Size-dependent reactivity in open shell metal-ion polar solvent clusters: spectroscopic probes of electronic-vibration coupling, oxidation and ionization

Size-dependent H and H2 formation by infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of hydrated vanadium cations, V+(H2O)n, n = 3-51

Infrared spectra of the hydrated vanadium cation (V⁺(H₂O)_n; n = 3–51) were measured in the O–H stretching region employing infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy. Spectral fingerprints, along with size-dependent fragmentation channels, were observed and rationalized by comparing to spectra simulated using density functional theory. Photodissociation leading to water loss was found for cluster sizes n = 3–7, consistent with isomers featuring intact water ligands. Loss of molecular hydrogen was observed as a weak channel starting at n = 8, indicating the advent of inserted isomers, HVOH⁺(H₂O)_n−1. The majority of ions for n = 8, however, are composed of two-dimensional intact isomers, concordant with previous infrared studies on hydrated vanadium. A third channel, loss of atomic hydrogen, is observed weakly for n = 9–11, coinciding with the point at which the H and H₂O calculated binding energies become energetically competitive for intact isomers. A clear and sudden spectral pattern and fragmentation channel intensity at n = 12 suggest a structural change to inserted isomers. The H₂ channel intensity decreases sharply and is not observed for n = 20 and 25–51. IRMPD spectra for clusters sizes n = 15–51 are qualitatively similar indicating no significant structural changes, and are thought to be composed of inserted isomers, consistent with recent electronic spectroscopy experiments.

Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectra of V⁺(H₂O)_n depend on experiment conditions, with strong kinetic shift effects for large clusters.

Infrared spectroscopy of RG-Co+(H2O) complexes (RG = Ar, Ne, He): The role of rare gas "tag" atoms

RG_n-Co⁺(H₂O) cation complexes (RG = Ar, Ne, He) are generated in a supersonic expansion by pulsed laser vaporization. Complexes are mass-selected using a time-of-flight spectrometer and studied with infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy, measuring the respective mass channels corresponding to the elimination of the rare gas "tag" atom. Spectral patterns and theory indicate that the structures of the ions with a single rare gas atom have this bound to the cobalt cation opposite the water moiety in a near-C_2v arrangement. The O-H stretch vibrations of the complex are shifted compared to those of water because of the metal cation charge-transfer interaction; these frequencies also vary systematically with the rare gas atom attached. The efficiencies of photodissociation also vary with the rare gas atoms because of their widely different binding energies to the cobalt cation. The spectrum of the argon complex could only be measured when at least three argon atoms were attached. In the case of the helium complex, the low binding energy allows the spectra to be measured for the low-frequency H-O-H scissors bending mode and for the O-D stretches of the deuterated analog. The partially resolved rotational structure for the antisymmetric O-H and O-D stretches reveals the temperature of these complexes (6 K) and establishes the electronic ground state. The helium complex has the same ³B₁ ground state as the tag-free complex studied previously by Metz and co-workers ["Dissociation energy and electronic and vibrational spectroscopy of Co⁺(H₂O) and its isotopomers," J. Phys. Chem. A 117, 1254 (2013)], but the A rotational constant is contaminated by vibrational averaging from the bending motion of the helium.

Microsolvation of Zn cations: infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of Zn+(H2O)n (n = 2-35)

The structures, along with solvation evolution, of size-selected Zn⁺(H₂O)_n (n = 2-35) complexes have been determined by combining infrared multiple photon photodissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy and density functional theory. The infrared spectra were recorded in the O-H stretching region, revealing varying shifts in band position due to different water binding motifs. Concordant with previous studies, a coordination number of 3 is observed, determined by the sudden appearance of a broad, red-shifted band in the hydrogen bonding region for clusters n > 3. The coordination number of 3 seems to be retained even for the larger clusters, due to incoming ligands experiencing significant repulsion from the Zn⁺ valence 4s electron. Evidence of spectrally distinct single- and double-acceptor sites are presented for medium-sized clusters, 4 ≤n≤ 7, however for larger clusters, n≥ 8, the hydrogen bonding region is dominated by a broad, unresolved band, indicative of the increased number of second and third coordination sphere ligands. No evidence of a solvated, six-fold coordinated Zn²⁺ ion/solvated electron pair is present in the spectra.

