Solid Noble Gas Matrixes Research Articles

Noble Gas-Tungsten Peroxide Complexes in Noble Gas Matrixes: Infrared Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theoretical Study.

The matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results indicate that tungsten oxo and mono-superoxide, WO3 and (η2-O2)WO2, coordinate noble gas atoms in forming noble gas-tungsten oxide complexes. The results showed that both WO3 and (η2-O2)WO2 oxides can coordinate one Ar or Xe atom in solid noble gas matrixes; otherwise, tungsten mono- and dioxides cannot. Hence, the WO3 and (η2-O2)WO2 molecules trapped previously in solid argon noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the WO3(Ar) oxide and (η2-O2)WO2(Ar) peroxide complexes. When annealing, the lighter Ar atom can be replaced by a heavier xenon atom to form WO3(Xe) and (η2-O2)WO2(Xe) complexes. What's more, upon UV photolysis, both Ar and Xe atoms can be replaced by oxygen to form a tungsten disuperoxide (η2-O2)2WO2 complex. The binding energies were predicted to be 25.7, 16.6, 9.4, 14.7, and 8.1 kcal/mol for the (η2-O2)2WO2, WO3(Xe), WO3(Ar), (η2-O2)WO2(Xe), and (η2-O2)WO2(Ar) complexes at the CCSD(T)//M06-2X-D3//def2-TZVP/DGDZVP/SDD level. The substitution law, O2 > Xe > Ar, can be interpreted according to the chemical reaction energies calculated to be -6.6 and +11.0 kcal/mol, respectively, for the equation formulas Xe + (η2-O2)WO2(Ar) = (η2-O2)WO2(Xe) + Ar and O2 + (η2-O2)WO2(Xe) = (η2-O2)2WO2 + Xe at the same level.

Mechanism of the radiation-induced transformations of fluoroform in solid noble gas matrixes

The X-ray induced transformations in the CHF3/Ng systems (Ng=Ne, Ar, Kr or Xe) at 6K were studied by FTIR spectroscopy. The radiation-induced decomposition of CHF3 was found to be rather inefficient in solid xenon with low ionization energy, which suggests primary significance of the positive hole transfer from matrix to the fluoroform molecule. CF3•, :CF2, CHF2• and CF4 were identified as the products of low-temperature radiolysis in all the noble gas matrixes. In addition, the anionic complex HF⋯CF2− was detected in Ne and Ar matrixes. The radiolysis also resulted in formation of noble gas compounds (HArF in argon, HKrF in krypton, and XeF2 in xenon). While XeF2 and HArF were essentially formed directly after irradiation (presumably due to reactions of ’hot’ fluorine atoms), HKrF mainly resulted from annealing of irradiated samples below 20K due to thermally induced mobility of trapped fluorine atoms. In both krypton and xenon matrixes, the thermally induced reactions of F atoms occur at lower temperatures than those of H atoms, while the opposite situation is observed in argon. The mechanisms of the radiation-induced processes and their implications are discussed.

Mechanisms of Radiation-Induced Degradation of CFCl3 and CF2Cl2 in Noble-Gas Matrixes: An Evidence for "Hot" Ionic Channels in the Solid Phase.

The X-ray-induced transformations of simple chlorofluorocarbons (CFCl3 and CF2Cl2) in solid noble-gas matrixes (Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) at 7 K were studied in order to elucidate basic mechanisms of the radiation-chemical degradation with possible implications for stratospheric and extraterrestrial ice chemistry. The decomposition of parent molecules and formation of products were monitored by FTIR spectroscopy, and the identification was supported by ab initio calculations at the CCSD(T) level. It was shown that the ionic reaction channels were predominating in most cases (except for CF2Cl2/Xe system). The primary radical cations (CFCl3+• and CF2Cl2+•) are either stabilized in matrixes or undergo fragmentation to yield the corresponding secondary cations (CFCl2+, CCl3+, CF2Cl+) and halogen atoms. The probability of fragmentation through different channels demonstrates a remarkable matrix dependence, which was explained by the effect of excess energy resulting from the exothermic positive hole transfer from matrix atoms to freon molecules. A qualitative correlation between "hot" ionic fragmentation at low temperatures and gas-phase ion energetics was found. However, dissociative electron attachment leads to formation of neutral radicals (CFCl2• or CF2Cl•) and chloride anions. One more possible way of dissociative electron attachment in the case of CF2Cl2 is formation of CF2•• and Cl2-•. A general scheme of the radiation-induced processes is proposed.

