General methods for the characterization of the nonuniformity of a radiometric calibration source.

The spatial nonuniformity of a radiometric calibration source is key to its performance, uncertainty budget, and utility. Multiple disparate approaches are currently used to assess nonuniformity; thus, it is critical to understand how nonuniformity is calculated when comparing radiometric calibration sources. Two factors are key in assessing nonuniformity: (1) the methodology chosen to calculate the nonuniformity and (2) how the intensity of the light is sampled. Here, we present and compare different methodologies of calculating spatial nonuniformity. In general, we find that these methods can be categorized into two groups: those in which the equations assume a Gaussian population distribution and those in which the equations can be applied to any shape of distribution. Additionally, we compare different methods of sampling the light intensity within the region of interest. We show that peak deviation nonuniformity analysis, in which the pixels of the image of the illumination source are resampled into 69 equally sized bins encompassing the region of interest, can be used to effectively assess the nonuniformity of any radiance distribution. Furthermore, the nonuniformity determined by this method allows for an accurate comparison to industry standard nonuniformity metrics.

Hydroxyl Radical Fluorescence and Quantum Yield Following Lyman-α Photoexcitation of Water Vapor in a Room Temperature Cell and Cooled in a Supersonic Expansion.

Photoexcitation of water by Lyman-α (121.6 nm) induces a dissociation reaction that produces OH(A2Σ+) + H. Despite this reaction being part of numerous studies, a combined understanding of the product and fluorescence yields is still lacking. Here, the rotational and vibrational distributions of OH(A) are determined from dispersed fluorescence following photoexcitation of both room-temperature and jet-cooled water vapor, for the first time in the same experiment. This work compares new data of state-resolved fluorescence with literature molecular branching ratios and brings previous studies into agreement through careful consideration of OH(A) fluorescent and predissociation lifetimes and confirms a fluorescent quantum yield of 8%. Comparison of the room-temperature and jet-cooled OH(A) populations indicate the temperature of H2O prior to excitation has subtle effects on the OH(A) population distribution, such as altering the rotational distribution in the ν' = 0 population and affecting the population in the ν' = 1 state. These results indicate jet-cooled water vapor may have a 1% higher fluorescence quantum yield compared to room-temperature water vapor.

Theoretical and Experimental Insights into the Dissociation of 2-Hydroxyethylhydrazinium Nitrate Clusters Formed via Electrospray.

Ionic liquids are used for myriad applications, including as catalysts, solvents, and propellants. Specifically, 2-hydroxyethylhydrazinium nitrate (HEHN) has been developed as a chemical propellant for space applications. The gas-phase behavior of HEHN ions and clusters is important in understanding its potential as an electrospray thruster propellant. Here, the unimolecular dissociation pathways of two clusters are experimentally observed, and theoretical modeling of hydrogen bonding and dissociation pathways is used to help rationalize those observations. The cation/deprotonated cation cluster [HEH2 - H]+, which is observed from electrospray ionization, is calculated to be considerably more stable than the complementary cation/protonated anion adduct, [HEH + HNO3]+, which is not observed experimentally. Upon collisional activation, a larger cluster [(HEHN)2HEH]+ undergoes dissociation via loss of nitric acid at lower collision energies, as predicted theoretically. At higher collision energies, additional primary and secondary loss pathways open, including deprotonated cation loss, ion-pair loss, and double-nitric-acid loss. Taken together, these experimental and theoretical results contribute to a foundational understanding of the dissociation of protic ionic liquid clusters in the gas phase.

Theoretical Investigation of the Reactivity of Sodium Dicyanamide with Nitric Acid.

There is a need to replace current hydrazine fuels with safer propellants, and dicyanamide (DCA-)-based systems have emerged as promising alternatives because they autoignite when mixed with some oxidizers. Previous studies of the hypergolic reaction mechanism have focused on the reaction between DCA- and the oxidizer HNO3; here, we compare the calculated pathway of DCA- + HNO3 with the reaction coordinate of the ion pair sodium dicyanamide with nitric acid, Na[DCA] + HNO3. Enthalpies and free energies are calculated in the gas phase and in solution using a quantum mechanical continuum solvation model, SMD-GIL. The barriers to the Na[DCA] + HNO3 reaction are dramatically lowered relative to those of the reaction with the bare anion, and an exothermic exit channel to produce NaNO3 and the reactive intermediate HDCA appears. These results suggest that Na[DCA] may accelerate the ignition reaction.