Cation-π Complexes of Silver Studied with Photodissociation and Velocity-Map Imaging

Ag⁺(aromatic) ion-molecule complexes of benzene, toluene, or furan are generated in the gas phase by laser vaporization in a supersonic expansion. These ions are mass selected in a time-of-flight spectrometer and studied with ultraviolet laser photodissociation and photofragment imaging. UV laser excitation results in dissociative charge transfer (DCT) for these ions, producing neutral silver atom and the respective aromatic cation as the photofragments. Velocity-map imaging and slice imaging techniques are employed to investigate the kinetic energy release in these photodissociation processes. In each case, DCT produces significant kinetic energy, and evidence is also found for excitation of the internal rovibrational degrees of freedom for the molecular cations. Analysis of the kinetic energy release together with the known ionization energies of silver and the molecular ligands provides new information on the cation-π bond energies.

Microsolvation in V+(H2O)n Clusters Studied with Selected-Ion Infrared Spectroscopy

Gas-phase ion-molecule clusters of the form V⁺(H₂O)_n (n = 1-30) are produced by laser vaporization in a supersonic expansion. These ions are analyzed and mass-selected with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and investigated with infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy. The small clusters (n ≤ 7) are studied with argon tagging, while the larger clusters are studied via the elimination of water molecules. The vibrational spectra for the small clusters include only free O-H stretching vibrations, while larger clusters exhibit redshifted hydrogen bonding vibrations. The spectral patterns reveal that the coordination around V⁺ ions is completed with four water molecules. A symmetric square-planar structure forms for the n = 4 ion, and this becomes the core ion in larger structures. Clusters up to n = 8 have mostly two-dimensional structures, but hydrogen bonding networks evolve to three-dimensional structures in larger clusters. The free O-H vibration of acceptor-acceptor-donor (AAD)-coordinated surface molecules converges to a frequency near that of bulk water by the cluster size of n = 30. However, the splitting of this vibration for AAD- versus AD-coordinated molecules is still different compared to other singly charged or doubly charged cation-water clusters. This indicates that cation identity and charge-site location in the cluster can produce discernable spectral differences for clusters in this size range.

Infrared spectroscopy of solvation in small Zn+ (H2O)n complexes

Singly charged zinc-water cations are produced in a pulsed supersonic expansion source using laser vaporization. Zn(+)(H2O)n (n = 1-4) complexes are mass selected and studied with infrared laser photodissociation spectroscopy, employing the method of argon tagging. Density functional theory (DFT) computations are used to obtain the structures and vibrational frequencies of these complexes and their isomers. Spectra in the O-H stretching region show sharp bands corresponding to the symmetric and asymmetric stretches, whose frequencies are lower than those in the isolated water molecule. Zn(+)(H2O)nAr complexes with n = 1-3 have O-H stretches only in the higher frequency region, indicating direct coordination to the metal. The Zn(+)(H2O)2-4Ar complexes have multiple bands here, indicating the presence of multiple low energy isomers differing in the attachment position of argon. The Zn(+)(H2O)4Ar cluster uniquely exhibits a broad band in the hydrogen bonded stretch region, indicating the presence of a second sphere water molecule. The coordination of the Zn(+)(H2O)n complexes is therefore completed with three water molecules.

Unexpected size distribution of Ba(H2O)n clusters: why is the intensity of the Ba(H2O)1 cluster anomalously low?

