.5 cm^-1. The closed-shell species are compared directly with the experiment, where a simpler (T)+EOM QFF using the aug-cc-pVTZ basis set compares more favorably than the more costly (T)+EOM/CcCR, suggesting a possible influence of decreasing accuracy with basis set size. Scans along internal coordinates are also provided which show reasonable modeling of the potential surface by (T)+EOM compared to benchmark QFFs computed for variationally accessible electronic states. The agreement between (T)+EOM/CcCR with F12-TZ and CcCR benchmarks is also shown to be quite accurate for rotational constants and geometries, with an MAE of 0.008 MHz for the rotational constants of (T)+EOM/CcCR versus CcCR for à ²A' HOO and agreement within 0.003 Å for bond lengths.

Highly-accurate quartic force fields for the prediction of anharmonic rotational constants and fundamental vibrational frequencies

The CcCR quartic force field (QFF) methodology is capable of computing B₀ and C₀ rotational constants to within 35 MHz (0.14%) of experiment for triatomic and larger molecules with at least two heavy atoms. Additionally, the same constants for molecules with four or more atoms agree to within 20 MHz (0.12%) of experiment for the current test set. This work also supports previous claims that the same QFF methodology can produce fundamental vibrational frequencies with a deviation less than 5.7 cm^-1 from experiment. Consequently, this approach of augmenting complete basis set extrapolated energies with treatments of core electron correlation and scalar relativity produces some of the most accurate rovibrational spectroscopic data available.

Anharmonic Frequencies and Spectroscopic Constants of OAlOH and AlOH: Strong Bonding but Unhindered Motion

The astrophysical buildup of premineral nanocrystals from atoms to the smallest network-covalent solids will require observations of various small molecules containing the most common elements in minerals including aluminum and oxygen. The present work utilizes high-level quantum chemical quartic force field (QFF) approaches to produce anharmonic vibrational frequencies and spectroscopic constants for such species. The computed B_eff for the astrochemically known AlOH molecule at 15780.5 MHz is a mere 40 MHz above the experimental value implying that the B_eff for OAlOH at 5580.9 MHz is similarly accurate. The additional 7.31 D dipole moment in OAlOH implies that this molecule is a viable target for interstellar observation. Unlike the other anharmonic vibrational frequencies reported in this work, the Al-O-H bending frequencies in both AlOH and OAlOH are poorly described in the present QFF results. However, this failing actually highlights the fact that these bends are exceptionally floppy yet with counterintuitive exceedingly strong bonding. The Al-O bond energies are 128.2 and 107.2 kcal/mol, respective of AlOH and OAlOH, while the barriers to linearity are meager 16.6 and 380.7 cm^-1 (0.1 and 1.1 kcal/mol).

Overcoming the out-of-plane bending issue in an aromatic hydrocarbon: the anharmonic vibrational frequencies of c-(CH)C3H2. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2020;22:12951-12958. [PMID: 32478782 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp01889a]

The challenges associated with the out-of-plane bending problem in multiply-bonded hydrocarbon molecules can be mitigated in quartic force field analyses by varying the step size in the out-of-plane coordinates. Carbon is a highly prevalent element in astronomical and terrestrial environments, but this major piece of its spectra has eluded theoretical examinations for decades. Earlier explanations for this problem focused on method and basis set issues, while this work seeks to corroborate the recent diagnosis as a numerical instability problem related to the generation of the potential energy surface. Explicit anharmonic frequencies for c-(CH)C₃H₂⁺ are computed using a quartic force field and the CCSD(T)-F12b method with cc-pVDZ-F12, cc-pVTZ-F12, and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. The first of these is shown to offer accuracy comparable to that of the latter two with a substantial reduction in computational time. Additionally, c-(CH)C₃H₂⁺ is shown to have two fundamental frequencies at the onset of the interstellar unidentified infrared bands, at 5.134 and 6.088 μm or 1947.9 and 1642.6 cm^-1, respectively. This suggests that the results in the present study should assist in the attribution of parts of these aromatic bands, as well as provide data in support of the laboratory or astronomical detection of c-(CH)C₃H₂⁺.

