Mass-analyzed Threshold Ionization Spectra Research Articles

Vibrational Spectra and Theoretical Calculations of cis- and trans-3-Fluoro-N-methylaniline in the Neutral (S(0)) and Cationic (D(0)) Ground States.

The mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectra of jet-cooled cis- and trans-3-fluoro-N-methylaniline (3FNMA) were recorded by ionizing via the vibrationless 0(0) and various vibrational levels of the S1 state. The adiabatic ionization energies of cis- and trans-3FNMA are determined to be 61,742 ± 5 and 61,602 ± 5 cm(-1), respectively. In the 0-1800 cm(-1) region, most of the observed vibrations in the D0 state result from the in-plane ring deformation and substituent-sensitive modes. For the high-frequency vibration region, the infrared-ultraviolet double-resonance and autoionization-detected infrared spectroscopies were applied to investigate the N-H and C-H stretching vibrations of bare 3FNMA in the S0 and D0 states. The C-H stretching vibrational information, which we failed to obtain for the bare 3FNMA cation, is complemented by recording the infrared-photodissociation spectra of its Ar cluster cation. It is revealed that a red-shifted frequency and an enhanced intensity are observed for the N-H stretch, while blue-shifted frequencies and greatly decreased intensities are found for both aromatic and the methyl C-H stretches. The blue shift of the C-H stretches is first explained by the balance of two factors, namely, the hyperconjugative interaction and the rehybridization effect. Analysis of the vibrational frequencies reveals a correlation between the relative stability of two rotamers in different electronic states and the relative rigidity of aromatic ring, indicating a mechanism of the long-range interactions "through bond" between the substituents. The density functional theory calculations can well reproduce the vibrational spectra in both S0 and D0 states. With the experimental and theoretical data, the substitution and conformation effects on the properties of 3FNMA in the S0 and D0 states, including the molecular structures, the reactive sites of electrophilic attack, and the vibrational behaviors, were discussed in detail.

Mass-analyzed-threshold-ionization (MATI) spectroscopy of 1,2,3-substituted halogenated benzenes via different intermediate vibrational states in the S1 state

Non-planar geometrical distortion upon excitation (S1 ← S0) and replanarisation upon ionization (D0 ← S1) of some hetero-substituted halogenated benzenes.

One-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy of pyridine: determination of accurate ionization energy and cationic structure.

Ionization energies and cationic structures of pyridine were intensively investigated utilizing one-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy with vacuum ultraviolet radiation generated by four-wave difference frequency mixing in Kr. The present one-photon high-resolution MATI spectrum of pyridine demonstrated a much finer and richer vibrational structure than that of the previously reported two-photon MATI spectrum. From the MATI spectrum and photoionization efficiency curve, the accurate ionization energy of the ionic ground state of pyridine was confidently determined to be 73,570 ± 6 cm(-1) (9.1215 ± 0.0007 eV). The observed spectrum was almost completely assigned by utilizing Franck-Condon factors and vibrational frequencies calculated through adjustments of the geometrical parameters of cationic pyridine at the B3LYP/cc-pVTZ level. A unique feature unveiled through rigorous analysis was the prominent progression of the 10 vibrational mode, which corresponds to in-plane ring bending, and the combination of other totally symmetric fundamentals with the ring bending overtones, which contribute to the geometrical change upon ionization. Notably, the remaining peaks originate from the upper electronic state ((2)A2), as predicted by high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy studies and symmetry-adapted cluster configuration interaction calculations. Based on the quantitatively good agreement between the experimental and calculated results, it was concluded that upon ionization the pyridine cation in the ground electronic state should have a planar structure of C(2v) symmetry through the C-N axis.

Threshold ionization, structural isomers, and electronic states of M₂O₂ (M = Sc, Y, and La).

