Matrix Infrared Spectra Research Articles

Boron-Mediated C–C and C≡N Bond Cleavage of Acetonitrile: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Theoretical Calculations

The reactions of laser-ablated B atoms with acetonitrile in 4 K solid neon have been investigated by matrix-isolation infrared spectra, and new products have been identified by 10B, D, and 13C isotopic substitutions and quantum chemical calculations. The side-on complex B-η2-(NC)-CH3 was observed during deposition and isomerized to NCBCH3, CNBCH3, and CNB(H)═CH2, respectively, through C–C bond breakage and hydrogen transfer. For diboron reaction with acetonitrile, the N-end-on complex BBNCCH3 was formed on deposition, which rearranged to HBNC(B)═CH2 and HBNBC═CH2 by λ > 220 nm irradiation. In this reaction pathway, the C≡N triple bond was completely cleaved. The final diboron product HBNBC═CH2 was much more stable than the precursors by 152.0 kcal mol–1 at the CCSD(T)-Full/cc-pVTZ//B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory.

Complex with Linear B–B–B Skeleton Trapped in Dinitrogen Matrix: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Quantum Chemical Calculations

The neutral (NN)-B-B-B-(N2) complex has been trapped in low-temperature dinitrogen matrix and identified by isotopic substitution and theoretical frequency calculations. The linear B-B-B skeleton is stabilized by two inequivalent N2, namely, one end-on and other side-on N2. The structure of linear B-B-B skeleton illustrates much difference from previously reported triangle configuration of B3 clusters. Frontier orbital analysis demonstrates that the σ orbital of end-on NN and the π-bonding orbital of side-on N2 acts as the donor orbital. π bonding character across B-B-B skeleton donates to the antibonding π* orbital of end-on NN and out of phase the B-B-B features π back-donation to antibonding π* orbital of side-on N2. The combination of strong σ-donating capacity coupled with a greater ability for accepting π-back-donation of the N2 ligand leads to the formation of (NN)-B-B-B-(N2) complex with linear B-B-B skeleton. In addition, complexes of (NN)B(NN), (NN)BB(NN), and (NN)B4(NN) have been identified in our experiments.

Activation of H2S by Atomic Cr, Mn, and Fe: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Quantum Chemical Calculations.

Hydrogen sulfide is toxic and corrosive gas abundantly available in nature. The activation of hydrogen sulfide to produce hydrogen and elemental sulfur is of great significance for possible applications in toxic pollutant control and hydrogen energy regeneration. The activation of H2S by transition metal atoms (M = Cr, Mn, and Fe) has been studied by low-temperature matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations. Experimental and theoretical results indicate that the reaction between ground-state M atoms and H2S is inhibited by the repulsive interactions between the reactants. After being excited upon photolysis, the corresponding excited-state M atoms react with H2S molecules spontaneously. The produced insertion product HMSH further decomposed to metal sulfides upon full-arc mercury lamp irradiation by the splitting of hydrogen.

M←NCCH3, M-η2-(NC)-CH3, and CN-M-CH3 Prepared by Reactions of Ce, Sm, Eu, and Lu Atoms with Acetonitrile: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Theoretical Calculations.

The reactions of laser-ablated Ce, Sm, Eu, and Lu atoms with acetonitrile were studied by matrix infrared spectra in a neon matrix, and M←NCCH3, M-η2-(NC)-CH3, and CN-M-CH3 were identified with isotopic substitution and quantum chemical calculations. The major product is the insertion complex (CN-M-CH3), while the end-on and side-on complexes (M←NCCH3 and M-η2-(NC)-CH3) are also trapped in the matrix. The CCN antisymmetric stretching mode for Ce-η2-(NC)-CH3 was observed at 1536.9 cm-1, which is much lower than the same modes observed for other lanthanides. NBO analysis reveals that Ce exhibits a remarkable 4f-orbital contribution in bonding to N and to C, reconfirming an active 4f-orbital contribution of cerium in bonding in the side-on complex, while the 4f contributions of Sm and Eu to the M-N and M-C bonds are much lower and the 4f orbital of Lu is not involved in bonding.

Cyanides, Isocyanides, and Hydrides of Zn, Cd and Hg from Metal Atom and HCN Reactions: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Electronic Structure Calculations.

