Methyl Group Rotational Dynamics in o-, m-, and p-Xylene Cations from Pulsed Field Ionization Zero-Kinetic-Energy Spectroscopy

Dissociative Photoionization of Dimethylpyridines and Trimethylpyridine at 266 nm: Dynamics of Methyl Radical Release

The 266 nm photolysis of various positional isomers of dimethylpyridines and trimethylpyridine was investigated by measuring the translational energy distribution of the methyl radical following {sp2}C-C{sp3} bond dissociation. The observed translational energy distribution is attributed to the dissociative photoionization in the cationic ground state following [1 + 1 + 1] three-photon absorption. The translational energy distribution profiles of the methyl radical were broad with the maximum translation energy in excess of 2 eV, which originates due to the dissociation of {sp2}C-C{sp3} bond ortho to the N atom in the ring. The dynamics of {sp2}C-C{sp3} bond dissociation in the cationic ground state of methylpyridines is marginally dependent on the number and position of the methyl groups; similar to xylenes, however, it is site-selective with the preferential cleavage of C-C bond in the ortho position to the pyridinic nitrogen atom, which is attributed to the relative stability of the resulting radical cation.

Dynamics of Methyl Radical Formation Following 266 nm Dissociative Photoionization of Xylenes and Mesitylene

The 266 nm dissociative photoionization of three xylene isomers and mesitylene leading to the formation of methyl radical was examined. The total translational energy distribution profiles [P(E_T)] for the methyl radical were almost identical for all of the three isomers of xylene and mesitylene, while a substantial difference was observed for the corresponding P(E_T) profile of the co-fragment produced by loss of one methyl group in m-xylene. This observation is attributed to the formation of the methyl radical from alternate channels induced by the probe. The P(E_T) profiles were rationalized based on the dissociation of {sp²}C-C{sp³} bond in the cationic state, wherein the {sp²}C-C{sp³} bond dissociation energy is substantially lower relative to the neutral ground state. The dissociation in the cationic state follows a resonant three-photon absorption process, resulting in a maximum translational energy of about 1.6-1.8 eV for the photofragments in the center-of-mass frame. Fitting of the P(E_T) profiles to empirical function reveals that the dynamics of {sp²}C-C{sp³} bond dissociation is insensitive to the position of substitution but marginally dependent on the number of methyl groups.

Site-dependent effects of methylation on the electronic spectra of jet-cooled methylated xanthine compounds

We obtained the electronic spectra of various methylated xanthine compounds including caffeine in a supersonic jet by resonant two-photon ionization spectroscopy. The methyl group in the tested methylated xanthine compounds has a distinct, site-dependent effect on the electronic spectrum. Methylation at the N3 position causes a significant red shift of the ππ* state, whereas methylation at the N1 position has only minimal effects on the electronic spectrum. The notably broad spectra of theobromine and caffeine result from methyl substitution at the N7 position, which causes a large displacement between the potential energy surfaces of the S₀ and S₁ states, and a strong vibronic coupling. We also investigated the internal rotation of the methyl group and its effect on the electronic spectrum of the methylated xanthine compounds. We found that the barrier height for the torsional motion in the ground state is significantly affected by a carbonyl or methyl group that lies close to the methyl group of interest. In contrast, the torsional barrier in the excited state is governed by the hyperconjugation interaction in the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. The agreement between the experimental and simulated spectra of torsional vibronic bands suggested that the low frequency torsional vibrations arising from the tunneling splitting and the coupling between the torsional and molecular motions give theobromine and theophylline the multiplet nature of their origin bands. This study provides a new level of understanding for the methyl substitution effects on the electronically excited states of xanthine compounds, which may very well be applicable to many other methyl substituted biomolecules including DNAs and proteins.

Vibrational and vibrational-torsional interactions in the 0-600 cm-1 region of the S1← S0 spectrum of p-xylene investigated with resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and zero-kinetic-energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy

We assign the 0-600 cm^-1 region of the S₁← S₀ transition in p-xylene (p-dimethylbenzene) using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and zero-kinetic-energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy. In the 0-350 cm^-1 range as well as the intense origin band, there are a number of torsional and vibration-torsion (vibtor) features. The latter are discussed in more detail in Paper I [A. M. Gardner et al., J. Chem. Phys. 146, 124308 (2017)]. Here we focus on the origin and the 300-600 cm^-1 region, where vibrational bands and some vibtor activity are observed. From the origin ZEKE spectrum, we derive the ionization energy of p-xylene as 68200 ± 5 cm^-1. The assignment of the REMPI spectrum is based on the activity observed in the ZEKE spectra coupled with knowledge of the vibrational wavenumbers obtained from quantum chemical calculations. We assign several isolated vibrations and a complex Fermi resonance that is found to comprise contributions from both vibrations and vibtor levels, and we examine this via a two-dimensional ZEKE spectrum. A number of the vibrational features in the REMPI and ZEKE spectra of p-xylene that have been reported previously are reassigned and now largely consist of totally symmetric contributions. We briefly discuss the appearance of non-Franck-Condon allowed transitions. Finally, we find remarkably similar spectral activity to that in the related disubstituted benzenes, para-difluorobenzene, and para-fluorotoluene.

