Structural Isomers of Ti2O4 and Zr2O4 Anions Identified by Slow Photoelectron Velocity-Map Imaging Spectroscopy

Spectroscopy of Radicals, Clusters, and Transition States Using Slow Electron Velocity-Map Imaging of Cryogenically Cooled Anions

Slow electron velocity-map imaging of cryogenically cooled anions (cryo-SEVI) is a high-resolution variant of anion photoelectron spectroscopy that has been applied with considerable success over the years to the study of radicals, size-selected clusters, and transition states for unimolecular and bimolecular reactions. Cryo-SEVI retains the versatility of conventional anion photoelectron spectroscopy while offering sub-meV resolution, thereby enabling the resolution of vibrational structure in the photoelectron spectra of complex anions. This Feature Article describes recent experiments in our laboratory using cryo-SEVI, including a new research direction in which anions are vibrationally pre-excited with an infrared laser pulse prior to photodetachment.

The Chemical Nature of Ti4O10-: Vibrational Predissociation Spectroscopy Combined with Global Structure Optimization

The gas-phase infrared spectrum of Ti₄O₁₀^- is studied in the spectral range from 400 cm^-1 to 1250 cm^-1 using cryogenic ion trap vibrational spectroscopy, in combination with density functional theory (DFT). The infrared photodissociation (IRPD) spectrum of D₂-tagged Ti₄O₁₀^- provides evidence for a structure of lower symmetry that contains a superoxo group (1121 cm^-1) and two terminal Ti=O moieties. DFT combined with a genetic algorithm for global structure optimization predicts two isomers which feature a superoxo group: the C_s symmetric global minimum-energy structure and a similar isomer (C₁) that is slightly higher in energy. Coupled cluster calculations confirm the relative stability. Comparison of the harmonic DFT spectra (different functionals) with the IRPD spectrum suggests that both of these isomers contribute. Earlier assignments to the adamantane-like C_3v isomer with three terminal Ti-O^• - groups in a quartet state are not confirmed. They were based on the infrared multiple photon photodissociation (IRMPD) spectrum of bare Ti₄O₁₀^- and local DFT structure optimizations.

Electronic structure of NdO via slow photoelectron velocity-map imaging spectroscopy of NdO--

Electronically excited NdO is a possible product of the chemistry associated with the release of Nd into the ionosphere, and emission from these states may contribute to the observations following such experiments. To better characterize the energetics and spectroscopy of NdO, we report a combined experimental and theoretical study using slow photoelectron velocity-map imaging spectroscopy of cryogenically cooled NdO^- anions (cryo-SEVI) supplemented by wave function-based quantum-chemical calculations. Using cryo-SEVI, we measure the electron affinity of NdO to be 1.0091(7) eV and resolve numerous transitions to low-lying electronic and vibrational states of NdO that are assigned with the aid of the electronic structure calculations. Additionally, temperature-dependent data suggest contributions from the (2)4.5 state of NdO^- residing 2350 cm^-1 above the ground anion state. Photodetachment to higher-lying excited states of NdO is also reported, which may help to clarify observations from prior release experiments.

MELEXIR: maximum entropy Legendre expanded image reconstruction. A fast and efficient method for the analysis of velocity map imaging or photoelectron imaging data

The MELEXIR program obtains a Legendre expansion of the 3D velocity distribution from 2D images of ions or photoelectrons. The maximum entropy algorithm avoids inverse Abel transforms, is fast and applicable to low-intensity images.

Metal Cluster Models for Heterogeneous Catalysis: A Matrix-Isolation Perspective

Metal cluster models are of high relevance for establishing new mechanistic concepts for heterogeneous catalysis. The high reactivity and particular selectivity of metal clusters is caused by the wealth of low-lying electronically excited states that are often thermally populated. Thereby the metal clusters are flexible with regard to their electronic structure and can adjust their states to be appropriate for the reaction with a particular substrate. The matrix isolation technique is ideally suited for studying excited state reactivity. The low matrix temperatures (generally 4-40 K) of the noble gas matrix host guarantee that all clusters are in their electronic ground-state (with only a very few exceptions). Electronically excited states can then be selectively populated and their reactivity probed. Unfortunately, a systematic research in this direction has not been made up to date. The purpose of this review is to provide the grounds for a directed approach to understand cluster reactivity through matrix-isolation studies combined with quantum chemical calculations.

Slow Photoelectron Velocity-Map Imaging of Cryogenically Cooled Anions

Slow photoelectron velocity-map imaging spectroscopy of cryogenically cooled anions (cryo-SEVI) is a powerful technique for elucidating the vibrational and electronic structure of neutral radicals, clusters, and reaction transition states. SEVI is a high-resolution variant of anion photoelectron spectroscopy based on photoelectron imaging that yields spectra with energy resolution as high as 1-2 cm^-1. The preparation of cryogenically cold anions largely eliminates hot bands and dramatically narrows the rotational envelopes of spectral features, enabling the acquisition of well-resolved photoelectron spectra for complex and spectroscopically challenging species. We review the basis and history of the SEVI method, including recent experimental developments that have improved its resolution and versatility. We then survey recent SEVI studies to demonstrate the utility of this technique in the spectroscopy of aromatic radicals, metal and metal oxide clusters, nonadiabatic interactions between excited states of small molecules, and transition states of benchmark bimolecular reactions.