An experimental and theoretical study on the reactivity of neutral Ba atoms with water clusters has been conducted to unravel the origin of the irregular intensity pattern observed in one-photon ionization mass spectra of a Ba(H(2)O)(n)/BaOH(H(2)O)(n-1) (n = 1-4) cluster distribution, which was generated in a laser vaporization-supersonic expansion source. The most remarkable irregular feature is the finding for n = 1 of a lower intensity for the Ba(+)(H(2)O)(n) peak with respect to that of BaOH(+)(H(2)O)(n-1), which is opposite to the trend for n = 2-4. Rationalization of the data required consideration of a distinct behavior of ground-state and electronically excited state Ba atoms in inelastic and reactive Ba + (H(2)O)(n) encounters that can occur in the cluster source. Within this picture, the generation of Ba(H(2)O)(n) (n > 1) association products results from stabilizing collisions with atoms of the carrier gas, which are favored by intramolecular vibrational redistribution that operates on the corresponding collision intermediates prior to stabilization; the latter is unlikely to occur for Ba + (H(2)O) encounters. Overall, this interpretation is consistent with additional in-source laser excitation and quenching experiments, which aimed to explore qualitatively the effect of perturbing the Ba atom electronic state population distribution on the observed intensity pattern, as well as with the energetics of various possible reactions for the Ba + H(2)O system that derive from high level ab initio calculations.

Hydrogen formation in the reaction of Zn+ (H2O)n with HCl

Hydrated singly charged zinc cations Zn (H2O)n, n approximately 6-53, were studied by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry. Black-body radiation induced dissociation results exclusively in sequential loss of individual water molecules. In the reaction of Zn+ (H2O)n with gaseous HCl, Zn is oxidized and hydrogen reduced when a second HCl molecule is taken up, leading to the formation of ZnCl+ (HCl)(H2O)n-m cluster ions and evaporation of atomic hydrogen together with m H2O molecules. The results are compared with earlier studies of Mg+ (H2O)n, for which hydrogen formation is already observed without HCl in a characteristic size region. The difference between zinc and magnesium is rationalized with the help of density functional theory calculations, which indicate a distinct difference in the thermochemistry of the reactions involved. The generally accepted hydrated electron model for hydrogen formation in Mg+ (H2O)n is modified for zinc to account for the different reactivity.

Solvation effects on the intracluster elimination channels in M+(L)n, where M+= Mg+ and Ca+, L = CH3OH, and NH3, and n = 2-6

The methanol and ammonia solvated Ca (+) or Mg (+) clusters are known to go through intracluster H or CH 3 eliminations which are typically switched on just below n = 6. By first principles calculations at the B3LYP/6-311+G** level, we have identified the transition structures, activation barriers, and energy changes in these reactions for clusters with 2-6 solvent molecules. The activation barrier is crucial to explain the previously reported experimental results. While increasing number of solvent molecules stabilizes a transition structure, the increasing presence of solvent molecules in the first solvation shell makes it difficult for the metal ion to assist the bond breaking through its interaction with the departing H atom or CH 3 group. The balance of these two factors determines whether a particular elimination channel could be switched on.

Theoretical study on the intracluster elimination channels for Mg+(CH3OH), Ca+(CH3OH), Mg+(NH3), and Ca+(NH3)

The intracluster elimination reactions in solvated alkaline earth metal monocation clusters, M (+)L n , are known to be size-dependent, indicating links between chemical reactivity and the solvation environment controlled by the cluster size. For the methanol and ammonia clusters, there are a number of competing elimination channels involving the breaking of O-H, C-H, O-CH 3, or N-H bond. In this report, we focus on the four clusters with only one solvent molecule and systematically map out the reaction paths and intermediates. The interaction between the metal ion and the departing H atom or CH 3 group varies considerably, depending on the interaction between the metal ion and the remaining group. The understanding of the nature of these interactions and the evaluation of various theoretical levels in treating these reactions provide a solid base for the investigation of the solvation effects on the chemical reactivity of the larger clusters.

