Spectroscopy and electronic structure of the hypermetallic oxide, MgOMg.

Electronic spectra for the hypermetallic oxide MgOMg have been observed in the 21 100 cm-1-24 000 cm-1 spectral range using laser induced fluorescence and two-photon resonantly enhanced ionization techniques. Rotationally resolved data confirmed the prediction of a X̃1Σg + ground state. The spectrum was highly congested due to the optical activity of a low-frequency bending mode and the presence of three isotopologues with significant natural abundances. Ab initio calculations predict a bent equilibrium structure for the Ã1B2 upper state, consistent with the observation of a long progression of the bending vibration mode. However, the vibrational intervals were not reproduced by the theoretical calculations. In part, this discrepancy is attributed to strong vibronic coupling between multiple electronically excited states. Two-photon ionization measurements were used to determine an ionization energy of 6.5800(25) eV.

Correlated ab initio investigations on the intermolecular and intramolecular potential energy surfaces in the ground electronic state of the O2(-)(X2Πg)-HF(X1Σ+) complex.

This work reports the first highly correlated ab initio study of the intermolecular and intramolecular potential energy surfaces in the ground electronic state of the O(2)(-)(X(2)Π(g))-HF(X(1)Σ(+)) complex. Accurate electronic structure calculations were performed using the coupled cluster method including single and double excitations with addition of the perturbative triples correction [CCSD(T)] with the Dunning's correlation consistent basis sets aug-cc-pVnZ, n = 2-5. Also, the explicitly correlated CCSD(T)-F12a level of theory was employed with the AVnZ basis as well as the Peterson and co-workers VnZ-F12 basis sets with n = 2 and 3. Results of all levels of calculations predicted two equivalent minimum energy structures of planar geometry and C(s) symmetry along the A" surface of the complex, whereas the A' surface is repulsive. Values of the geometrical parameters and the counterpoise corrected dissociation energies (Cp-D(e)) that were calculated using the CCSD(T)-F12a/VnZ-F12 level of theory are in excellent agreement with those obtained from the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV5Z calculations. The minimum energy structure is characterized by a very short hydrogen bond of length of 1.328 Å, with elongation of the HF bond distance in the complex by 0.133 Å, and D(e) value of 32.313 Kcal/mol. Mulliken atomic charges showed that 65% of the negative charge is localized on the hydrogen bonded end of the superoxide radical and the HF unit becomes considerably polarized in the complex. These results suggest that the hydrogen bond is an incipient ionic bond. Exploration of the potential energy surface confirmed the identified minimum and provided support for vibrationally induced intramolecular proton transfer within the complex. The T-shaped geometry that possesses C(2v) symmetry presents a saddle point on the top of the barrier to the in-plane bending of the hydrogen above and below the axis that connects centers of masses of the monomers. The height of this barrier is 7.257 Kcal/mol, which is higher in energy than the hydrogen bending frequency by 909.2 cm(-1). The calculated harmonic oscillator vibrational frequencies showed that the H-F stretch vibrational transition in the complex is redshifted by 2564 cm(-1) and gained significant intensity (by at least a factor of 30) with respect to the transition in the HF monomer. These results make the O(2)(-)-HF complex an excellent prototype for infrared spectroscopic investigations on open-shell complexes with vibrationally induced proton transfer.

Ab initio study of the intermolecular potential energy surface in the ion-induced-dipole hydrogen-bonded O2(-)(X2Πg)-H2(X1Σg(+)) complex.

This work presents the first investigation on the intermolecular potential energy surface of the ground electronic state of the O2(-)(2Πg)-H2(1Σg(+)) complex. High level correlated ab initio calculations were carried out using the Hartree-Fock spin-unrestricted coupled cluster singles and doubles including perturbative triples correction [RHF-UCCSD(T)]/aug-cc-pVXZ levels of calculations, where XZ = DZ, TZ, QZ, and 5Z. Results of full geometry optimization and the intermolecular potential energy surface (IPES) calculations show four equivalent minimum energy structures of L-shaped geometry with Cs symmetry at equilibrium along the 2A″ surface of the complex. For these equilibrium minimum energy structures, the most accurate value for the dissociation energy (De) was calculated as 1407.7 cm(-1), which was obtained by extrapolating the counterpoise (CP) corrected De values to the complete basis set (CBS) limit. This global minimum energy structure is stabilized by an ion-induced-dipole hydrogen bond. Detailed investigations of the IPES show that the collinear structure is unstable, while the C2v geometries present saddle points along the 2A″ surface. The barrier height between the two equivalent structures that differs in whether the hydrogen-bonded hydrogen atom is above or below the axis that connects centers of masses of the H2 and O2(-) moieties within the complex was calculated as 70 cm(-1). This suggests that the complex exhibits large amplitude motion. The barrier height to rotation of the H2 moiety by 180° within the complex is 1020 cm(-1). Anharmonic oscillator calculations predicted a strong H-H stretch fundamental transition at 3807 cm(-1). Results of the current work are expected to stimulate further theoretical and experimental investigations on the nature of intermolecular interactions in complexes that contain the superoxide radical and various closed-shell molecules that model atmospheric and biological molecules. These studies are fundamental to understanding the role of the O2(-) anion in chemistry in the atmosphere and in biological systems.