Anion Photoelectron Spectroscopy and High Level Ab Initio Calculations of the Halide–Nitric Oxide Dimer Complexes

Anion photoelectron spectra are presented for gas phase complexes formed between halide anions and nitric oxide, X−⋯NO where X− = Cl−, Br−, and I−. Electron binding energies are experimentally determined to be 3.82, 3.51, and 3.17 eV. Results from CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ calculations are presented for the anion species, whereby a single minimum of Cs symmetry is predicted. Binding energies (D0) of 15.3, 13.3, and 11.7 kJ mol−1 are predicted from complete basis set limit extrapolation, and are found to be in line with previous experimental studies.

Methane Activation by Tantalum Carbide Cluster Anions Ta2C4. J Phys Chem Lett 2017;8:605-610. [PMID: 28088857 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.6b02568]

Methane activation by transition metals is of fundamental interest and practical importance, as this process is extensively involved in the natural gas conversion to fuels and value-added chemicals. While single-metal centers have been well recognized as active sites for methane activation, the active center composed of two or more metal atoms is rarely addressed and the detailed reaction mechanism remains unclear. Here, by using state-of-the-art time-of-flight mass spectrometry, cryogenic anion photoelectron imaging spectroscopy, and quantum-chemical calculations, the cooperation of the two Ta atoms in a dinuclear carbide cluster Ta₂C₄^- for methane activation has been identified. The C-H bond activation takes place predominantly around one Ta atom in the initial stage of the reaction and the second Ta atom accepts the delivered H atom from the C-H bond cleavage. The well-resolved vibrational spectra of the cryogenically cooled anions agree well with theoretical simulations, allowing the clear characterization of the structure of Ta₂C₄^- cluster. The reactivity comparison between Ta₂C₄^- cluster and the carbon-less analogues (Ta₂C₃^- and Ta₂C₂^-) demonstrated that the cooperative effect of the two metal atoms can be well tuned by the carbon ligands in terms of methane activation and transformation.

Stable compositions and geometrical structures of titanium oxide cluster cations and anions studied by ion mobility mass spectrometry

Geometrical structures of titanium oxide cluster cations and anions have been investigated by ion mobility mass spectrometry and quantum chemical calculations based on density functional theory. Stable cluster compositions with respect to collision induced dissociation were also determined by changing ion injection energy to an ion drift cell for mobility measurements. The TinO2n-1 (+) cations and TinO2n (-) anions were predominantly observed at high injection energies, in addition to TinO2n (+) for cations and TinO2n+1 (-) for anions. Collision cross sections of TinO2n (+) and TinO2n+1 (-) for n = 1-7, determined by ion mobility mass spectrometry, were compared with those obtained theoretically as orientation-averaged cross sections for the optimized structures by quantum chemical calculations. All of the geometrical structures thus assigned have three-dimensional structures, which are in marked contrast with other oxides of late transition metals. One-oxygen atom dissociation processes from TinO2n (+) and TinO2n+1 (-) by collisions were also explained by analysis of spin density distributions.

Excess charge driven dissociative hydrogen adsorption on Ti2O4−

The mechanism of dissociative D₂ adsorption on Ti₂O₄⁻ is studied using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in combination with density functional theory calculations.

Isomer-specific vibronic structure of the 9-, 1-, and 2-anthracenyl radicals via slow photoelectron velocity-map imaging

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, in various charge and protonation states, are key compounds relevant to combustion chemistry and astrochemistry. Here, we probe the vibrational and electronic spectroscopy of gas-phase 9-, 1-, and 2-anthracenyl radicals (C14H9) by photodetachment of the corresponding cryogenically cooled anions via slow photoelectron velocity-map imaging (cryo-SEVI). The use of a newly designed velocity-map imaging lens in combination with ion cooling yields photoelectron spectra with <2 cm(-1) resolution. Isomer selection of the anions is achieved using gas-phase synthesis techniques, resulting in observation and interpretation of detailed vibronic structure of the ground and lowest excited states for the three anthracenyl radical isomers. The ground-state bands yield electron affinities and vibrational frequencies for several Franck-Condon active modes of the 9-, 1-, and 2-anthracenyl radicals; term energies of the first excited states of these species are also measured. Spectra are interpreted through comparison with ab initio quantum chemistry calculations, Franck-Condon simulations, and calculations of threshold photodetachment cross sections and anisotropies. Experimental measures of the subtle differences in energetics and relative stabilities of these radical isomers are of interest from the perspective of fundamental physical organic chemistry and aid in understanding their behavior and reactivity in interstellar and combustion environments. Additionally, spectroscopic characterization of these species in the laboratory is essential for their potential identification in astrochemical data.

Photoelectron imaging spectroscopy of MoC(-) and NbN(-) diatomic anions: A comparative study

The isoeletronic diatomic MoC(-) and NbN(-) anions have been prepared by laser ablation and studied by photoelectron imaging spectroscopy combined with quantum chemistry calculations. The photoelectron spectra of NbN(-) can be very well assigned on the basis of literature reported optical spectroscopy of NbN. In contrast, the photoelectron spectra of MoC(-) are rather complex and the assignments suffered from the presence of many electronically hot bands and limited information from the reported optical spectroscopy of MoC. The electron affinities of NbN and MoC have been determined to be 1.450 ± 0.003 eV and 1.360  ±  0.003 eV, respectively. The good resolution of the imaging spectroscopy provided a chance to resolve the Ω splittings of the X(3)Σ(-) (Ω = 0 and 1) state of MoC and the X(4)Σ(-) (Ω = 1/2 and 3/2) state of MoC(-) for the first time. The spin-orbit splittings of the X(2)Δ state of NbN(-) and the a(2)Δ state of MoC(-) were also determined. The similarities and differences between the electronic structures of the NbN and MoC systems were discussed.