Enormous Hydrogen Bond Strength Enhancement through π-Conjugation Gain: Implications for Enzyme Catalysis.

Surprisingly large resonance-assistance effects may explain how some enzymes form extremely short, strong hydrogen bonds to stabilize reactive oxyanion intermediates and facilitate catalysis. Computational models for several enzymic residue-substrate interactions reveal that when a π-conjugated, hydrogen bond donor (XH) forms a hydrogen bond to a charged substrate (Y-), XH can become significantly more π-electron delocalized, and this "extra" stabilization may boost the [XH···Y-] hydrogen bond strength by ≥15 kcal/mol. This reciprocal relationship departs from the widespread pKa concept (i.e., the idea that short, strong hydrogen bonds form when the interacting moieties have matching pKa values), which has been the rationale for enzymic acid-base reactions. The findings presented here provide new insight into how short, strong hydrogen bonds could form in enzymes.

Computational and photoelectron spectroscopic study of the dipole-bound anions, indole(H2O)1,2 (.).

We report our joint computational and anion photoelectron spectroscopic study of indole-water cluster anions, indole(H2O)1,2 (-). The photoelectron spectra of both cluster anions show the characteristics of dipole-bound anions, and this is confirmed by our theoretical computations. The experimentally determined vertical electron detachment (VDE) energies for indole(H2O)1 (-) and indole(H2O)2 (-) are 144 meV and 251 meV, respectively. The corresponding theoretically determined VDE values for indole(H2O)1 (-) and indole(H2O)2 (-) are 124 meV and 255 meV, respectively. The vibrational features in the photoelectron spectra of these cluster anions are assigned as the vibrations of the water molecule.

Many Mg-Mg bonds form the core of the Mg16Cp*8Br4K cluster anion: the key to a reassessment of the Grignard reagent (GR) formation process?

It caused a sensation eight years ago, when the first room temperature stable molecular compound with a Mg-Mg bond (LMgMgL, L = chelating ligand) containing magnesium in the oxidation state +1 was prepared. Here, we report the preparation of a [Mg16Cp*8Br4K]- cluster anion (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadiene) with 27 Mg-Mg bonds. It has been obtained through the reaction of KCp* with a metastable solution of MgBr in toluene. A highly-resolved Fourier transform mass spectrum (FT-MS) of this cluster anion, brought into vacuum by electrospraying its solution in THF, provides the title cluster's stoichiometry. This Mg16 cluster together with experiments on the metastable solution of MgBr show that: during the formation process of GRs (Grignard reagents) which are involved in most of sophisticated syntheses of organic products, not the highly reactive MgBr radical as often presumed, but instead the metalloid Mg16Cp*8Br4 cluster anion and its related cousins that are the operative intermediates along the pathway from Mg metal to GRs (e.g. Cp*MgBr).

Anion Photoelectron Spectroscopy and CASSCF/CASPT2/RASSI Study of Lan(-) (n = 1, 3-7).

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of small lanthanum clusters. The experimental photoelectron spectra of Lan(-) (n = 1, 3-7) were obtained using negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy. Electron affinities for these clusters were found to be in a range of 0.49 eV (La) to 1.5 eV (La7). Our computational tour de force in exploring the electronic structure and its consequences for the lanthanum atom and its anion as well as for lanthanum trimer and its anion shows the multiconfigurational method and large basis set with spin-orbit corrections: CASSCF/CASPT2/RASSI/ANO-RCC-L level of theory is needed to reproduce experimental accuracy. The most stable structure for La3(-) was established to be an equilateral triangle ((1)A1'). Chemical bonding analysis of the La3(-) global minimum reveals that this is the first experimentally observed species with d-AO double σ and π aromaticity.

Very small "window of opportunity" for generating CO oxidation-active Au(n) on TiO2.

Recent research in heterogeneous catalysis, especially on size-selected model systems under UHV conditions and also in realistic catalytic environments, has proved that it is necessary to think in terms of the exact number of atoms when it comes to catalyst design. This is of utmost importance if the amount of noble metal, gold in particular, is to be reduced for practical reactions like CO oxidation. Here it is shown that on TiO2 only Au6 and Au7 clusters are active for CO oxidation which holds for the single crystal, thin films, and titania clusters deposited on HOPG. Size-selected cluster deposition and TPD methods have been employed to investigate the CO oxidation activity of Aun/TiO2 systems which are compared to recent results reported by Lee et al. to form a consistent picture in which only two species can be regarded as "active". The efficiency of investigated Aun/(TiO2)93/HOPG composite materials is attributed to carbon-assisted oxygen spillover from gold to support particles and across grain boundaries.