Identification of multiple conformers of the ionic liquid [emim][tf2n] in the gas phase using IR/UV action spectroscopy.

In this study we investigate the effect of deuteration and molecular beam temperature on the hydrogen bond in the ionic liquid [emim][tf2n]. Using IR/UV double resonance spectroscopy, we probe the microscopic structure of the [emim][tf2n] ion pair and its mono-deuterated, [emim-d1][tf2n], analog. Comparisons of the infrared absorption frequencies between these two species show that there are multiple conformers of the ion pair present in the gas phase and trapped through the molecular beam cooling process. Furthermore, each conformer has a characteristic red shift in the frequency of its C2-H group that reveals the variation in strength of a hydrogen bond between the cation and anion.

Electronic states of the quasilinear molecule propargylene (HCCCH) from negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy.

We use gas-phase negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy to study the quasilinear carbene propargylene, HCCCH, and its isotopologue DCCCD. Photodetachment from HCCCH­ affords the X̃(3B) ground state of HCCCH and its ã(1A), b̃ (1B), d̃(1A2), and B̃(3A2) excited states. Extended, negatively anharmonic vibrational progressions in the X̃(3B) ground state and the open-shell singlet b̃ (1B) state arise from the change in geometry between the anion and the neutral states and complicate the assignment of the origin peak. The geometry change arising from electron photodetachment results in excitation of the ν4 symmetric CCH bending mode, with a measured fundamental frequency of 363 ± 57 cm(­1) in the X̃(3B) state. Our calculated harmonic frequency for this mode is 359 cm(­1). The Franck­Condon envelope of this progression cannot be reproduced within the harmonic approximation. The spectra of the ã(1A), d̃(1A2), and B̃(3A2) states are each characterized by a short vibrational progression and a prominent origin peak, establishing that the geometries of the anion and these neutral states are similar. Through comparison of the HCCCH­ and DCCCD­ photoelectron spectra, we measure the electron affinity of HCCCH to be 1.156 ± (0.095)(0.010) eV, with a singlet­triplet splitting between the X̃(3B) and the ã(1A) states of ΔEST = 0.500 ± (0.01)(0.10) eV (11.5 ± (0.2)(2.3) kcal/mol). Experimental term energies of the higher excited states are T0 [b̃(1B)] = 0.94 ± (0.20)(0.22) eV, T0 [d̃(1A2)] = 3.30 ± (0.02)(0.10) eV, T0 [B̃(3A2)] = 3.58 ± (0.02)(0.10) eV. The photoelectron angular distributions show significant π character in all the frontier molecular orbitals, with additional σ character in orbitals that create the X̃(3B) and b̃(1B) states upon electron detachment. These results are consistent with a quasilinear, nonplanar, doubly allylic structure of X̃(3B) HCCCH with both diradical and carbene character.

C-H bond strengths and acidities in aromatic systems: effects of nitrogen incorporation in mono-, di-, and triazines.

The negative ion chemistry of five azine molecules has been investigated using the combined experimental techniques of negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy to obtain electron affinities (EA) and tandem flowing afterglow-selected ion tube (FA-SIFT) mass spectrometry to obtain deprotonation enthalpies (Δ(acid)H(298)). The measured Δ(acid)H(298) for the most acidic site of each azine species is combined with the EA of the corresponding radical in a thermochemical cycle to determine the corresponding C-H bond dissociation energy (BDE). The site-specific C-H BDE values of pyridine, 1,2-diazine, 1,3-diazine, 1,4-diazine, and 1,3,5-triazine are 110.4 ± 2.0, 111.3 ± 0.7, 113.4 ± 0.7, 107.5 ± 0.4, and 107.8 ± 0.7 kcal mol(-1), respectively. The application of complementary experimental methods, along with quantum chemical calculations, to a series of nitrogen-substituted azines sheds light on the influence of nitrogen atom substitution on the strength of C-H bonds in six-membered rings.

