Structure of the ethylene dimer from rotationally resolved near‐infrared spectroscopy: A quadruple hydrogen bond

The Ethylene-Carbon Dioxide Complex and the Double Rotor Model

The infrared spectrum of the weakly bound C₂H₄-CO₂ complex is investigated in the region of the ν₃ fundamental band of CO₂ (≈2350 cm^-1), using a tunable OPO laser source to probe a pulsed supersonic slit jet expansion. The spacing of the various K-subbands in this perpendicular (ΔK = ±1) spectrum is very irregular, and the pattern of irregularity is quite different from that observed previously in another C₂H₄-CO₂ band by Bemish et al. [ J. Chem. Phys. 1995 , 103 , 7788 ]. But by allowing for the different symmetry of the ν₃ (CO₂) upper vibrational state, both results can be strikingly well explained using the "double internal rotor" model as described by Bemish et al.

Ordered phases of ethylene adsorbed on charged fullerenes and their aggregates

In spite of extensive investigations of ethylene adsorbed on graphite, bundles of nanotubes, and crystals of fullerenes, little is known about the existence of commensurate phases; they have escaped detection in almost all previous work. Here we present a combined experimental and theoretical study of ethylene adsorbed on free C₆₀ and its aggregates. The ion yield of [Formula: see text] measured by mass spectrometry reveals a propensity to form a structurally ordered phase on monomers, dimers and trimers of C₆₀ in which all sterically accessible hollow sites over carbon rings are occupied. Presumably the enhancement of the corrugation by the curvature of the fullerene surface favors this phase which is akin to a hypothetical 1 × 1 phase on graphite. Experimental data also reveal the number of molecules in groove sites of the C₆₀ dimer through tetramer. The identity of the sites, adsorption energies and orientations of the adsorbed molecules are determined by molecular dynamics calculations based on quantum chemical potentials, as well as density functional theory. The decrease in orientational order with increasing temperature is also explored in the simulations whereas in the experiment it is impossible to vary the temperature.

Infrared spectra of ethylene clusters: (C2D4)2 and (C2D4)3

Spectra of ethylene dimers and trimers are studied in the ν(11) fundamental band region of C(2)D(4) (≈2200 cm(-1)) using a tuneable quantum cascade laser to probe a pulsed supersonic slit jet expansion. The dimer spectrum is that of a prolate symmetric top perpendicular band, with a distinctive appearance because the A rotational constant is almost exactly equal to six times the B constant. The analysis supports the previously determined cross-shaped dimer structure with D(2d) symmetry. An ethylene trimer has not previously been observed with rotational resolution. The spectrum is that of an oblate symmetric top parallel band. It leads to a proposed trimer structure which is barrel shaped and has C(3h) or C(3) symmetry, with the ethylene monomer C-C axes approximately aligned along the trimer symmetry axis.

Picosecond IR-UV pump–probe spectroscopic study on the vibrational energy flow in isolated molecules and clusters

Intramolecular vibrational energy redistribution (IVR) and vibrational predissociation (VP) from the XH stretching vibrations, where X refers to O or C atom, of aromatic molecules and their hydrogen(H)-bonded clusters are investigated by picosecond time-resolved IR-UV pump probe spectroscopy in a supersonic beam. For bare molecules, we mainly focus on IVR of the OH stretch of phenol. We describe the IVR of the OH stretch by a two-step tier model and examine the effect of the anharmonic coupling strength and the density of states on IVR rate and mechanism by using isotope substitution. In the H-bonded clusters of phenol, we show that the relaxation of the OH stretching vibration can be described by a stepwise process and then discuss which process is sensitive to the H-bonding strength. We discuss the difference/similarity of IVR/VP between the "donor" and the "acceptor" sites in phenol-ethylene cluster by exciting the CH stretch vibrations. Finally, we study the vibrational energy transfer in the isolated molecules having the alkyl chain, namely phenylalcanol (PA). In this system, we measure the rate constant of the vibrational energy transfer between the OH stretch and the vibrations of benzene ring which are connected at the both ends of the alkyl chain. This energy transfer can be called "through-bond IVR". We investigate the three factors which are thought to control the energy transfer rate; (1) "OH <--> next CH(2)" coupling, (2) chain length and (3) conformation. We discuss the energy transfer mechanism in PAs by examining these factors.