Anharmonic Frequencies of (MO)2 and Related Hydrides for M = Mg, Al, Si, P, S, Ca, and Ti and Heuristics for Predicting Anharmonic Corrections of Inorganic Oxides

The low-frequency vibrational fundamentals of D_2h inorganic oxides are readily modeled by heuristic scaling factors at fractions of the computational cost compared to explicit anharmonic frequency computations. Oxygen and the other elements in the present study are abundant in geochemical environments and have the potential to aggregate into minerals in planet-forming regions or in the remnants of supernovae. Explicit quartic force field computations at the CCSD(T)-F12b/cc-pVTZ-F12 level of theory generate scaling factors that accurately predict the anharmonic frequencies with an average error of less than 1.0 cm^-1 for both the metal-oxygen stretching frequencies and the torsion and antisymmetric stretching frequencies. Inclusion of hydrogen motions is less absolutely accurate but is similarly relatively predictive. The fundamental vibrational frequencies for the seven tetra-atomic inorganic oxides examined presently fall below 876 cm^-1 and most of the hydrogenated species do as well. Additionally, ν₆ for the SiO dimer is shown to have an intensity of 562 km mol^-1, with each of the other molecules having one or more frequencies with intensities greater than 80 km mol^-1, again with most in the low-frequency infrared range. These intensities and the frequencies computed in the present study should assist in laboratory characterization and potential interstellar or circumstellar observation.

ArCH2 + : A Detectable Noble Gas Molecule

The noble gas molecular cation, ArCH₂ ⁺ , has been observed in mass spectrometry experiments, and the present work is providing high-level quantum chemical predictions for the vibrational and rotational spectroscopic data necessary to observe this molecule in situ in other laboratory conditions. The Ar-C stretch in this cation is a bright fundamental vibrational frequency that should be observable in the early regions of the far-infrared at 421.2 cm^-1 for the universally most common ³⁶ Ar isotope. The near-prolate nature of this molecule and its 2.91 D dipole moment should also make it distinguishable for submillimeter detection, as well. Furthermore, the Ar-C bond strength in ArCH₂ ⁺ is greater than the global minimum for the dissociation of the experimentally known ArOH⁺ cation. As a result, the infrared spectrum of this simple organo-noble gas molecule is likely waiting to be observed and may already exist in the spectra of hydrocarbon cations in argon-matrix condensed phase experiments.

Rovibrational analysis of c-SiC2H2: Further evidence for out-of-plane bending issues in correlated methods

While the issue of properly describing the out-of-plane bends (OPBs) in sp² hybridized carbon atoms has reappeared for c-SiC₂H₂, the present quantum chemical study provides a new characterization of this molecule in order to aid in its potential detection in astrophysically relevant studies. Combining the previous, high-level approach with MP2-F12/aug-cc-pVDZ gives exceptionally accurate results for the comparison of experimental rotational constants and seemingly reliable vibrational frequencies. Most notably, the brightest fundamental vibrational frequency in c-SiC₂H₂, the b₁ OPB, is predicted to lie at 673.4 cm^-1, within 4.0 cm^-1 of the previous matrix isolation experiment. As with c-C₃H₂, CCSD(T)-F12/aug-cc-pVTZ appears to be quite susceptible to over estimating the OPB anharmonic correction in c-SiC₂H₂ and may also do such for in-plane bends, as well. MP2-F12/aug-cc-pVDZ is less susceptible to these errors, and increasing the step size reduces this positive anharmonicity issue in both the cases. The OPB underestimation, however, likely still remains. Finally, estimates for some anharmonic vibrational frequencies are provided for the methylated form, c-SiC₂HCH₃, which is likely also a product of gas phase reactions of ·SiH with various alkynes.