Ground and low-lying excited states of propadienylidene (H2C=C=C:) obtained by negative ion photoelectron spectroscopy.

A joint experimental-theoretical study has been carried out on electronic states of propadienylidene (H(2)CCC), using results from negative-ion photoelectron spectroscopy. In addition to the previously characterized X(1)A(1) electronic state, spectroscopic features are observed that belong to five additional states: the low-lying ã(3)B(1) and b(3)A(2) states, as well as two excited singlets, Ã(1)A(2) and B(1)B(1), and a higher-lying triplet, c(3)A(1). Term energies (T(0), in cm(-1)) for the excited states obtained from the data are: 10,354±11 (ã(3)B(1)); 11,950±30 (b(3)A(2)); 20,943±11 (c(3)A(1)); and 13,677±11 (Ã(1)A(2)). Strong vibronic coupling affects the Ã(1)A(2) and B(1)B(1) states as well as ã(3)B(1) and b(3)A(2) and has profound effects on the spectrum. As a result, only a weak, broadened band is observed in the energy region where the origin of the B(1)B(1) state is expected. The assignments here are supported by high-level coupled-cluster calculations and spectral simulations based on a vibronic coupling Hamiltonian. A result of astrophysical interest is that the present study supports the idea that a broad absorption band found at 5450 Å by cavity ringdown spectroscopy (and coincident with a diffuse interstellar band) is carried by the B(1)B(1) state of H(2)CCC.

Photoelectron spectroscopy of anilinide and acidity of aniline.

The photoelectron spectrum of the anilinide ion has been measured. The spectrum exhibits a vibrational progression of the CCC in-plane bending mode of the anilino radical in its electronic ground state. The observed fundamental frequency is 524 ± 10 cm(-1). The electron affinity (EA) of the radical is determined to be 1.607 ± 0.004 eV. The EA value is combined with the N-H bond dissociation energy of aniline in a negative ion thermochemical cycle to derive the deprotonation enthalpy of aniline at 0 K; Δ(acid)H(0)(PhHN-H) = 1535.4 ± 0.7 kJ mol(-1). Temperature corrections are made to obtain the corresponding value at 298 K and the gas-phase acidity; Δ(acid)H(298)(PhHN-H) = 1540.8 ± 1.0 kJ mol(-1) and Δ(acid)G(298)(PhHN-H) = 1509.2 ± 1.5 kJ mol(-1), respectively. The compatibility of this value in the acidity scale that is currently available is examined by utilizing the acidity of acetaldehyde as a reference.

Photoelectron spectroscopy of HC4N-.

We report the 364-nm photoelectron spectrum of HC(4)N(-). We observe electron photodetachment from the bent X(2)A" state of HC(4)N(-) to both the near-linear X(3)A" and the bent ã (1)A' states of neutral HC(4)N. We observe an extended, unresolved vibrational progression corresponding to X(3)A" ← X(2)A" photodetachment, and we measure the electron affinity (EA) of the X(3)A" state of HC(4)N to be 2.05(8) eV. Photodetachment to the bent ã (1)A' state results in a single intense origin peak at a binding energy of 2.809(4) eV, from which we determine the singlet-triplet splitting (ΔE(ST)) of HC(4)N: 0.76(8) eV. For comparison and to aid in the interpretation of the HC(4)N(-) spectrum, we also report the 364-nm photoelectron spectra of HCCN(-) and DCCN(-). Improved signal-to-noise over the previous HCCN(-) and DCCN(-) photoelectron spectra allows for a more precise determination of the EAs and ΔE(ST)s of HCCN and DCCN. The EAs of HCCN and DCCN are measured to be 2.001(15) eV and 1.998(15) eV, respectively; ΔE(ST)(HCCN) is 0.510(15) eV and ΔE(ST)(DCCN) is 0.508(15) eV. These results are discussed in the context of other organic carbene chains.