Zinc and cadmium atoms from laser ablation of the metals and mercury atoms ablated from a dental amalgam target react with HCN in excess argon during deposition at 5 K to form the MCN and MNC molecules and CN radicals. UV irradiation decreases the higher energy ZnNC isomer in favor of the lower energy ZnCN product. Cadmium and mercury atoms produce analogous MCN primary molecules. Laser ablation of metals also produces plume radiation which initiates H‐atom detachment from HCN. The freed H atom can add to CN radical to produce the HNC isomer. The argon matrix also traps the higher energy but more intensely absorbing isocyanide molecules. Further reactions with H atoms generate HMCN and HMNC hydrides, which can be observed by virtue of their C−N stretches and intense M−H stretches. Computational modeling of IR spectra and relative energies guides the identification of reaction products by providing generally reliable frequency differences within the Zn, Cd and Hg family of products, and estimating isotopic shifts using to 13C and 15N isotopic substitution for comparison with experimental data.

Matrix Infrared Spectra, Photochemistry and Density Functional Calculations of Cl--HCCl2, ClHCl-, Cl-ClCCl, and Cl--HCHCl Produced from CHCl3 and CH2Cl2 Exposed to Irradiation from Laser Ablation.

Strong absorptions for Cl--HCCl2 with D and 13C isotopes were observed in the spectra of CHCl3 codeposited with laser-ablated metal atoms, cations, electrons, and vacuum ultraviolet radiation, which shows that the precursor is an effective electron scavenger. The IR spectra, isotopic shifts, and DFT calculations identified the major product as Cl--HCCl2, which is characterized by a strong, broad C-H stretching mode interacting with the overtone of the H-C-Cl bending fundamental. These absorptions decreased on subsequent annealing and photolysis treatments while the ClHCl- absorptions increased, suggesting that dissociation of the chloroform anion generates the stable symmetrical hydrogen dichloride anion as does the reaction of HCl and Cl-. A new set of strong, broad absorptions in the deposition spectra that diminished on the early annealing and photolysis are assigned to the Cl-ClCCl radical isomer. Dominant spectral features in the C-H stretching region for the experiments with CH2Cl2 are assigned to the symmetric C-H and the antisymmetric Cl-H-C-H stretching bands of the methylene chloride anion Cl--HCHCl. The stronger, broader, lower frequency bands are due to the hydrogen-bonded hydrogen stretching, and the weaker, sharper, higher frequency absorptions are due to the terminal C-H bond stretching. Similar experiments with CHBr3 produced absorptions for the analogous Br--HCBr2 and BrHBr- anions.

M-S Multiple Bond in HMSH, H2MS, and HMS Molecules (M = B, Al, Ga): Matrix Infrared Spectra and Theoretical Calculations.

Reaction products of B, Al, and Ga atoms with H2S have been identified in solid argon using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy. The results show that the ground state B atom reaction with H2S gives the H2BS molecule while for the Al atom the HAlSH molecule forms first, which then further isomerizes to H2AlS upon >500 nm irradiation. The reaction of the Ga atom with H2S only takes place upon photolysis to produce HGaSH in the matrix. The assignments of the major modes for these products were confirmed by appropriate 10B, 11B, D2S, and H234S isotopic shifts and theoretical frequency calculations. Topological analysis of the electron density suggests that both HBSH and H2BS molecules possess covalent B-S bond with significant double bond character, while the M-S bond in the heavier group 13 homologues (Al, Ga) was characterized as a polar covalent strong interaction.

Reactions of Laser-Ablated Aluminum Atoms with Cyanogen: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Electronic Structure Calculations for Aluminum Isocyanides Al(NC)1,2,3 and Their Novel Dimers.

Laser-ablated Al atoms react with (CN)2 in excess argon during condensation at 4 K to produce AlNC, Al(NC)2, and Al(NC)3, which were computed (B3LYP) to be 27, 16, and 28 kJ/mol lower in energy, respectively, than their cyanide counterparts. Irradiation at 220-580 nm increased absorptions for the above molecules and the very stable Al(NC)4- anion. Annealing to 30, 35, and 40 K allowed for diffusion and reaction of trapped species and produced new bands for the Al(NC)1,2,3 dimers including a rhombic ring core (C)(AlN)2(C) with C's attached to the N's, a (NC)2Al(II)-Al(II)(NC)2 dimer with a computed Al-Al length of 2.557 Å, and the dibridged Al2(NC)6 molecule with a calculated D2 h structure and rhombic ring core like Al2H6. In contrast, the Al(NC)4- anion was destroyed on annealing presumably due to neutralization by Al+. B3LYP calculations also show that aluminum chlorides form the analogous molecules and dimers. In our search for possible new products, we calculated Al(NC)4 and found it to be a stable molecule, but it was not detected here.