Solvation and electronic structures of M+Ln, with M+ = Mg+ and Ca+, L = H2O, CH3OH, and NH3, and n = 1–6

The solvation clusters M+(L)n, with a singly charged alkaline earth cation Mg+ or Ca+ as the solute and with water, methanol, or ammonia as the solvent, are studied systematically in the size range n = 1–6, to compare the variations in the solvation interactions. For clusters with n ≤ 3, the energies and structural values are compared in details, with both the MP2 and B3LYP methods. For clusters with n ≥ 4, the solute–solvent and solvent–solvent interaction energies are calculated to explain the relative stability among various isomeric structures, and the contrast in both solvent and electron distribution among these cluster series. Thermal stabilities for these clusters are also examined by ab initio molecular dynamics simulations at finite temperature.Key words: solvation clusters, ab initio calculations, solute–solvent interactions, size-dependent effects.

Infrared spectroscopy of Cu+(H2O)(n) and Ag+(H2O)(n): coordination and solvation of noble-metal ions

M(+)(H(2)O)(n) and M(+)(H(2)O)(n)Ar ions (M=Cu and Ag) are studied for exploring coordination and solvation structures of noble-metal ions. These species are produced in a laser-vaporization cluster source and probed with infrared (IR) photodissociation spectroscopy in the OH-stretch region using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Density functional theory calculations are also carried out for analyzing the experimental IR spectra. Partially resolved rotational structure observed in the spectrum of Ag(+)(H(2)O)(1) x Ar indicates that the complex is quasilinear in an Ar-Ag(+)-O configuration with the H atoms symmetrically displaced off axis. The spectra of the Ar-tagged M(+)(H(2)O)(2) are consistent with twofold coordination with a linear O-M(+)-O arrangement for these ions, which is stabilized by the s-d hybridization in M(+). Hydrogen bonding between H(2)O molecules is absent in Ag(+)(H(2)O)(3) x Ar but detected in Cu(+)(H(2)O)(3) x Ar through characteristic changes in the position and intensity of the OH-stretch transitions. The third H(2)O attaches directly to Ag(+) in a tricoordinated form, while it occupies a hydrogen-bonding site in the second shell of the dicoordinated Cu(+). The preference of the tricoordination is attributable to the inefficient 5s-4d hybridization in Ag(+), in contrast to the extensive 4s-3d hybridization in Cu(+) which retains the dicoordination. This is most likely because the s-d energy gap of Ag(+) is much larger than that of Cu(+). The fourth H(2)O occupies the second shells of the tricoordinated Ag(+) and the dicoordinated Cu(+), as extensive hydrogen bonding is observed in M(+)(H(2)O)(4) x Ar. Interestingly, the Ag(+)(H(2)O)(4) x Ar ions adopt not only the tricoordinated form but also the dicoordinated forms, which are absent in Ag(+)(H(2)O)(3) x Ar but revived at n=4. Size dependent variations in the spectra of Cu(+)(H(2)O)(n) for n=5-7 provide evidence for the completion of the second shell at n=6, where the dicoordinated Cu(+)(H(2)O)(2) subunit is surrounded by four H(2)O molecules. The gas-phase coordination number of Cu(+) is 2 and the resulting linearly coordinated structure acts as the core of further solvation processes.

Coordination and solvation of copper ion: infrared photodissociation spectroscopy of Cu(+)(NH(3))(n) (n = 3-8)

Coordination and solvation structures of the Cu(+)(NH(3))(n) ions with n = 3-8 are studied by infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the NH-stretch region with the aid of density functional theory calculations. Hydrogen bonding between NH(3) molecules is absent for n = 3, indicating that all NH(3) molecules are bonded directly to Cu(+) in a tri-coordinated form. The first sign of hydrogen bonding is detected at n = 4 through frequency reduction and intensity enhancement of the infrared transitions, implying that at least one NH(3) molecule is placed in the second solvation shell. The spectra of n = 4 and 5 suggest the coexistence of multiple isomers, which have different coordination numbers (2, 3, and 4) or different types of hydrogen-bonding configurations. With increasing n, however, the di-coordinated isomer is of growing importance until becoming predominant at n = 8. These results signify a strong tendency of Cu(+) to adopt the twofold linear coordination, as in the case of Cu(+)(H(2)O)(n).