Alanate anion, AlH4(-): photoelectron spectrum and computations.

The alanate anion, AlH4(-), was generated in the gas phase using a pulsed arc cluster ionization source. Its photoelectron spectrum was then measured with 193 nm photons. The spectrum consists of a broad feature, spanning electron binding energies from 3.8 eV to over 5.3 eV. This band reflects the photodetachment transitions between the ground state of the AlH4(-) anion and the ground state of its thermodynamically unstable neutral counterpart, AlH4. The vertical detachment energy (VDE) of AlH4(-) was measured to be 4.4 eV. Additionally, VDE values were also computed in a comprehensive theoretical study and compared both with the previously computed value and with our experimentally determined value.

Al6H18: a baby crystal of γ-AlH3.

Using global-minima search methods based on the density functional theory calculations of (AlH(3))(n) (n = 1-8) clusters, we show that the growth pattern of alanes for n ≥ 4 is dominated by structures containing hexa-coordinated Al atoms. This is in contrast to the earlier studies where either linear or ring structures of AlH(3) were predicted to be the preferred structures in which the Al atoms can have a maximum of five-fold coordination. Our calculations also reveal that the Al(6)H(18) cluster, with its hexa-coordination of the Al atoms, resembles the unit-cell of γ-AlH(3), thus Al(6)H(18) is designated as the "baby crystal." The fragmentation energies of the (AlH(3))(n) (n = 2-8) along with the dimerization energies for even n clusters indicate an enhanced stability of the Al(6)H(18) cluster. Both covalent (hybridization) and ionic (charge) contribution to the bonding are the driving factors in stabilizing the isomers containing hexa-coordinated Al atoms.

Gas phase analogs of stable sodium-tin Zintl ions: anion photoelectron spectroscopy and electronic structure.

Mass spectrometry and photoelectron spectroscopy together with first principles theoretical calculations have been used to study the electronic and geometric properties of the following sodium-tin, cluster anion/neutral cluster combinations, (Na(n)Sn(4))(-)/(Na(n)Sn(4)), n = 0-4 and (NaSn(m))(-)/(NaSn(m)), m = 4-7. These synergistic studies found that specific Zintl anions, which are known to occur in condensed Zintl phases, also exist as stable moieties within free clusters. In particular, the cluster anion, (Na(3)Sn(4))(-) is very stable and is characterized as (Na(+))(3)(Sn(4))(-4); its moiety, (Sn(4))(-4) is a classic example of a Zintl anion. In addition, the cluster anion, (NaSn(5))(-) was the most abundant species to be observed in our mass spectrum, and it is characterized as Na(+)(Sn(5))(2-). Its moiety, (Sn(5))(2-) is also known to be present as a Zintl anion in condensed phases.

Superhalogen properties of CumCln clusters: theory and experiment.

Using a combination of density functional theory and anion photoelectron spectroscopy experiment, we have studied the structure and electronic properties of CuCl(n)(-) (n = 1-5) and Cu(2)Cl(n)(-) (n = 2-5) clusters. Prominent peaks in the mass spectrum of these clusters occurring at n = 2, 3, and 4 in CuCl(n)(-) and at n = 3, 4, and 5 in Cu(2)Cl(n)(-) are shown to be associated with the large electron affinities of their neutral clusters that far exceed the value of Cl. While CuCl(n) (n ≥ 2) clusters are conventional superhalogens with a metal atom at the core surrounded by halogen atoms, Cu(2)Cl(n) (n ≥ 3) clusters are also superhalogens but with (CuCl)(2) forming the core. The good agreement between our calculated and measured electron affinities and vertical detachment energies confirm not only the calculated geometries of these superhalogens but also our interpretation of their electronic structure and relative stability.

Ammonia-hydrogen bromide and ammonia-hydrogen iodide complexes: anion photoelectron and ab initio studies.