M2O2 (M = Sc, Y, and La) were synthesized in a pulsed laser-vaporization molecular beam source and studied by mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Adiabatic ionization energies (AIEs) and several vibrational frequencies were measured accurately for the first time from the MATI spectra. Six possible structural isomers of M2O2 were considered in the calculations and the three converged structures were used in the spectral analysis. A planar cyclic structure in D2h point group was predicted to be the most stable one by the theory and observed by the experiment. The cyclic structure is formed by joining two MO2 fragments together through two shared oxygen atoms. In forming the ground state clusters, each metal atom loses two (n - 1)d electrons and as a result, has only one ns electron in the metal-based valence orbital. The ground electronic state of Sc2O2 is (1)A(g), and those of Y2O2 and La2O2 are (3)B(1u). Ionization of both (1)A(g) and (3)B(1u) neutral states yields the (2)A(g) ion state by removing one of the two ns electrons, and the resultant ion has a similar geometry to the neutral cluster. The AIEs of the clusters are 5.5752 (6), 5.2639 (6), 4.5795 (6) eV for M = Sc, Y, and La, respectively. The vibrational frequencies of the observed modes, including O-M and M-M stretches, are in the range of 200-800 cm(-1).

REMPI and MATI spectroscopic study of selected cis and trans 3-chlorostyrene rotamers

The ab initio and DFT calculations predict two stable rotamers, cis and trans, for 3-chlorostyrene in each of the S0, S1 and D0 states. In the two-color resonant two-photon ionization (2C-R2PI) spectra, the band origins of S1←S0 electronic transition of cis and trans 3-chlorostyrene appears respectively at 33766±3 and 34061±3cm−1. The mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectra give the adiabatic ionization energies of 69701±4cm−1 and 69571±4cm−1 for cis and trans rotamers. Within the experimental detection limit, the measured transition energies are the same for both the 35Cl and 37Cl isotopomers. The observed active modes of rotamers in the S1 and D0 states involve mainly the in-plane ring deformation and substituent-sensitive bending vibration. It is derived from the 2C-R2PI and MATI spectroscopic data that the cis rotamer is more stable than the trans rotamer by 218±30, 513±30 and 88±30cm−1 for the S0, S1 and D0 states, respectively.

Rotamers of m-chloroanisole studied by two-color resonant two-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy

We apply the resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI) and mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) techniques to record the vibronic and cation spectra of m-chloroanisole. The vibronic features appear in two series, built on 35,822±2 and 35,868±2cm−1, corresponding to the origins of the S1←S0 electronic transition (E1’s) of the two rotamers. Analysis of the MATI spectra gives the adiabatic ionization energies (IEs) of 67,645±5 and 68,008±5cm−1 for these two isomeric species. Comparing these data with those of anisole, we find that the chlorine substitution at the meta position leads to a red shift in the E1 and a blue shift in the IE. The observed R2PI and MATI bands mainly result from the in-plane ring deformation and substituent-sensitive bending vibrations of these species in the electronically excited S1 and cationic ground D0 states.

Active vibrations of 1-cyanonaphthalene cation studied by mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy

We apply the two-color resonant two-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopic technique to record the cation spectra of 1-cyanonaphthalene via four intermediate vibronic levels. The adiabatic ionization energy is determined to be 69 466±5cm−1. The distinct bands at 416, 472, 516, 669, and 852cm−1 result from in-plane ring deformation vibrations of the cation. Analysis of these MATI spectra suggests that the molecular geometry and vibrational coordinates of the observed vibrations of the cation in the ground D0 state resemble those of the neutral in the electronically excited S1 state.

Full dimensional quantum-mechanical simulations for the vibronic dynamics of difluorobenzene radical cation isomers using the multilayer multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree method