Hydrated metal ions in the gas phase

Studying metal ion solvation, especially hydration, in the gas phase has developed into a field that is dominated by a tight interaction between experiment and theory. Since the studied species carry charge, mass spectrometry is an indispensable tool in all experiments. Whereas gas-phase coordination chemistry and reactions of bare metal ions are reasonably well understood, systems containing a larger number of solvent molecules are still difficult to understand. This review focuses on the rich chemistry of hydrated metal ions in the gas phase, covering coordination chemistry, charge separation in multiply charged systems, as well as intracluster and ion-molecule reactions. Key ideas of metal ion solvation in the gas phase are illustrated with rare-gas solvated metal ions.

Ionization induced relaxation in solvation structure: A comparison between Na(H2O)n and Na(NH3)n

The constant ionization potential for hydrated sodium clusters Na(H2O)n just beyond n=4, as observed in photoionization experiments, has long been a puzzle in violation of the well-known (n+1)(-1/3) rule that governs the gradual transition in properties from clusters to the bulk. Based on first principles calculations, a link is identified between this puzzle and an important process in solution: the reorganization of the solvation structure after the removal of a charged particle. Na(H2O)n is a prototypical system with a solvated electron coexisting with a solvated sodium ion, and the cluster structure is determined by a balance among three factors: solute-solvent (Na+-H2O), solvent-solvent (H2O-H2O), and electron-solvent (OH{e}HO) interactions. Upon the removal of an electron by photoionization, extensive structural reorganization is induced to reorient OH{e}HO features in the neutral Na(H2O)n for better Na+-H2O and H2O-H2O interactions in the cationic Na+(H2O)n. The large amount of energy released, often reaching 1 eV or more, indicates that experimentally measured ion signals actually come from autoionization via vertical excitation to high Rydberg states below the vertical ionization potential, which induces extensive structural reorganization and the loss of a few solvent molecules. It provides a coherent explanation for all the peculiar features in the ionization experiments, not only for Na(H2O)n but also for Li(H2O)n and Cs(H2O)n. In addition, the contrast between Na(H2O)n and Na(NH3)n experiments is accounted for by the much smaller relaxation energy for Na(NH3)n, for which the structures and energetics are also elucidated.

Photodissociation of Mg+-XCH3 (X=F, Cl, Br, and I) complexes. II. Fragment angular and energy distributions

Angular and energy distributions of photofragments from Mg+-XCH3 (X=F, Cl, Br, and I) were deduced from time-of-flight (TOF) profiles measured by rotating the polarization direction of the dissociation laser with respect to ion beam direction. The TOF profiles of ICH3+ and MgI+ fragment ions produced from Mg+-ICH3 complex with 266 and 355 nm photons showed clear but opposite recoil anisotropy to each other. In addition, BrCH3+ formed by a dissociation of the Mg+-BrCH3 complex at a photolysis wavelength of 266 nm also showed an anisotropic distribution in the TOF profile which had the same behavior as the profile of ICH3+. For Mg+-FCH3 complex, CH3+ and MgF+ formed with a 266 nm photon had also spatial anisotropy, in which the TOF profile of MgF+ was almost opposite to that of MgI+. These anisotropic distributions were explained by (1) local excitation on the Mg+ ion, (2) rapid dissociation compared with a rotational period of the parent complex, and (3) geometrical structures of the parent complexes. Anisotropy beta parameter values were determined to be +1.30(ICH3+), -0.50(MgI+), +0.74(BrCH3+), and +0.75(CH3+ and MgF+). This dependence on the halogen atom observed in beta values was qualitatively explained by both the geometrical parameters and classical rotational periods of parent complexes. In the product energy distribution, 46%, 40%, 21%, 16%, and 16% of available energies were found to be transferred into translational energies of ICH3+, MgI+, BrCH3 +, CH3+, and MgF+, respectively. These values were compared with energy distributions estimated by a statistical prior distribution and a nonstatistical impulsive model. For ICH3+ and MgI+, the translational energies determined from the measurement had values between those estimated from statistical and nonstatistical models. On the other hand, the energy partitioning for the product ions of BrCH3+, CH3+, and MgF+ was found to be almost statistical. From these considerations, we concluded that nonstatistical processes were more important in the dissociation of Mg+-ICH3 than in other systems.