De novo design approach based on nanorecognition toward development of functional molecules/materials and nanosensors/nanodevices

For the design of functional molecules and nanodevices, it is very useful to utilize nanorecognition (which is governed mainly by interaction forces such as hydrogen bonding, ionic interaction, π-H/π-π interactions, and metallic interactions) and nanodynamics (involving capture, transport, and release of electrons, photons, or protons). The manifestation of these interaction forces has led us to the design and realization of diverse ionophores/receptors, organic nanotubes, nanowires, molecular mechanical devices, molecular switches, enzyme mimetics, protein folding/unfolding, etc. In this review, we begin with a brief discussion of the interaction forces, followed by some of our representative applications. We discuss ionophores with chemo-sensing capability for biologically important cations and anions and explain how the understanding of hydrogen bonding and π-interactions has led to the design of self-assembled nanotubes from calix[4]hydroquinone (CHQ). The binding study of neutral and cationic transition metals with the redox system of hydroquinone (HQ) and quinone (Q) predicts what kind of nanostructures would form. Finally, we look into the conformational changes between stacked and edge-to-face conformers in π-benzoquinone-benzene complexes controlled by alternating electrochemical potential. The resulting flapping motion illustrates a promising pathway toward the design of mobile nanomechanical devices.

Picosecond IR−UV Pump−Probe Study on the Vibrational Relaxation of Phenol−Ethylene Hydrogen-Bonded Cluster: Difference of Relaxation Route/Rate between the Donor and the Acceptor Site Excitations

Picosecond time-resolved IR-UV pump-probe spectroscopy has been performed to study intracluster vibrational energy redistribution (ICVR) and vibrational predissociation (VP) for the OH and CH stretch vibrations of phenol-ethylene hydrogen-bonded cluster. The transient UV spectra after the picosecond IR pulse excitation of these modes were observed by 1+1 REMPI via S(1) with a picosecond UV pulse. We have focused on the difference of the energy flow routes and their rates between the donor (phenol) and the acceptor (ethylene) site. Though the transient UV spectra showed a similar broad feature for all the vibrations examined, the time profiles exhibited a remarkable site dependence, as well as substantial mode dependence. Especially, we found a large difference in the early stage of the IVR evolution and the rates, whereas the VP rates were very similar.

Rotational and vibrational dynamics of ethylene in helium nanodroplets

Rotationally resolved infrared spectra are reported for the asymmetric C-H stretching fundamental bands of C(2)H(4) in helium nanodroplets, as well as two weak combination bands. The J=2 rotor levels are strongly shifted from the energies estimated from a rigid rotor calculation and can be accounted for with two centrifugal distortion constants. The excited states of the three bands with B(3u) symmetry are strongly coupled in the gas phase and exhibit lifetimes >100 ps in helium, with the upper member of the polyad exhibiting the shortest lifetime. In contrast, the nu(9) band (B(2u) symmetry) exhibits very broad, homogeneously broadened line profiles (full width at half maximum approximately 0.5 cm(-1)) corresponding to an excited state lifetime of approximately 10 ps. This short lifetime is presumed to be due to an efficient, solvent mediated vibration-to-vibration relaxation process. In addition, the absence of transitions to the 2(21) and 2(20) rotor levels in the nu(9) band suggests they form rotational resonances with the elementary modes of helium, resulting in very short excited state lifetimes of less than 2 ps.

Near-infrared spectroscopy of ethylene and ethylene dimer in superfluid helium droplets

The nu(5)+nu(9) spectra of ethylene, C(2)H(4), and its dimer, solvated in helium nanodroplets, have been recorded in the wavelength region near 1.6 microm. The monomer transitions show homogeneous broadening of approximately 0.5 cm(-1), which is interpreted as due to an upper state vibrational relaxation lifetime of approximately 10 ps. Nearly resonant vibrational energy transfer (nu(5)+nu(9)-->2nu(5)) is proposed as the relaxation pathway. The dimer gives a single unresolved absorption feature located 4 cm(-1) to the red of the monomer band origin. The scaling of moments of inertia upon solvation in helium is 1.18 for the monomer and >2.5 for the dimer. In terms of the adiabatic following approximation, this classifies the monomer as a fast rotor and the dimer as a slow rotor.

HIGH RESOLUTION SPECTROSCOPY IN THE GAS PHASE: Even Large Molecules Have Well-Defined Shapes

▪ Abstract  A review of recent high-resolution microwave, infrared, and optical spectroscopy experiments demonstrates that remarkable progress has been made in the past 20 years in determining the equilibrium geometries of large polyatomic molecules and their clusters in the gas phase, and how these geometries change when the photon is absorbed. A special focus is on the dynamical information that can be obtained from such studies, particularly of electronically excited states.