Molecular symmetry group analysis of the low-wavenumber torsions and vibration-torsions in the S1 state and ground state cation of p-xylene: An investigation using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and zero-kinetic-energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy

For the first time, a molecular symmetry group (MSG) analysis has been undertaken in the investigation of the electronic spectroscopy of p-xylene (p-dimethylbenzene). Torsional and vibration-torsional (vibtor) levels in the S₁ state and ground state of the cation of p-xylene are investigated using resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) and zero-kinetic-energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy. In the present work, we concentrate on the 0-350 cm^-1 region, where there are a number of torsional and vibtor bands and we discuss the assignment of this region. In Paper II [W. D. Tuttle et al., J. Chem. Phys. 146, 124309 (2017)], we examine the 350-600 cm^-1 region where vibtor levels are observed as part of a Fermi resonance. The similarity of much of the observed spectral activity to that in the related substituted benzenes, toluene and para-fluorotoluene, is striking, despite the different symmetries. The discussion necessitates a consideration of the MSG of p-xylene, which has been designated G₇₂, but we shall also designate [{3,3}]D_2h and we include the symmetry operations, character table, and direct product table for this. We also discuss the symmetries of the internal rotor (torsional) levels and the selection rules for the particular electronic transition of p-xylene investigated here.

Torsion and vibration-torsion levels of the S1 and ground cation electronic states of para-fluorotoluene

We investigate the low-energy transitions (0-570 cm^-1) of the S₁ state of para-fluorotoluene (pFT) using a combination of resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization and zero-kinetic-energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. By using various S₁ states as intermediate levels, we obtain ZEKE spectra. The differing activity observed allows detailed assignments to be made of both the cation and S₁ low-energy levels. The assignments are in line with the recently published work on toluene from the Lawrance group [J. R. Gascooke et al., J. Chem. Phys. 143, 044313 (2015)], which considered vibration-torsion coupling in depth for the S₁ state of toluene. In addition, we investigate whether two bands that occur in the range 390-420 cm^-1 are the result of a Fermi resonance; we present evidence for weak coupling between various vibrations and torsions that contribute to this region. This work has led to the identification of a number of misassignments in the literature, and these are corrected.

Visualizing competing intersystem crossing and internal conversion with a complementary measurement

A complementary measurement method based on a home-built double-sided velocity map imaging setup is introduced. This method can simultaneously obtain time-resolved photoelectron imaging and fragment ion imaging. It has been successfully applied to investigate the ultrafast dynamics of the second singlet electronically excited state (S2) in m-xylene. Time-resolved photoelectron and ion signals derived from the initial populated S2 state are tracked following two-photon absorption of a pump pulse. Time-of-flight mass spectra (TOFMS) show that there are dominant parent ions and one fragment ions with methyl loss during such a process. According to the measured photoelectron images and fragment ions images, transient kinetic energy distributions and angular distributions of the generated photoelectrons and fragments are obtained and analyzed. Compared to stand-alone photoelectron imaging, the obtained fragment ion imaging is powerful for further understanding the mechanisms especially when the dissociation occurs during the pump-probe ionization. Two competing channels intersystem crossing T3←S2 and internal conversion S1←S2 are attributed to the deactivation of the S2 state. A lifetime of ∼50 fs for the initially excited S2 state, of ∼276 fs for the secondary populated S1 state, and of 5.76 ps for the T3 state is inferred.

Light-scattering study of vibrational relaxation in liquid xylenes

Brillouin spectra obtained in dynamic light-scattering experiments are reported for the three isomeric xylenes (ortho-, meta-, and paradimethylbenzenes) between 288 and 363 K. Limiting sound velocities and relaxation times, as obtained from the polarized spectra using the theory developed by Mountain [J. Res. Natl. Bur. Stand. 70A, 207 (1966)], reveal the existence of a relaxation process. Our results suggest that the relaxation process in liquid xylenes has a purely vibrational nature. Vibrational-translational energy exchanges in xylenes are analyzed in terms of available molecular models and compared to those previously obtained for toluene and benzene. The results presented here confirm the important role played by the molecular geometry in the vibrational relaxation process, as the relative arrangement of the methyl groups has significant effect in determining the relaxing vibrational modes.

Mass analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of 5-methylindole and 3-methylindole cations and the methyl substitution effect

The vibrationally resolved mass analyzed threshold ionization spectra of jetcooled 5-methylindole (5MI) and 3-methylindole (3MI) have been recorded by ionizing via various vibronic levels of each species. The adiabatic ionization energies (IEs) of 5MI and 3MI are determined to be 61,696+/-5 and 60,679+/-5 cm(-1), which are less than that of indole by 895 and 1912 cm(-1), respectively. Comparing these data with those of 1-methylindole and indole suggests that the methyl substitution on the pyrrole part leads to a greater redshift in the IE than on the benzene part. These experimental findings are well supported by the theoretical calculations. Analysis on these new data shows that many active vibrations of the 5MI cation are related to the CH(3) torsion and in-plane ring bending vibrations. In contrast, the observed vibrational bands of the 3MI cation are very weak due to unfavorable Franck-Condon transition.