Laser-Ablated U Atom Reactions with (CN)2 to Form UNC, U(NC)2, and U(NC)4: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Quantum Chemical Calculations.

Laser-ablated U atoms react with (CN)2 in excess argon and neon during codeposition at 4 K to form UNC, U(NC)2, and U(NC)4 as the major uranium-bearing products, which are identified from their matrix infrared spectra using cyanogen substituted with 13C and 15N and from quantum chemical calculations. The 12/13CN and C14/15N isotopic frequency ratios computed for the U(NC)1,2,4 molecules agree better with the observed values than those calculated for the U(CN)1,2,4 isomers. Multiplets using mixed isotopic cyanogens reveal the stoichiometries of these products, and the band positions and quantum chemical calculations confirm the isocyanide bonding arrangements, which are 14 and 51 kJ/mol more stable than the cyanide isomers for UNC and U(NC)2, respectively, and 62 kJ/mol for U(NC)4 in the isolated gas phase at the CCSD(T)/CBS level. The studies further demonstrate that the isocyano nitrogen is a better π donor, so it interacts with U(VI) better than carbon. Although the higher isocyanides are more stable than the corresponding cyanides, U(NC)5 and U(NC)6 were not observed here most likely because unfavorable or endothermic routes are required for their production from U(NC)4. The computed U-NC bond dissociation energies decrease from 581 kJ/mol for 4[UNC] to 168 kJ/mol for 1[U(NC)6 ]. The ionic nature of U(NC)n decreases as the number of isocyano groups increases.

Double and Triple Si-H-M Bridge Bonds: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Theoretical Calculations for Reaction Products of Silane with Ti, Zr, and Hf Atoms.

Infrared spectra of matrix isolated dibridged Si(μ-H)2MH2 and tribridged Si(μ-H)3MH molecules (M = Zr and Hf) were observed following the laser-ablated metal atom reactions with SiH4 during condensation in excess argon and neon, but only the latter species was observed with titanium. Assignments of the major vibrational modes, which included terminal MH, MH2 and hydrogen bridge Si-H-M stretching modes, were confirmed by the appropriate SiD4 isotopic shifts and density functional vibrational frequency calculations (B3LYP and BPW91). The Si-H-M hydrogen bridge bond is calculated as weak covalent interaction and compared with the C-H···M agostic interaction in terms of electron localization function (ELF) analysis and noncovalent interaction index (NCI) calculations. Furthermore, the different products of Ti, Zr, and Hf reactions with SiH4 are discussed in detail.

Matrix Infrared Spectra and Quantum Chemical Calculations of Ti, Zr, and Hf Dihydride Phosphinidene and Arsinidene Molecules.

Laser ablated Ti, Zr, and Hf atoms react with phosphine during condensation in excess argon or neon at 4 K to form metal hydride insertion phosphides (H2P-MH) and metal dihydride phosphinidenes (HP═MH2) with metal phosphorus double bonds, which are characterized by their intense metal-hydride stretching frequencies. Both products are formed spontaneously on annealing the solid matrix samples, which suggests that both products are relaxed from the initial higher energy M-PH3 intermediate complex, which is not observed. B3LYP (DFT) calculations show that these phosphinidenes are strongly agostic with acute H-P═M angles in the 60° range, even smaller than those for the analogous methylidenes (carbenes) (CH2═MH2) and in contrast to the almost linear H-N═Ti subunit in the imines (H-N═TiH2). Comparison of calculated agostic and terminal bond lengths and covalent bond radii for HP═TiH2 with computed bond lengths for Al2H6 finds that these strong agostic Ti-H bonds are 18% longer than single covalent bonds, and the bridged bonds in dialane are 10% longer than the terminal Al-H single bonds, which show that these agostic bonds can also be considered as bridged bonds. The analogous arsinidenes (HAs═MH2) have 4° smaller agostic angles and almost the same metal-hydride stretching frequencies and double bond orders. Calculations with fixed H-P-Ti and H-As-Ti angles (170.0°) and Cs symmetry find that electronic energies increased by 36 and 44 kJ/mol, respectively, which provide estimates for the agostic/bridged bonding energies.

Properties of Cerium Hydroxides from Matrix Infrared Spectra and Electronic Structure Calculations.

