Microwave andab initiostudies of rare gas–methane van der Waals complexes

Ab initio 3D potential energy and dipole moment surfaces for the CH4-Ar complex: Collision-induced intensity and dimer content

We present new three-dimensional potential energy surface (PES) and dipole moment surfaces (DMSs) for the CH4-Ar van der Waals system. Ab initio calculations of the PES and DMS were carried out using the closed-shell single- and double-excitation coupled cluster approach with non-iterative perturbative treatment of triple excitations. The augmented correlation-consistent aug-cc-pVXZ (X = D,T,Q) basis sets were employed, and the energies obtained were then extrapolated to the complete basis set limit. The dipole moment surface was obtained using aug-cc-pVTZ basis set augmented with mid-bond functions for better description of exchange interactions. The second mixed virial coefficient was calculated and compared to available experimental data. The equilibrium constant for true dimer formation was calculated using classical partition function based on the knowledge of ab initio PES. Temperature variations of the zeroth spectral moment of the rototranslational collision-induced band as well as its true dimer constituent were traced with the use of the Boltzmann-weighted squared induced dipole properly integrated over respective phase space domains. Height profiles for N2-N2, N2-H2, CH4-N2, (CH4)2, and CH4-Ar true bound dimers in Titan's atmosphere were calculated with the use of reliable ab initio  PESs.

H2O–CH4and H2S–CH4complexes: a direct comparison through molecular beam experiments and ab initio calculations

Electron density redistribution upon the formation of the water–methane complex arises from polarisation and charge transfer effects.

Ab initio calculations of the Ar-ethane intermolecular potential energy surface using bond function basis sets

The intermolecular potential energy surface (PES) of argon with ethane has been studied by ab initio calculations at the levels of second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation (MP2) theory and coupled-cluster theory with single, double, and noniterative triple configurations (CCSD(T)) using a series of augmented correlation-consistent basis sets. Two sets of bond functions, bf1 (3s3p2d) and bf2 (6s6p4d2f), have been added to the basis sets to show a dramatic and systematic improvement in the convergence of the entire PES. The PES of Ar-ethane is characterized by a global minimum at a near T-shaped configuration with a well depth of 0.611 kcal mol(-1), a second minimum at a collinear configuration with a well depth of 0.456 kcal mol(-1), and a saddle point connecting the two minima. It is shown that an augmented correlation-consistent basis set with a set of bond functions, either bf1 or bf2, can effectively produce results equivalent to the next larger augmented correlation-consistent basis set, that is, aug-cc-pVDZ-bf1 ≈ aug-cc-pVTZ, aug-cc-pVTZ-bf1 ≈ aug-cc-pVQZ. Very importantly, the use of bond functions improves the PES globally, resulting accurate potential anisotropy. Finally, MP2 method is inadequate for accurate calculations, because it gives a potentially overestimated well depth and, more seriously, a poor potential anisotropy.

Study of the Xe-NH3 van der Waals complex: high-resolution microwave spectra and ab initio calculations

An ab initio potential energy surface of the Xe-NH(3) van der Waals complex was constructed at the coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and pertubatively included triple excitations. The small-core pseudopotential and augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple-zeta basis set was used for the Xe atom and Dunning's augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta basis set for the other atoms. The basis sets were supplemented with midbond functions. Rotational spectra of the Xe-NH(3) van der Waals complex were recorded using a pulsed-nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Rotational transitions within two internal rotor states, namely, the Sigma0(0) and Pi1(1) (lower) states, were measured and assigned to the Xe-(14)NH(3) and Xe-(15)NH(3) isotopologues. For the deuterated isotopologues, only the Sigma0(0) states were observed. Two inversion components were observed for each state except for the "s" component of the Sigma0(0) state of the Xe-(14)NH(3) and Xe-(15)NH(3) isotopologues, which has a spin statistical weight of zero. Nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structures arising from the (14)N (nuclear spin angular momentum quantum number I=1) and (131)Xe (I=32) nuclei were detected and analyzed. The observed spectra suggest that the Pi1(1) (lower) state has lower energy than the unobserved Sigma1(1) state, in contrast to the case of Ar-NH(3).

Rotational spectroscopy and molecular structure of the 1,1-difluoroethylene-acetylene complex

Fourier transform microwave, rotational spectra in the 6-21 GHz region are obtained for the complex formed between 1,1-difluoroethylene and acetylene, including the normal isotopomer and each singly substituted (13)C species along with complexes derived from commercially available isotopic varieties of acetylene (HCCD, DCCD, and H(13)C(13)CH). Although two possible planar structures are consistent with the rotational constants derived from analysis of the spectra, ab initio calculations, as well as chemical intuition, support only one of the two as the structure of the complex. Nuclear quadrupole coupling constants for D-containing species show no evidence of electric field gradient perturbation and are consistent with the structures obtained from inertial data. The primary interaction between the two molecules is a 2.646(11) A hydrogen bond with acetylene as the donor and a 1,1-difluoroethylene fluorine as the acceptor that forms a 122.41(79) degrees C-Fcdots, three dots, centeredH angle. A secondary interaction between the acetylenic bond and the difluoroethylene hydrogen atom cis to the acceptor fluorine atom causes the hydrogen bond to deviate 53.25(24) degrees from linearity. Structural comparisons with the related complex, 1,1-difluoroethylene-hydrogen chloride [Z. Kisiel et al., J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. 88, 3385 (1992)], suggest that the hydrogen bond in the acetylene complex is weaker, whereas comparisons with vinyl fluoride-acetylene [G. C. Cole and A. C. Legon, Chem. Phys. Lett. 369, 31 (2003)] indicate that the fluorine atoms in 1,1-difluoroethylene are less basic than the one in vinyl fluoride.