Full dimensional multilayer multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree (ML-MCTDH) calculations of the dynamics of the three difluorobenzene cationic isomers in five lowest-lying doublet electronic states using the ab initio multistate multimode vibronic coupling Hamiltonian (MMVCH) model are carried out using the Heidelberg MCTDH package. The same dynamical problems, but treated with the MCTDH scheme and using a reduced dimensional ab initio MMVCH model, have been previously reported [S. Faraji, H.-D. Meyer, and H. Köppel, "Multistate vibronic interactions in difluorobenzene radical cations. II Quantum dynamical simulations," J. Chem. Phys. 129, 074311 (2008)]. For easy comparison with the reduced dimensional results, 11D or 10D ML-MCTDH calculations are also performed. Extensive ML-MCTDH test calculations are performed to find appropriate ML-MCTDH wavefunction structures (ML-trees), and the convergence of the ML-MCTDH calculations are carefully checked to ensure accurate results. Based on the appropriate ML-trees, the photoelectron (PE) spectrum and the mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectrum are simulated, analyzed, and compared with corresponding experimental spectra. Because of its efficient simulation capability for large systems, ML-MCTDH calculations save a considerable amount of central processing unit (CPU)-time, even when a reduced dimensional MMVCH is used, i.e., the same reduced model as in the corresponding MCTDH calculations. Simulations of the experimental PE spectra by full dimensional ML-MCTDH calculations reproduced main peaks, which originate from different electronic states. The agreement is improved as compared to the reduced dimensionality calculations. Unfortunately, the experimental PE spectra are not very well resolved. Therefore, we compare our calculations additionally with highly resolved MATI spectra, which, however, are only available for the X̃ state. Based on a series of ML-MCTDH simulations with longer propagation time for X̃, a number of vibrational modes, including fundamentals, their combinations, and overtones are simulated and assigned by comparing with the experimental assignments and the ab initio frequencies. Excellent correlation between the experimental and full dimensional ML-MCTDH results show that ML-MCTDH is accurate and very efficient and that the ab initio MMVCH model is very suitable for ML-MCTDH calculations.

Threshold Ionization of Cobaltocene: The Metallocene Molecule Revealing Zero Kinetic Energy States

Playing it cool: The mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectrum of jet-cooled cobaltocene shows a surprisingly rich vibronic structure which provides high-resolution adiabatic (Iad.) and vertical (Ivert.) ionization energies of the neutral molecule, as well as vibrational frequencies of the gas-phase cation. The spectrum is indicative of both Jahn–Teller (JT) and pseudo-Jahn–Teller (PJT) activity in the 19-electron [Cp2Co] sandwich complex.

Mass-analyzed threshold ionization and structural isomers of M3O4 (M = Sc, Y, and La)

M(3)O(4) (M = Sc, Y, and La) were produced in a pulsed laser-vaporization molecular beam source and studied by mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations. Adiabatic ionization energies (AIEs) of the neutral clusters and vibrational frequencies of the cations were measured accurately for the first time from the MATI spectra. Five possible structural isomers of M(3)O(4) were considered in the calculations and spectral analysis. A cage-like structure in C(3v) point group was identified as the most stable one. The structure is formed by fusing three M(2)O(2) fragments together, each sharing two O-M bonds with others. The ground electronic state of the neutral clusters is (2)A(1) with the unpaired electron being largely a metal-based s character. Ionization of the (2)A(1) state yields a (1)A(1) ion state in a similar geometry to the neutral cluster. The AIEs of the clusters are 4.4556 (6), 4.0586(6), and 3.4750(6) eV for M = Sc, Y, and La, respectively. The observed vibrational modes of the cations include metal-oxygen stretching, metal triangle breathing, and oxygen-metal-oxygen rocking in the frequency range of 200-800 cm(-1).

Mass-analyzed threshold ionization of an excited state of lanthanum dioxide

LaO(2) was produced in a pulsed laser-vaporization molecular beam source and studied by mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy and ab initio electronic structure calculations. The calculations included density functional theory, second-order perturbation theory, coupled cluster theory, and complete active space self-consistent field methods. The adiabatic ionization energy of the molecule and vibrational frequencies of the molecule and its cation were measured accurately for the first time from the MATI spectrum. Numerous ionization processes of lanthanum dioxide, peroxide, and superoxide were considered; the (3)B(2) ← (4)B(2) electronic transition of the dioxide was assigned upon comparison with the observed spectrum. The ionization energy and O-La-O bending frequency of the (4)B(2) neutral state are 4.9760 (6) eV and 92 cm(-1), respectively. The La-O stretching and O-La-O bending frequencies of the (3)B(2) cationic state are 656 and 122 cm(-1), respectively. The (4)B(2) state is formed by two electron transfer from lanthanum to oxygen atoms, and the (3)B(2) state is produced by the further removal of a lanthanum 6s-based electron.

Mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy of p-cresol

Experimental setup was developed for carrying out the mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy. Primary objective has been to carry out the vibronic spectroscopy of the novel hydrogen bonded complexes in the cationic state. To this end MATI spectroscopy is best suited for the purpose. This work presents the successful implementation of the same using p-cresol as a test case. This happens to be the prime substrate in most of our studies on weakly hydrogen bonded complexes that are dominated by the dispersion interaction contrary to the electrostatic nature of the conventional hydrogen bonds. The adiabatic ionization potential of p-cresol was determined as 65,904 ± 10 cm−1 which is in good agreement with the previously reported value. The MATI spectrum also shows a few vibronic bands of p-cresol cation.

Vacuum ultraviolet mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy of methylcyclohexane in the supersonic jet

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectrum of supersonically cooled methylcyclohexane has been obtained to give the precise adiabatic ionization energy of 9.6958±0.0025eV for the chair equatorial conformer. Vibrationally resolved MATI spectrum has been analyzed with the aid of density functional theory and Franck–Condon calculations. The MATI spectrum reflects the structural change upon ionization and its origin is discussed by inspecting the shapes of the valence orbitals involved in the ionization process. The spectroscopic implication of the structural interconversion above the certain energy level is discussed with theoretical calculations of molecular structures and energetics.

Electronic states and spin-orbit splitting of lanthanum dimer

Lanthanum dimer (La(2)) was studied by mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy and a series of multi-configuration ab initio calculations. The MATI spectrum exhibits three band systems originating from ionization of the neutral ground electronic state, and each system shows vibrational frequencies of the neutral molecule and singly charged cation. The three ionization processes are La(2)(+) (a(2)∑(g)(+)) ← La(2) (X(1)∑(g)(+)), La(2)(+) (b(2)Π(3/2, u)) ← La(2) (X(1)∑(g)(+)), and La(2)(+) (b(2)Π(1/2, u)) ← La(2) (X(1)∑(g)(+)), with the ionization energies of 39,046, 40,314, and 40,864 cm(-1), respectively. The vibrational frequency of the X(1)Σ(g)(+) state is 207 cm(-1), and those of the a(2)Σ(g)(+), b(2)Π(3/2, u) and b(2)Π(1/2, u) are 235.7, 242.2, and 240 cm(-1). While X(1)Σ(g)(+) is the ground state of the neutral molecule, a(2)Σ(g (+) and b(2)Π(u) are calculated to be the excited states of the cation. The spin-orbit splitting in the b(2)Π(u) ion is 550 cm(-1). An X(4)Σ(g)(-) state of La(2)(+) was predicted by theory, but not observed by the experiment. The determination of a singlet ground state of La(2) shows that lanthanum behaves differently from scandium and yttrium.

Active vibrations of indene cation studied by mass-analyzed threshold ionization spectroscopy

We applied the resonant two-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) technique to cation spectra of indene by ionizing via eight different intermediate vibronic levels. The adiabatic ionization energy was determined to be 65 721 ± 5 cm −1. Most of the pronounced MATI bands result from the active vibrations involving in-plane ring deformation motions of the indene cation. Analysis of these MATI spectra suggests that the molecular geometry of the indene cation in the ground D 0 state resembles that of neutral species in the electronically excited S 1 state.

Multi-state multi-mode nuclear dynamics on three isomers of C6H4F+2 using parallelized TDDVR approach

We have performed molecular dynamics on the three isomers of the difluorobenzene radical cation (C(6)H(4)F(2)(+)) after excitation from the ground state to a specific higher electronically excited state by using our recently implemented parallelized Time-Dependent Discrete Variable Representation (TDDVR) methodology. A five-state eleven-mode realistic model Hamiltonian for o-C(6)H(4)F(2)(+) and two separate five-state ten-mode Hamiltonians for m- and p-isomer of the same radical cation are considered, where those five electronic states are interconnected through several conical intersections in the vicinity of the Franck-Condon (FC) region and thus the dynamics for each case become complex. The photoelectron, mass analyzed threshold ionization spectra and population profiles obtained by using our TDDVR approach show reasonably good agreement with the results obtained by multiconfiguration time dependent Hartree (MCTDH) method. It is worthwhile to mention that the parallelized TDDVR algorithm reduces the computation time by more than an order of magnitude compared to its serial analog and, therefore, such approach appears to be a good compromise between accuracy and speed for a large molecular system.