Overcoming the Failure of Correlation for Out-of-Plane Motions in a Simple Aromatic: Rovibrational Quantum Chemical Analysis of c-C3H2

Truncated, correlated, wave function methods either produce imaginary frequencies (in the extreme case) or nonphysically low frequencies in out-of-plane motions for carbon and adjacent atoms when the carbon atoms engage in π bonding. Cyclopropenylidene is viewed as the simplest aromatic hydrocarbon, and the present as well as previous theoretical studies have shown that this simple molecule exhibits this behavior in the two out-of-plane bends (OPBs). This nonphysical behavior has been treated by removing nearly linear dependent basis functions according to eigenvalues of the overlap matrix, by employing basis sets where the spd space saturatation is balanced with higher angular momentum functions, by including basis set superposition/incompleteness error (BSSE/BSIE) corrections, or by combining standard correlation methods with explicitly correlated methods to produce hybrid potential surfaces. However, this work supports the recently described hypothesis that the OPB problem is both a method and a basis set effect. The correlated wave function's largest higher-order substitution term comes from a π → π* excitation where constructive interference of both orbitals artificially stabilizes the OPB. By employing schema to overcome this issue, the symmetric OPB ν₉ is the predicted to be the second-brightest transition, and it will be observed very close to 775 cm^-1. However, more work from the community is required to formulate better how carbon atoms interact with their adjacent atoms in π-bonded systems. Such bonds are ubiquitous in all of chemistry and beyond.

Towards a quantum chemical protocol for the prediction of rovibrational spectroscopic data for transition metal molecules: Exploration of CuCN, CuOH, and CuCCH

High accuracy electronic structure computations for small transition metal-containing molecules have been a long term challenge. Due to coupling between electronic and nuclear wave functions, even experimental/theoretical identification of the ground electronic state requires tremendous efforts. Quartic force fields (QFFs) are effective ab initio tools for obtaining reliable anharmonic spectroscopic properties. However, the method that employs complete basis set limit extrapolation ("C"), consideration of core electron correlation ("cC"), and inclusion of scalar relativity ("R") to produce the energy points on the QFF, the composite CcCR methodology, has not yet been utilized to study inorganic spectroscopy. This work takes the CcCR methodology and adapts it to test whether such an approach is conducive for the closed-shell, copper-containing molecules CuCN, CuOH, and CuCCH. Gas phase rovibrational data are provided for all three species in their ground electronic states. Equilibrium geometries and many higher-order rovibrational properties show good agreement with earlier studies. However, there are notable differences, especially in computation of fundamental vibrational frequencies. Even with further additive corrections for the inner core electron correlation and coupled cluster with full single, double, and triple substitutions (CCSDT), the differences are still larger than expected indicating that more work should follow for predicting rovibrational properties of transition metal molecules.

Towards completing the cyclopropenylidene cycle: rovibrational analysis of cyclic N3+, CNN, HCNN+, and CNC. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2017;19:22860-22869. [PMID: 28812071 DOI: 10.1039/c7cp04257d]

The simple aromatic hydrocarbon, cyclopropenylidene (c-C₃H₂), is a known, naturally-occurring molecule. The question remains as to whether its isoelectronic, cyclic, fellow aromatics of c-N₃⁺, c-CNN, HCNN⁺, and c-CNC^- are as well. Each of these are exciting objects for observation of Titan, and the rotational constants and vibrational frequencies produced here will allow for remote sensing of Titan's atmosphere or other astrophysical or terrestrial sources. None of these four aromatic species are vibrationally strong absorbers/emitters, but the two ions, HCNN⁺ and c-CNC^-, have dipole moments of greater than 3 D and 1 D, respectively, making them good targets for rotational spectroscopic observation. Each of these molecules is shown here to exhibit its own, unique vibrational properties, but the general trends put the vibrational behavior for corresponding fundamental modes within close ranges of one another, even producing nearly the same heavy atom, symmetric stretching frequencies for HCNN⁺ and c-C₃H₂ at 1600 cm^-1. The c-N₃⁺ cation is confirmed to be fairly unstable and has almost no intensity in its ν₂ fundamental. Hence, it will likely remain difficult to characterize experimentally.