Photodissociation of Mg+–XCH3 (X=F, Cl, Br, and I) complexes. I. Electronic spectra and dissociation pathways

Photodissociation spectra of Mg+-XCH3 (X=F, Cl, Br, and I) complexes have been measured in the ultraviolet region (225-415 nm). Several fragment ions with and without charge transfer (CT), Mg+, XCH3+, MgX+, MgCH3+, CH3+, and X+, were formed by evaporation (intermolecular bond dissociation) and intracluster reaction (intramolecular bond dissociation) via excited electronic states. Branching ratios of these ions were found to depend both on absorption bands and on halogen atoms. The ground states of the complexes were calculated to have geometries in which the Mg atom lies next to X atom of methyl halide molecules. Positive charges of the complexes are confirmed to be almost localized on Mg. Observed absorption bands were assigned to the transitions of the Mg+2P-2S atomic line perturbed by interactions with methyl halide molecules. Branching ratios of fragment ions can be partly explained by the stability of fragment ions and neutral counterparts. From the excited state potential energy curves along the Mg-X bond distance, dissociation reaction after CT was concluded to proceed predissociatively; potential curve crossings between the initially excited states and repulsive CT states may have a crucial role in the formation of CH3+, XCH3+, and X+. In particular, XCH3+ ions were formed via repulsive CT states having a character of electron excitation from Xnp to Mg+3s.

Infrared spectroscopy of Li(NH3)n clusters for n=4–7

Infrared spectra of Li(NH3)(n) clusters as a function of size are reported for the first time. Spectra have been recorded in the N-H stretching region for n=4-->7 using a mass-selective photodissociation technique. For the n=4 cluster, three distinct IR absorption bands are seen over a relatively narrow region, whereas the larger clusters yield additional features at higher frequencies. Ab initio calculations have been carried out in support of these experiments for the specific cases of n=4 and 5 for various isomers of these clusters. The bands observed in the spectrum for Li(NH3)(4) can all be attributed to N-H stretching vibrations from solvent molecules in the first solvation shell. The appearance of higher frequency N-H stretching bands for n > or =5 is assigned to the presence of ammonia molecules located in a second solvent shell. These data provide strong support for previous suggestions, based on gas phase photoionization measurements, that the first solvation shell for Li(NH3)(n) is complete at n=4. They are also consistent with neutron diffraction studies of concentrated lithium/liquid ammonia solutions, where Li(NH3)(4) is found to be the basic structural motif.

Experimental and Computational Studies of Intracomplex Reactions in Mg+(Primary, Secondary Alkylamine) Complexes Induced by Photoexcitation of Mg+

We report herein a comprehensive study of photoinduced reactions in complexes of Mg+ with primary (n-propyl- and isopropylamine) and secondary amines (dipropyl- and diisopropylamine) in the spectral range of 230-440 nm. Similar to the methyl- and ethylamine complexes studied previously, N-H bond activation of these complexes is very unfavorable. Instead, the C(alpha)-C, C-N, and C(alpha)-H bond-cleavage photoproducts are observed after photoexcitation of the Mg+ complexes (3(2)P<--3(2)S). For Mg+(primary amine) complexes, for example, Mg+-NH2CH2CH2CH3, and Mg+-NH2CH(CH3)2, the photoproducts resulting from C(alpha)--C rupture prevail after P(z) and charge-transfer excitations, whereas the Mg+ photofragment is predominant upon P(x,y) excitation. However, with further N-alkyl substitution, as in Mg+(secondary amine) complexes, for example, Mg+-NH(CH2CH2CH3)2 and Mg+-NH[CH(CH3)2]2, a novel intracomplex C-C coupling photoreaction dominates on P(x,y) excitation of Mg+, which is believed to arise from Mg+* insertion into the C-N bond. With P(z) and charge-transfer excitation, the Mg-R elimination photoproducts, arising from C(alpha)-C bond cleavage, predominate. The energetics and possible mechanisms of the intracomplex photoreactions are analyzed in detail with the help of extensive quantum mechanics calculations.