Mass analyzed threshold ionization spectra of phenol⋯Ar2: ionization energy and cation intermolecular vibrational frequencies

The phenol(+)...Ar(2) complex has been characterized in a supersonic jet by mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy via different intermediate intermolecular vibrational states of the first electronically excited state (S(1)). From the spectra recorded via the S(1)0(0) origin and the S(1)β(x) intermolecular vibrational state, the ionization energy (IE) has been determined as 68,288 ± 5 cm(-1), displaying a red shift of 340 cm(-1) from the IE of the phenol(+) monomer. Well-resolved, nearly harmonic vibrational progressions with a fundamental frequency of 10 cm(-1) have been observed in the ion ground state (D(0)) and assigned to the symmetric van der Waals (vdW) bending mode, β(x), along the x axis containing the C-O bond. MATI spectra recorded via the S(1) state involving other higher-lying intermolecular vibrational states (σ(s)(1), β(x)(3), σ(s)(1)β(x)(1), σ(s)(1)β(x)(2)) are characterized by unresolved broad structures.

Mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy of trichlorobenzenes via different intermediate vibrational states in the S 1 state

Abstract Two color resonant mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy was applied in order to investigate the ionic properties of the structural isomers of trichlorobenzene (TCB) above the ionization threshold. For the first time, vibrational spectra of the 35Cl 3 and 35Cl 2 37Cl isotopomers of 1,2,3-, 1,2,4- and 1,3,5-trichlorobenzene cations in their electronic ground state have been measured via different S 1 intermediate states by mass analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy. Additionally ab initio calculations at DFT (density functional theory) and TDDFT (time-dependent density functional theory) have been performed to compare experimental findings with theory. From the MATI spectra the adiabatic ionization energies of the three isomers 1,2,3-TCB, 1,2,4-TCB and 1,3,5-TCB could be determined to 74289 ± 6 cm −1, 72779 ± 6 cm −1 and 74900 ± 100 cm −1, respectively. Several vibrational modes of the isotopomers have been assigned by comparison of the experimental and theoretical results.

Mass-Analyzed Threshold Ionization Spectroscopy of Ortho Fluorinated 2-Phenylethanol: Identification of an Additional Gauche Conformer

The cationic ground state of the ortho fluorinated 2-phenylethanol has been investigated by combination of mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy and quantum chemistry ab initio density functional theory (DFT) calculations employing the hybrid functional M05 with cc-pVDZ basis set. The MATI spectra measured via vibronic bands in the S1 intermediate state of the most stable gauche conformer stabilized by an intramolecular OH···π hydrogen bond are structureless. The MATI spectrum recorded via a small band blueshifted by 3 cm−1 from the 0(0)(0) electronic origin of the gauche conformer features well-resolved peaks and is assigned to a cationic gauche structure without an OH···π bond. The ab initio calculations are qualitatively consistent with the experimental observations and show that the presumable conformer giving rise to the observed MATI spectrum retains its structure during ionization, whereas the lowest-energy gauche conformer undergoes a significant structural change resulting in a break of the OH···π bond, thus leading to unfavorable Franck−Condon factors for the threshold ionization.

Rotamers of o- and m-Dimethoxybenzenes Studied by Mass-Analyzed Threshold Ionization Spectroscopy and Theoretical Calculations

We applied two-color resonant two-photon mass-analyzed threshold ionization (MATI) spectroscopy to investigate the molecular properties of the selected rotamers of o-dimethoxybenzene (ODMB) and m-dimethoxybenzene (MDMB). The present experimental results show that only one stable configuration is involved in the photoexcitation and ionization processes of ODMB, as predicted by theoretical calculations. The adiabatic ionization energy (IE) of ODMB is measured to be 61 617 ± 5 cm(-1). In the case of MDMB, both our experimental and calculated results suggest that there are three stable rotamers coexisting in the sample. The adiabatic IEs of rotamers a, b, and c are determined to be 63 523 ± 5, 64 491 ± 5, and 63 758 ± 5 cm(-1). Analysis on the MATI spectra shows that most of the active cation vibrations of these isomeric species result from in-plane ring motions. In addition, different orientations of the two OCH(3) groups have little effect on these vibrations.