The ammonia-hydrogen bromide and ammonia-hydrogen iodide, anionic heterodimers were studied by anion photoelectron spectroscopy. In complementary studies, these anions and their neutral counterparts were also investigated via ab initio theory at the coupled cluster level. In both systems, neutral NH(3)...HX dimers were predicted to be linear, hydrogen-bonded complexes, whereas their anionic dimers were found to be proton-transferred species of the form, (NH(4)(+)X(-))(-). Both experimentally measured and theoretically predicted vertical detachment energies (VDE) are in excellent agreement for both systems, with values for (NH(4)(+)Br(-))(-) being 0.65 and 0.67 eV, respectively, and values for (NH(4)(+)I(-))(-) being 0.77 and 0.81 eV, respectively. These systems are discussed in terms of our previous study of (NH(4)(+)Cl(-))(-).

Al13H-: hydrogen atom site selectivity and the shell model.

Using a combination of anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations, we explored the influence of the shell model on H atom site selectivity in Al(13)H(-). Photoelectron spectra revealed that Al(13)H(-) has two anionic isomers and for both of them provided vertical detachment energies (VDEs). Theoretical calculations found that the structures of these anionic isomers differ by the position of the hydrogen atom. In one, the hydrogen atom is radially bonded, while in the other, hydrogen caps a triangular face. VDEs for both anionic isomers as well as other energetic relationships were also calculated. Comparison of the measured versus calculated VDE values permitted the structure of each isomer to be confirmed and correlated with its observed photoelectron spectrum. Shell model, electron-counting considerations correctly predicted the relative stabilities of the anionic isomers and identified the stable structure of neutral Al(13)H.

Negative ions of nitroethane and its clusters.

Valence and dipole-bound negative ions of the nitroethane (NE) molecule and its clusters are studied using photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), Rydberg electron transfer (RET) techniques, and ab initio methods. Valence adiabatic electron affinities (EA(a)s) of NE, C(2)H(5)NO(2), and its clusters, (C(2)H(5)NO(2))(n), n=2-5, are estimated using vibrationally unresolved PES to be 0.3+/-0.2 eV (n=1), 0.9+/-0.2 eV (n=2), 1.5+/-0.2 eV (n=3), 1.9+/-0.2 eV (n=4), and 2.1+/-0.2 eV (n=5). These energies were then used to determine stepwise anion-neutral solvation energies and compared with previous literature values. Vertical detachment energies for (C(2)H(5)NO(2))(n)(-) were also measured to be 0.92+/-0.10 eV (n=1), 1.63+/-0.10 eV (n=2), 2.04+/-0.10 eV (n=3), and 2.3+/-0.1 eV (n=4). RET experiments show that Rydberg electrons can be attached to NE both as dipole-bound and valence bound anion states. The results are similar to those found for nitromethane (NM), where it was argued that the diffuse dipole state act as a "doorway state" to the more tightly bound valence anion. Using previous models for relating the maximum in the RET dependence of the Rydberg effective principle number n(max)(*), the dipole-bound electron affinity is predicted to be approximately 25 meV. However, a close examination of the RET cross section data for NE and a re-examination of such data for NM finds a much broader dependence on n(*) than is seen for RET in conventional dipole bound states and, more importantly, a pronounced [l] dependence is found in n(max)(*) (n(max)(*) increases with [l]). Ab initio calculations agree well with the experimental results apart from the vertical electron affinity value associated with the dipole bound state which is predicted to be 8 meV. Moreover, the calculations help to visualize the dramatic difference in the distributions of the excess electron for dipole-bound and valence states, and suggest that NE clusters form only anions where the excess electron localizes on a single monomer.

Spin conservation accounts for aluminum cluster anion reactivity pattern with O2.

The reactivity pattern of small (approximately 10 to 20 atoms) anionic aluminum clusters with oxygen has posed a long-standing puzzle. Those clusters with an odd number of atoms tend to react much more slowly than their even-numbered counterparts. We used Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry to show that spin conservation straightforwardly accounts for this trend. The reaction rate of odd-numbered clusters increased appreciably when singlet oxygen was used in place of ground-state (triplet) oxygen. Conversely, monohydride clusters AlnH-, in which addition of the hydrogen atom shifts the spin state by converting formerly open-shell structures to closed-shell ones (and vice versa), exhibited an opposing trend: The odd-n hydride clusters reacted more rapidly with triplet oxygen. These findings are supported by theoretical simulations and highlight the general importance of spin selection rules in mediating cluster reactivity.

Magic rule for Al(n)H(m) magic clusters.