Reactions of laser ablated cerium atoms with hydrogen peroxide or hydrogen and oxygen mixtures diluted in argon and condensed at 4 K produced the Ce(OH)3 and Ce(OH)2 molecules and Ce(OH)2(+) cation as major products. Additional minor products were identified as the Ce(OH)4, HCeO, and OCeOH molecules. These new species were identified from their matrix infrared spectra with D2O2, D2, and (18)O2 isotopic substitution and correlating observed frequencies with values calculated by density functional theory. We find that the amounts of Ce(OH)3 and of the Ce(OH)2(+) cation increase on UV (λ > 220 nm) photolysis, while Ce(OH)2, Ce(OH)4, and HCeO are photosensitive. The observed major species for Ce are in the +III or +II oxidation state, and the minor product, Ce(OH)4, is in the +IV oxidation state. The calculations for the vibrational frequencies with the B3LYP functional agree well with the experiment. The NBO analysis shows significant backbonding to the metal 4f and 5d orbitals for the closed shell species. Most open shell species have the excess spin in the 4f with paired spin in the 5d due to backbonding. The heats of formation of the observed species were derived from the available data from experiment and the calculated reaction energies. The major products in this study are different from similar reactions for Th where the tetrahydroxide was the major species.

Methane activation by laser-ablated Th atoms: matrix infrared spectra and theoretical investigations of CH₃-Th-H and CH₂═ThH₂.

Methane activation by laser-ablated Th atoms on the triplet potential energy surface produces the methylthorium hydride, CH3-Th-H, that converts smoothly by α-H transfer to CH2-ThH2, which relaxes in the matrix to the more stable singlet methylidene, CH2═ThH2. This first actinide methylidene was characterized from argon matrix infrared spectra and B3LYP calculations in our laboratory. We now report neon matrix investigations, which include the methylthorium hydride and the Th-D stretching modes of CD2═ThD2 that are blue-shifted in neon from under the intense CD4 precursor absorption, and reactions with CH2D2 that give rise to the CHD═ThHD modifications and their α-H and α-D transfer counterparts CD2═ThH2 and CH2═ThD2. New intrinsic reaction coordinate calculations show that this reaction proceeds smoothly on the triplet potential energy surface.

Cyclic M(SO2) (M=Zn, Cd) and its Anions: Matrix Infrared Spectra and DFT Calculations

Reaction of laser ablated zinc and cadmium atoms with SO2 molecules was studied by low temperature matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. Cyclic M(SO2) and anion M(SO2)− (M=Zn, Cd) were produced in excess argon and neon, which were identified by 34SO2 and S18O2 isotopic substitutions. The observed infrared spectra and molecular structures were confirmed by density functional theoretical calculations. Natural charge distributions indicated significant electron transfer from s orbitals of zinc or cadmium metal atom to SO2 ligand and cyclic M(SO2) complexes favored “ion pair” M+(SO2)− formation, which were trapped in low temperature matrices. In addition Zn-O or Cd-O bond in M(SO2) exhibited strong polarized covalent character. Reaction of Hg atom with SO2 was also investigated, but no reaction product was observed, due to the relativistic effect that resulted in the contraction of 6s valence shell and high ionization potential of Hg atom.

Observation of Elusive CF2Cl…Cl in Matrix Infrared Spectra and Density Functional Calculations

, an elusive photo-isomer of , has been observed in matrix IR spectra from the precursors exposed to radiation from laser ablation of transition-metals. Other plausible products, and are not detected due to their considerably higher energies. Parallel to its previously reported analogues, the C-X bonds are considerably stronger than those of the reactant, and particularly the Cl atom that is weakly bound to the residual Cl atom forms an unusually strong carbon-halogen bond. NBO analysis reveals that the C-Cl bond is a true double bond, and the weak bond is largely ionic, . IRC computation reproduces smooth inter-conversion between the reactant and product, and the transition state is energetically close to the product, consistent with its prompt disappearance in the early stage of photolysis.

Agostic Interaction of the Smallest Zirconium Methylidene Hydride: Reproduction of the Distorted Structure Experimentally Observed in Matrix Infrared Spectra

These new breed of metal complexes, small cousins of metal complexes with large ligands, often show unique structures and photochemical properties. Particularly the methylidene complexes often show markedly distorted structures for one of the hydrogen atoms to position close to the metal atom (agostic structure).