Symmetry breaking and spectral considerations of the surprisingly floppy c-C3H radical and the related dipole-bound excited state of c-C3H. J Chem Phys 2017;146:224303. [PMID: 29166048 DOI: 10.1063/1.4985095]

The C₃H radical is believed to be prevalent throughout the interstellar medium and may be involved in the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. C₃H exists as both a linear and a cyclic isomer. The C_2v cyclopropenylidenyl radical isomer was detected in the dark molecular cloud TMC-1, and the linear propenylidenyl radical isomer has been observed in various dark molecular clouds. Even though the c-C₃H radical has been classified rotationally, the vibrational frequencies of this seemingly important interstellar molecule have never been directly observed. Established, highly accurate quartic force field methodologies are employed here to compute useful geometrical data, spectroscopic constants, and vibrational frequencies. The computed rotational constants are consistent with the experimental results. Consequently, the three a₁ (ν₁, ν₂, and ν₃) and one b₁ (ν₆) anharmonic vibrational frequencies at 3117.7 cm^-1, 1564.3 cm^-1, 1198.5 cm^-1, and 826.7 cm^-1, respectively, are reliable predictions for these, as of yet unseen, observables. Unfortunately, the two b₂ fundamentals (ν₄ and ν₅) cannot be treated adequately in the current approach due to a flat and possible double-well potential described in detail herein. The dipole-bound excited state of the anion suffers from the same issues and may not even be bound. However, the trusted fundamental vibrational frequencies described for the neutral radical should not be affected by this deformity and are the first robustly produced for c-C₃H. The insights gained here will also be applicable to other structures containing three-membered bare and exposed carbon rings that are surprisingly floppy in nature.

The rovibrational nature of cis- and trans-HNNS: A possible nitrogen molecule progenitor

The HNNS radical has been promoted recently as a viable intermediate in the interstellar creation of the spectroscopically elusive nitrogen molecule. Any confirmation of this pathway or utilizing HNNS as a tracer of N₂ depends upon the ability to observe the radical intermediate whether in the laboratory or in the interstellar medium. Established and accurate quantum chemical procedures are employed here to produce spectroscopic constants, fundamental vibrational frequencies, and intensities that can be utilized for any possible detection of HNNS. While trans-HNNS is confirmed here to be 3.0 kcal/mol lower in energy than cis-HNNS, the latter will be more readily observed rotationally due to its significantly larger dipole moment. The N-N bond in cis-HNNS is stronger than in trans-HNNS, and earlier work has suggested that cis-HNNS is more useful in the creation of N₂ from NH and NS. Hence, the detection of cis-HNNS may be of greater value anyway. Furthermore, the N-N stretch in either conformer is also exceptionally bright and will occur in the mid-infrared with nearly 30 cm^-1 separating the fundamentals of the two conformers. Finally, the low isomerization barrier can be affected significantly upon deuteration also making ND an interesting consideration as a starting material in the interstellar formation of N₂.

Vibrational frequencies and spectroscopic constants of three, stable noble gas molecules: NeCCH+, ArCCH+, and ArCN+

The search for possible, natural, noble gas molecules has led to quantum chemical, spectroscopic analysis of NeCCH⁺, ArCCH⁺, and ArCN⁺.

Formation of Potential Interstellar Noble Gas Molecules in Gas and Adsorbed Phases

The discovery of naturally occurring ArH⁺ in various regions of the interstellar medium has shown the need for more understanding of the reactions that lead to covalently bonded noble gas molecules. The test comes with trying to predict the formation of other small noble gas molecules. Many molecules have been observed in various interstellar environments, which possess the possibility of bonding with noble gases. This work explores how both argon and neon can form bonds to ligands made of these species through quantum chemical computations. Argon and neon are chosen as they are among the most abundant atoms in the universe but are more polarizable than the more common but smaller helium atom. Reactions leading to noble gas molecules are modeled in the gas phase as well as through the adsorbed phase by catalysis with a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) surface. The adsorption energy of the neutral noble gas atoms to the surface increases as the size of the PAH also increases but this is still less than 10 kcal/mol. It is proposed and supported herein that an incoming molecule can bond with the noble gas atom adsorbed onto the PAH, form a stable structure, and allow the PAH to function as the leaving group. This work shows that the noble gas molecules ArCCH⁺, ArOH⁺, ArNH⁺, and NeCCH⁺ are not only stable minima on their respective potential energy surfaces but also can be formed in either the gas phase or through PAH adsorption with known or hypothesized interstellar molecules. Most notably, NeCCH⁺ does not appear to form in the gas phase but could be catalyzed on PAH surfaces. Hence, the interstellar detection of such molecules could also serve as a probe for the observation of interstellar PAHs.