Using the electronic shell closure criteria, we propose a new electron counting rule that enables us to predict the size, composition, and structure of many hitherto unknown magic clusters consisting of hydrogen and aluminum atoms. This rule, whose validity is established through a synergy between first-principles calculations and anion-photoelectron spectroscopy experiments, provides a powerful basis for searching magic clusters consisting of hydrogen and simple metal atoms.

Closo-alanes (Al4H4, AlnHn+2, 4

Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory were employed to study aluminum hydride clusters, AlnHm- (4

Unexpected stability of Al4H6: a borane analog?

Whereas boron has many hydrides, aluminum has been thought to exhibit relatively few. A combined anion photoelectron and density functional theory computational study of the Al4H-6 anion and its corresponding neutral, Al4H6, showed that Al4H6 can be understood in terms of the Wade-Mingos rules for electron counting, suggesting that it may be a borane analog. The data support an Al4H6 structure with a distorted tetrahedral aluminum atom framework, four terminal Al-H bonds, and two sets of counter-positioned Al-H-Al bridging bonds. The large gap between the highest occupied and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals found for Al4H6, together with its exceptionally high heat of combustion, further suggests that Al4H6 may be an important energetic material if it can be prepared in bulk.

The ionic KAl13 molecule: a stepping stone to cluster-assembled materials.

Theoretical calculations by Khanna and Jena predicted KAl(13) to be an ionically bonded, cluster-assembled "diatomic molecule," i.e., K(+)Al(13) (-). We have conducted both mass spectral and anion photoelectron spectroscopic studies on KAl(n) (-), finding a "dip" at n=13 in both their mass spectrum and in their electron affinity versus n trend. While these largely qualitative results are consistent with KAl(13) being a salt, they can also be explained in terms of the shell model and thus, by themselves, are not conclusive. Quantitative comparisons between calculated photodetachment transition energies and the photoelectron spectrum of KAl(13) (-), however, allow a strong case to be made for ionic bonding in KAl(13). As a prototype for ionic bonding involving intact Al(13) (-) subunits, KAl(13) may be a stepping stone toward forming ionic, cluster-assembled materials.

Structure and stability of Co(n)(pyridine)(m)- clusters: absence of metal inserted structures.

A synergistic approach combining the experimental photoelectron spectroscopy and theoretical electronic structure studies is used to probe the geometrical structure and the spin magnetic moment of Co(n)(pyridine)(m) (-) clusters. It is predicted that the ground state of Co(pyridine)(-) is a structure where the Co atom is inserted in a CH bond. However, the insertion is marked by a barrier of 0.33 eV that is not overcome under the existing experimental conditions resulting in the formation of a structure where Co occupies a site above the pyridine plane. For Co(2)(pyridine)(-), a ground-state structure is predicted in which the Co(2) diametric moiety is inserted in one of the CH bonds, but again because of a barrier, the structure which matches the photoelectron spectrum is a higher-energy isomer in which the Co(2) moiety is bonded directly to nitrogen on the pyridine ring. In all cases, the Co sites have finite magnetic moments suggesting that the complexes may provide ways of making cluster-based magnetic materials.

Long-range electron binding to quadrupolar molecules.

An excess electron can be bound to a molecule in a very diffuse orbital as a result of the long-range contributions of the molecular electrostatic field. Following a systematic search, we report experimental evidence that quadrupole binding occurs for the trans-succinonitrile molecule (EA=20+/-2 meV), while the gauche-succinonitrile conformer supports a dipole-bound anion state (EA=108+/-10 meV). Theoretical calculations at the DFT/B3LYP level support these interpretations and give electron affinities of 20 and 138 meV, respectively.

Solvated electrons in very small clusters of polar molecules: (HF)(3)(-).

Photoelectron spectra of (HF)(3)(-) reveal coexistence of two anionic isomers with vertical electron detachment energies (VDE) of 0.24 and 0.43 eV. The results of electronic-structure calculations, performed at the coupled cluster level of theory with single, double, and noniterative triple excitations, suggest that the two isomers observed experimentally are an open, zigzag, dipole-bound anion and an asymmetric solvated electron, in which the dipole-bound anion of (HF)(2) is solvated by one HF monomer at the side of the excess electron. The theoretical VDE of 0.21 and 0.44 eV, respectively, are in excellent agreement with the experimental data.