Theoretical Study of the Ar−, Kr−, and Xe−CH4, −CF4 Intermolecular Potential-Energy Surfaces

We present a theoretical study of the intermolecular potentials for the Ar, Kr, and Xe-CH4, -CF4 systems. The potential-energy surfaces of these systems have been calculated utilizing second-order Möller-Plesset perturbation theory and coupled-cluster theory in combination with correlation-consistent basis sets (aug-cc-pvnz; n = d, t, q). The calculations show that the stabilizing interactions between the rare gases and the molecules are slightly larger for CF4 than for CH4. Moreover, the rare-gas-CX4 (X = H, F) potentials are more attractive for Xe than for Kr and Ar. Our highest quality ab initio data (focal-point-CCSD(T) extrapolated to the complete basis set limit) have been used to develop pairwise analytical potentials for rare-gas-hydrocarbon (-fluorocarbon) systems. These potentials can be applied in classical-trajectory studies of rare gases interacting with hydrocarbon surfaces.

Microwave andab initiostudies of the Xe–CH4 van der Waals complex

An ab initio potential-energy surface of the Xe-CH4 van der Waals complex was constructed at the coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and perturbatively included triple excitations. The recently developed small-core pseudopotential and augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple-zeta basis set was used for the xenon atom and Dunning's augmented correlation-consistent polarized valence triple-zeta basis set for the other atoms. The basis sets were supplemented with bond functions. Dipole moments were also calculated at various configurations. Rotational spectra of the Xe-CH4 van der Waals complex were recorded using a pulsed-nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. The isotopomers studied include those of CH4,13CH4,CD4,CH3D, and CHD3 with the five most abundant Xe isotopes. Transitions within three internal rotor states, namely, the j=0,K=0; j=1,K=0; and j=2,K=1 states, were observed and assigned. Nuclear quadrupole hyperfine structures due to the presence of 131Xe(I=3/2) were detected and analyzed. It was found that the j=1,K=0 state is perturbed by a Coriolis interaction with a nearby j=1,K=1 state. For isotopomers containing CH3D and CHD3, the j=2 states are no longer metastable and could not be observed. The spectroscopic results were used to derive structural and dynamical information of the Xe-CH4 complex.

Electronic spectroscopy of the deuterated isotopomers of the NO∙methane molecular complex

The molecular complexes formed between a nitric oxide molecule and the various deuterated isotopomers of the methane molecule have been studied in a supersonic jet expansion. The electronic spectrum arising from the transition corresponding to a 3s<--pi* excitation (approximately A (2)Sigma(+)<-- approximately X (2)Pi) located on the NO chromophore has been recorded employing resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization spectroscopy, with each of CH(4), CH(3)D, CH(2)D(2), CHD(3), and CD(4) as the complexing partner. Rich spectra are obtained, whose appearance changes in a systematic way as the amount of deuteration increases. Unexpectedly, it was possible to record spectra not only in the parent mass channel, but also in various fragment channels; this also led to the identification of some O atom resonances; and their origin is discussed. Discussion is presented of the structure in the spectra, and its possible sources including hindered internal rotation of the methane and NO moieties, overall rotation of the complex, and tunneling. In addition, some guidance has been gleaned from ab initio calculations, and these are discussed in the light of the experimental results.

Trajectory Dynamics Study of the Ar + CH4Dissociation Reaction at High Temperatures: the Importance of Zero-Point-Energy Effects

Large-scale classical trajectory calculations have been performed to study the reaction Ar + CH4--> CH3 +H + Ar in the temperature range 2500 < or = T/K < or = 4500. The potential energy surface used for ArCH4 is the sum of the nonbonding pairwise potentials of Hase and collaborators (J. Chem. Phys. 2001, 114, 535) that models the intermolecular interaction and the CH4 intramolecular potential of Duchovic et al. (J. Phys. Chem. 1984, 88, 1339), which has been modified to account for the H-H repulsion at small bending angles. The thermal rate coefficient has been calculated, and the zero-point energy (ZPE) of the CH3 product molecule has been taken into account in the analysis of the results; also, two approaches have been applied for discarding predissociative trajectories. In both cases, good agreement is observed between the experimental and trajectory results after imposing the ZPE of CH3. The energy-transfer parameters have also been obtained from trajectory calculations and compared with available values estimated from experiment using the master equation formalism; in general, the agreement is good.

Microwave investigation of the CO-CH4 van der Waals complex

Rotational spectra of eight isotopomers of the weakly bound van der Waals complex CO-CH4 were recorded in the frequency range from 4 to 19 GHz using a pulsed molecular beam Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. For the isotopomers containing methane monomers of Td symmetry, namely, 12C16O-12CH4, 12C16O-13CH4, 12C16O-12CD4, 13C16O-12CH4, and 13C18O-12CH4, three rotational progressions were observed that correlate to the jm=0, 1, and 2 rotational levels of free methane. For those containing partially deuterated methane monomers with C3V symmetry, namely, 12C16O-12CH3D and 12C16O-12CHD3, only two progressions were recorded, correlating to the jk=0(0) and 1(1) rotational levels of free CH3D and CHD3, respectively. The van der Waals bond distance R, intermolecular stretching frequency nus, and the corresponding stretching force constant ks were derived from the obtained spectroscopic results. The results obtained for the jm=0 ground state are compared to the previous infrared and millimeter wave data. A 17O nuclear quadrupole coupling constant was determined from the resolved hyperfine structure of 13C17O-12CH4 and was used to obtain angular information about the carbon monoxide subunit. A Coriolis interaction was deduced from the irregular spectral pattern involving levels with jm=1. Qualitative information about the extent of the perturbation was obtained from a comparison of spectroscopic constants of different isotopomers.