Reactions of Laser-Ablated La and Y Atoms with CO: Matrix Infrared Spectra and DFT Calculations of the M(CO)x and MCO+ (M = La, Y; x = 1−4) Molecules

Reactions of laser-ablated lanthanum and yttrium atoms with carbon monoxide molecules in solid neon have been investigated using matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy. The M(CO)x and MCO+ (M = La, Y; x = 1-4) molecules have been formed and identified on the basis of isotopic shifts, mixed isotopic splitting patterns, and CCl4-doping experiments. Density functional theory calculations have been performed on these lanthanum and yttrium carbonyls. The agreement between the experimental and calculated vibrational frequencies, relative absorption intensities, and isotopic shifts substantiates the identification of these carbonyls from the matrix infrared spectrum. The present study reveals that the C-O stretching vibrational frequencies of MCO+ decrease from Sc to La, which indicates an increasing in metal d orbital --> CO pi* back-donation in this series.

Zinc and Cadmium Dihydroxide Molecules: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Theoretical Calculations

Laser-ablated zinc and cadmium atoms were mixed uniformly with H2 and O2 in excess argon or neon and with O2 in pure hydrogen or deuterium during deposition at 8 or 4 K. UV irradiation excites metal atoms to insert into O2 producing OMO molecules (M = Zn, Cd), which react further with H2 to give the metal hydroxides M(OH)2 and HMOH. The M(OH)2 molecules were identified through O-H and M-O stretching modes with appropriate HD, D2, (16,18)O2, and (18)O2 isotopic shifts. The HMOH molecules were characterized by O-H, M-H, and M-O stretching modes and an M-O-H bending mode, which were particularly strong in pure H2/D2. Analogous Zn and Cd atom reactions with H2O2 in excess argon produced the same M(OH)2 absorptions. Density functional theory and MP2 calculations reproduce the IR spectra of these molecules. The bonding of Group 12 metal dihydroxides and comparison to Group 2 dihydroxides are discussed. Although the Group 12 dihydroxide O-H stretching frequencies are lower, calculated charges show that the Group 2 dihydroxide molecules are more ionic.

Irreversible membrane fouling during ultrafiltration of surface water

For more efficient use of membranes, the control of irreversible membrane fouling, which can be defined as fouling requiring chemical reagents to be mitigated, is of importance. In this study, irreversible fouling caused by constituents in surface water was investigated, based on a long-term pilot scale study. The membrane employed was a low-pressure hydrophobic ultrafiltration (UF) membrane made of polysulfone and having a molecular weight cutoff of 750,000 Da. Various chemical reagents were examined to overcome the irreversible fouling that had developed through 5 months of continuous filtration. Among the tested cleaning reagents, alkaline (NaOH) and oxidizing reagent (NaClO) showed good performance in the restoration of membrane permeability, which implied that organic matter played an important role in the development of the irreversible fouling in this study. Chemical analysis, adsorptive fractionation methods, fluorescence excitation–emission matrix (EEM) and Fourie-transformed infra-red (FTIR) spectra analysis were applied to elucidate which fraction of organic matter caused the irreversible fouling. All of the analysis indicated that polysaccharide-like organic matter was responsible for the evolution of the irreversible fouling. In addition to organic matter, presumably iron and manganese also contributed to the irreversible fouling to some extent.

Chromium Hydrides and Dihydrogen Complexes in Solid Neon, Argon, and Hydrogen: Matrix Infrared Spectra and Quantum Chemical Calculations

Reactions of chromium atoms with molecular hydrogen are investigated through matrix-isolation infrared spectroscopy of products and complexes. Laser-ablated chromium atoms react with molecular hydrogen upon condensation in excess neon and argon and in pure hydrogen. The reaction products, CrH, (H2)CrH, CrH2, (H2)CrH2, and (H2)2CrH2 are identified by isotopic substitution (D2, HD, and H2+D2) and comparison with DFT (density functional theory) and MP2 calculations of vibrational fundamentals. The (H2)CrH complex with lower energy than CrH3 is trapped and no band is observed for CrH3. Reactions with H2 and D2 mixtures and with HD give different relative yields of the same mixed isotopic bands, which shows that exchange of dihydride and dihydrogen complex positions occurs in the energized [CrH4]* intermediate in the formation of (H2)CrH2. The major bands at 1529.5 cm-1 for H2 and 1112.2 cm-1 for D2 in neon and at 1521.3 cm-1 in pure hydrogen and 1106.9 cm-1 in pure deuterium are due to (H2)2CrH2 and (D2)2CrD2, respectively, which is the most stable form for chromium hexahydride.