Vibrational Constants and Binding Energies for the Low-Lying Electronic States of Sr+CO2 from Photodissociation Spectroscopy

By use of photodissociation spectroscopy of mass-selected ions, vibrationally resolved electronic spectra of the Sr+ CO2 complex are recorded in two energy regions, 20,780-22,990 and 16,210-17,550 cm(-1), correlating to the Sr+ 5(2)P <-- 5(2)S and 4(2)D <-- 5(2)S transitions, respectively. The spectra are analyzed to obtain the vibrational constants and dissociation energies of the molecular states. The observed spin-orbit splitting indicates a linear complex in agreement with theoretical calculations. The results are compared with similar systems and explained in the framework of electrostatic interactions.

Photodissociation spectroscopy of Zn+(H2O) and Zn+(D2O)

We report on a study of the photodissociation spectroscopy of weakly bound Zn+(H2O) and Zn+(D2O) complexes. The work is supported by ab initio electronic structure calculations of the ground and low-lying excited energy surfaces. We assign two molecular absorption bands in the near UV correlating to Zn+ (4s-4p)-based transitions, and identify vibrational progressions associated with both intermolecular and intramolecular vibrational modes of the cluster. Partially resolved rotational structure is consistent with a C(2V) equilibrium complex geometry. Experimental spectroscopic constants are in very good agreement with ab initio theoretical predictions. Results are compared with previous work on main group and transition metal ion-H2O clusters.

Multiple photofragmentation pathways with different recoil anisotropy from a metal-ion-ligand complex

Spatial recoil anisotropy that is dependent upon the fragment-ion species is reported for the first time for a metal-ion-ligand complex after a single photoexcitation process by linearly polarized light. Upon excitation to the lowest three excited states of Mg+-ICH3, originating from the Mg+2P states, fragment ions of MgI+ and ICH+3 are found to have clear and different angular dependences, which are also characteristic of the excited states. These are explained from the results of theoretical work in that the calculated ground-state complex has a bent structure and further in that each transition dipole moment vector of the complex almost coincides with the Mg+ 3p orbital lobe direction in each case. The fragment ions are concluded to be formed along dissociative potential surfaces which are crossed by the initially excited states, in a much faster process than the rotational period of the complex.

Spectroscopy and reactivity of size-selected Mg[sup +]-ammonia clusters

Photodissociation spectra for mass-selected Mg(+)(NH(3))(n) clusters for n=1 to 7 are reported over the photon energy range from 7000 to 38 500 cm(-1). The singly solvated cluster, which dissociates primarily via a N-H bond cleavage, exhibits a resolved vibrational structure corresponding to two progressions in the intracluster Mg(+)-NH(3) modes. The addition of the second, third, and fourth solvent molecules results in monotonic redshifts that appear to halt near 8500 cm(-1), where a sharp feature in the electronic spectrum is correlated with the formation of a Mg(+)(NH(3))(4) complex with T(d) symmetry and the closing of the first solvation shell. The spectra for the clusters with 5 to 7 solvent molecules strongly resemble that for the tetramer, suggesting that these solvent molecules occupy a second solvation shell. The wavelength-dependent branching-ratio measurements show that increasing the photon energies generally result in the loss of additional solvent molecules but that enhancements for a specific solvent number loss may reveal special stability for the resultant fragments. The majority of the experimental evidence suggests that the decay of these clusters occurs via the internal conversion of the initially excited electronic states to the ground state, followed by dissociation. In the case of the monomer, the selective cleavage of a N-H bond in the solvent suggests that this internal-conversion process may populate regions of the ground-state surface in the vicinity of an insertion complex H-Mg(+)-NH(2), whose existence is predicted by ab initio calculations.