The intermolecular potential energy surface of the ground electronic state of the O2-H2 complex.

This work presents the first high level correlated ab initio study of the intermolecular potential energy surface of the ground electronic state of the O(2) (X (3)Sigma(g)(-))-H(2)(X) complex. This computational study was carried out using the CCSD(T) level of theory with the aug-cc-pVXZ basis sets, where X = D, T, Q, and 5. All calculated energies were corrected using the BSSE method. The lowest energy geometry and the shape of the intermolecular potential energy surface showed significant dependence on the size of the basis set as well as the BSSE corrections. The most accurate results were obtained using the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVQZ and CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pV5Z combinations with the BSSE corrections. These calculations yield a global minimum of C(2v) symmetry, where internuclear axes of the O(2) and H(2) moieties are parallel to each other. For this geometry, the D(e) value is 65.27(30) cm(-1), which is in excellent agreement with the CBS limit of 65.14 cm(-1). The distance between centers of masses of the H(2) and O(2) monomers within the complex is 3.225(1) A. Barrier heights to rotation of the H(2) and O(2) units by 180 degrees about the axis that connects their centers of masses are 24 and 159 cm(-1), respectively. The current results should stimulate microwave spectroscopic detection of the O(2)-H(2) complex.

Ab initio investigation of the NH(X)-N2 van der Waals complex.

The NH-N(2) van der Waals complex has been examined at the CCSD(T) level of theory using aug-cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. The full basis set superposition error correction was applied. Two minimum energy structures were located for the electronic ground state. The global minimum corresponds to a linear geometry of the complex (NH-N-N), with D(e)=236 cm(-1) and R(c.m.)=4.22 A. The secondary minimum corresponds to a T-shaped geometry of C(2v) symmetry, where the nitrogen atom of the H-N moiety points toward the center of mass of the N(2) unit, aligned with the a-inertial axis of the complex. The binding energy and R(c.m.) value for the secondary minimum were 144 cm(-1) and 3.63 A, respectively. This potential energy surface is consistent with the properties of matrix-isolated NH-N(2), and it is predicted that linear NH-N(2) will be a stable complex in the gas phase at low temperatures.

Correlated ab initio study of the ground electronic state of the O2-HF complex.

In this paper, we present the first correlated ab initio investigations on the ground electronic state of the O(2)-HF complex. Calculations were performed using the CCSD(T) method with the aug-cc-pVDZ and aug-cc-pVTZ basis sets. The results show that there are two equivalent minimum energy hydrogen-bonded structures of planar bent geometry, where the minima correspond to exchange of the oxygen atoms. For each minimum the length of the O-H hydrogen bond is 2.16 A. The best calculated value of D(e) of the equivalent minima is 271 cm(-1). The T-shaped geometry of the complex, with oxygen perpendicular to the axis connecting the center of masses of O(2) and the HF molecule, represents a barrier to tunneling between the equivalent minima. The best estimated value of that barrier height is 217 cm(-1). The linear O-O-HF geometry of the complex represents a saddle point. The calculated geometrical parameters of the minimum energy structure of the complex are in reasonable agreement with the previously reported spectroscopic results. However, results of the current calculations suggest that a full understanding of the fine structures of the observed infrared spectrum of the complex requires the development of an effective Hamiltonian that takes the effects of tunneling into account.

Experimental detection and theoretical characterization of the H2-NHX van der Waals complex.

The H2-NH(X) van der Waals complex has been examined using ab initio theory and detected via fluorescence excitation spectroscopy of the A(3)Pi-X(3)Sigma(-) transition. Electronic structure calculations show that the minimum energy geometry corresponds to collinear H2-NH(X), with a well depth of D(e)=116 cm(-1). The potential-energy surface supports a secondary minimum for a T-shaped geometry, where the H atom of NH points towards the middle of the H2 bond (C(2v) point group). For this geometry the well depth is 73 cm(-1). The laser excitation spectra for the complex show transitions to the H2+NH(A) dissociative continuum. The onset of the continuum establishes a binding energy of D(0)=32+/-2 cm(-1) for H2-NH(X). The fluorescence from bound levels of H2-NH(A) was not detected, most probably due to the rapid reactive decay [H2-NH(A)-->H+NH2]. The complex appears to be a promising candidate for studies of the photoinitiated H2+NH abstraction reaction under conditions were the reactants are prealigned by the van der Waals forces.