Pentavalent Lanthanide Compounds: Formation and Characterization of Praseodymium(V) Oxides

AbstractThe chemistry of lanthanides (Ln=La–Lu) is dominated by the low‐valent +3 or +2 oxidation state because of the chemical inertness of the valence 4f electrons. The highest known oxidation state of the whole lanthanide series is +4 for Ce, Pr, Nd, Tb, and Dy. We report the formation of the lanthanide oxide species PrO4 and PrO2+ complexes in the gas phase and in a solid noble‐gas matrix. Combined infrared spectroscopic and advanced quantum chemistry studies show that these species have the unprecedented PrV oxidation state, thus demonstrating that the pentavalent state is viable for lanthanide elements in a suitable coordination environment.

Pentavalent Lanthanide Compounds: Formation and Characterization of Praseodymium(V) Oxides.

The chemistry of lanthanides (Ln=La-Lu) is dominated by the low-valent +3 or +2 oxidation state because of the chemical inertness of the valence 4f electrons. The highest known oxidation state of the whole lanthanide series is +4 for Ce, Pr, Nd, Tb, and Dy. We report the formation of the lanthanide oxide species PrO4 and PrO2 (+) complexes in the gas phase and in a solid noble-gas matrix. Combined infrared spectroscopic and advanced quantum chemistry studies show that these species have the unprecedented Pr(V) oxidation state, thus demonstrating that the pentavalent state is viable for lanthanide elements in a suitable coordination environment.

Are matrix isolated species really “isolated”? Infrared spectroscopic and theoretical studies of noble gas-transition metal oxide complexes

In this review, we summarize our recent results on matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic studies and theoretical investigations of noble gas-transition metal oxide complexes. The results show that some transition metal oxide species trapped in solid noble gas matrices are chemically coordinated by one or multiple noble gas atoms forming noble gas complexes and, hence, cannot be regarded as isolated species. Noble gas coordination alters the vibrational frequencies as well as the geometric and electronic structures of transition metal oxide species trapped in solid noble gas matrixes. The interactions between noble gas atoms and transition metal oxides involve ion-induced dipole interactions as well as chemical bonding interactions. Periodic trends in the bonding in these noble gas-transition metal complexes are discussed.

Coordination of niobium and tantalum oxides by Ar, Xe and O 2: Matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and theoretical study of NbO 2(Ng) 2 (Ng = Ar, Xe) and MO 4(X) (M = Nb, Ta; X = Ar, Xe, O 2) in solid argon

The combination of matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results indicate that the NbO 2 molecule is coordinated by two noble gas atoms in forming the NbO 2(Ng) 2 (Ng = Ar, Xe) complexes in solid noble gas matrixes. In contrast, the TaO 2 molecule is not able to form similar noble gas complex. The niobium and tantalum dioxides further react with dioxygen to form the side-on bonded superoxo-dioxide complexes MO 4 (M = Nb, Ta), which are coordinated by one argon atom in solid argon matrix. The coordinated Ar atom in MO 4(Ar) can be replaced by O 2 or Xe in forming the MO 6 and MO 4(Xe) complexes. The results indicate that the NbO 2, NbO 4 and TaO 4 molecules trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the NbO 2(Ng) 2 and MO 4(Ng) (Ng = Ar, Xe; M = Nb, Ta) complexes instead of “isolated” metal oxide species.

Spectroscopy of low-energy atoms released from a solid noble-gas matrix: Proposal for a trap-loading technique

We have studied the velocity distribution of chromium atoms released from a solid neon matrix at cryogenic temperatures via Doppler spectroscopy. The Ne matrix is grown by directing a small flux of gas onto a cold substrate, while Cr atoms are simultaneously implanted by laser ablation, with the resultant plume directed toward the growing matrix. The atoms are then released by a heat pulse. We have observed neutral Cr atoms at temperatures around $13\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ with densities close to ${10}^{12}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. The released atoms have a large initial drift velocity, explained by simple kinetic theory arguments, due to the light species' drag force. The scheme could be adapted to produce cryogenic beams of atoms, molecules, and possibly ions, for collisional studies and spectroscopy. However, our main motivation was the construction of a hydrogen trap, and here we discuss the prospects and problems of using this technique for this purpose.

Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study of Noble Gas Coordinated Rhodium−Dioxygen Complexes

Reactions of rhodium atoms with dioxygen molecules in solid argon have been investigated using matrix isolation infrared absorption spectroscopy. The rhodium-dioxygen complexes, Rh(eta2-O2), Rh(eta2-O2)2, and Rh(eta2-O2)2(eta1-OO), are produced spontaneously on annealing. The Rh(eta2-O2) complex rearranges to the inserted RhO2 molecule under visible light irradiation. Experiments doped with xenon in argon show that the rhodium-dioxygen complexes are coordinated by one or two noble gas atoms in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the Rh(eta2-O2), Rh(eta2-O2)2, and Rh(eta2-O2)2(eta1-OO) molecules trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the Rh(eta2-O2)(Ng)2, Rh(eta2-O2)2(Ng)2, and Rh(eta2-O2)2(eta1-OO)(Ng) (Ng = Ar or Xe) complexes. The product absorptions are identified on the basis of isotopic substitution and density functional theory calculations.

Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study of NgMO (Ng: Ar, Kr, Xe; M: Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) Complexes.

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Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study of NgMO (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe; M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) Complexes

The matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results indicate that late transition metal monoxides CrO through NiO coordinate one noble gas atom in forming the NgMO complexes (Ng = Ar, Kr, Xe; M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni) in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the late transition metal monoxides previously characterized in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the NgMO complexes, which were predicted to be linear. The M-Ng bond distances decrease, while the M-Ng binding energies increase from NgCrO to NgNiO. In contrast, the early transition metal monoxides, ScO, TiO, and VO, are not able to form similar noble gas atom complexes.

Noble Gas−Transition-Metal Complexes: Coordination of VO2 and VO4 by Ar and Xe Atoms in Solid Noble Gas Matrixes

The matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results indicate that vanadium oxides, VO2 and VO4, coordinate noble gas atoms in forming noble gas complexes. The results showed that VO2 coordinates two Ar or Xe atoms and that VO4 coordinates one Ar or Xe atom in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the VO2 and VO4 molecules trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the VO2(Ng)2 and VO4(Ng) (Ng = Ar or Xe) complexes. The total V-Ng binding energies were predicted to be 12.8, 18.2, 5.0, and 7.3 kcal/mol, respectively, for the VO2(Ar)2, VO2(Xe)2, VO4(Ar), and VO4(Xe) complexes at the CCSD(T)//B3LYP level of theory.

Coordination of ScO+ and YO+ by Multiple Ar, Kr, and Xe Atoms in Noble Gas Matrixes: A Matrix Isolation Infrared Spectroscopic and Theoretical Study

The combination of matrix isolation infrared spectroscopic and quantum chemical calculation results provide strong evidence that scandium and yttrium monoxide cations, ScO+ and YO+, coordinate multiple noble gas atoms in forming noble gas complexes. The results showed that ScO+ coordinates five Ar, Kr, or Xe atoms, and YO+ coordinates six Ar or Kr and five Xe atoms in solid noble gas matrixes. Hence, the ScO+ and YO+ cations trapped in solid noble gas matrixes should be regarded as the [ScO(Ng)5]+ (Ng = Ar, Kr, or Xe), [YO(Ng)6]+ (Ng = Ar or Kr) or [YO(Xe)5]+ complexes. Experiments with dilute krypton or xenon in argon or krypton in xenon produced new IR bands, which are due to the stepwise formation of the [ScO(Ar)(5-n)(Kr)n]+, [ScO(Kr)(5-n)(Xe)n]+ (n = 1-5), [YO(Ar)(6-n)(Kr)n]+ (n = 1-6), and [YO(Ar)(6-n)(Xe)n]+ (n = 1-4) complexes.

ChemInform Abstract: Molecular Aluminum Trihydride, AlH3: Generation in a Solid Noble Gas Matrix and Characterisation by Its Infrared Spectrum and ab initio Calculations.

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Molecular aluminium trihydride, AlH3: generation in a solid noble gas matrix and characterisation by its infrared spectrum and Ab initio calculations

Broad-band photolysis of a solid noble gas matrix containing Al atoms and H2 gives rise to the planar, monomericAlH3 molecule, isotopically natural and deuteriated forms of which have been characterised by their IR spectra; confirmation is afforded by the results of MP2 ab initio and normal coordinate analysis calculations.

Molecular properties of FeCO as derived from AB initio molecular orbital calculations

We have performed ab initio all-electron and pseudopotential MO calculations on FeCO with varying degrees of sophistication in the basis sets as well as in the calculational procedures. Basis sets with at least double zeta representation for valence orbitals as well as inclusion of correlation corrections in the MO calculations are the minimum requirements in order to arrive at a clear decision about the electronic ground state of FeCO. In contradiction to the suggestion given by Guenzburger et al. [23] we derive from total energy considerations and from comparing experimental and calculated C−O stretching force constants that the ground state is a spin-quintet (5∑−) and not a spin-triplet. Our calculated quadrupole splitting for MO equilibrium geometry of FeCO5∑− deviates by about 25% from the value which was observed by Peden et al. [1] for FeCO in solid noble gas. However, the calculated electronic configuration of iron within FeCO5∑− of about 3d6.44s0.8 is far from 3d64s2, which approximately is expected for FeCO when comparing isomer shifts of FeCO and Fe, both matrix-isolated in solid noble gas, i.e. −0.60 mm/s and −0.75 mm/s, respectively. Thus, at the moment the question remains open to what extent the molecular properties of FeCO are affected by the solid noble gas matrix.

Optical properties of Cu dispersed in solid Xe

We have studied the optical properties of copper dispersed in a solid noble gas matrix in the neighbourhood of the metal-insulator transition.