Gas phase reactions of 1,3,5-triazine: proton transfer, hydride transfer, and anionic σ-adduct formation.

The gas phase reactivity of 1,3,5-triazine with several oxyanions and carbanions, as well as amide, was evaluated using a flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube mass spectrometer. Isotopic labeling, H/D exchange, and collision induced dissociation experiments were conducted to facilitate the interpretation of structures and fragmentation processes. A multi-step (→ HCN + HC(2)N (2) (-) → CN(-) + 2 HCN) and/or single-step (→ CN(-) + 2 HCN) ring-opening collision-induced fragmentation process appears to exist for 1,3,5-triazinide. In addition to proton and hydride transfer reactions, the data indicate a competitive nucleophilic aromatic addition pathway (S(N)Ar) over a wide range of relative gas phase acidities to form strong anionic σ-adducts (Meisenheimer complexes). The significant hydride acceptor properties and stability of the anionic σ-adducts are rationalized by extremely electrophilic carbon centers and symmetric charge delocalization at the electron-withdrawing nitrogen positions. The types of anion-arene binding motifs and their influence on reaction pathways are discussed.

Photoelectron spectra of dihalomethyl anions: testing the limits of normal mode analysis.

We report the 364-nm negative ion photoelectron spectra of CHX(2)(-) and CDX(2)(-), where X = Cl, Br, and I. The pyramidal dihalomethyl anions undergo a large geometry change upon electron photodetachment to become nearly planar, resulting in multiple extended vibrational progressions in the photoelectron spectra. The normal mode analysis that successfully models photoelectron spectra when geometry changes are modest is unable to reproduce qualitatively the experimental data using physically reasonable parameters. Specifically, the harmonic normal mode analysis using Cartesian displacement coordinates results in much more C-H stretch excitation than is observed, leading to a simulated photoelectron spectrum that is much broader than that which is seen experimentally. A (2 + 1)-dimensional anharmonic coupled-mode analysis much better reproduces the observed vibrational structure. We obtain an estimate of the adiabatic electron affinity of each dihalomethyl radical studied. The electron affinity of CHCl(2) and CDCl(2) is 1.3(2) eV, of CHBr(2) and CDBr(2) is 1.9(2) eV, and of CHI(2) and CDI(2) is 1.9(2) eV. Analysis of the experimental spectra illustrates the limits of the conventional normal mode approach and shows the type of analysis required for substantial geometry changes when multiple modes are active upon photodetachment.

The C-H bond dissociation energy of furan: photoelectron spectroscopy of the furanide anion.

Using photoelectron spectroscopy, we interrogate the cyclic furanide anion (C(4)H(3)O(-)) to determine the electron affinity and vibrational structure of the neutral furanyl radical and the term energy of its first excited electronic state. We present the 364-nm photoelectron spectrum of the furanide anion and measure the electron affinity of the X̃(2)A(') ground state of the α-furanyl radical to be 1.853(4) eV. A Franck-Condon analysis of the well-resolved spectrum allows determination of the harmonic frequencies of three of the most active vibrational modes upon X̃(2)A(') ← X̃(1)A(') photodetachment: 855(25), 1064(25), and 1307(40) cm(-1). These modes are ring deformation vibrations, consistent with the intuitive picture of furanide anion photodetachment, where the excess electron is strongly localized on the α-carbon atom. In addition, the Ã(2)A('') excited state of the α-furanyl radical is observed 0.68(7) eV higher in energy than the X̃(2)A(') ground state. Through a thermochemical cycle involving the known gas-phase acidity of furan, the electron affinity of the furanyl radical yields the first experimental determination of the C-H(α) bond dissociation energy of furan (DH(298)(C(4)H(3)O-H(α))): 119.8(2) kcal mol(-1).

The photoelectron spectrum of CCl2-: the convergence of theory and experiment after a decade of debate.

We report new 351 nm negative ion photoelectron spectra of CCl(2)(-), CBr(2)(-), and CI(2)(-). This study was undertaken in an attempt to understand the major discrepancy between dihalocarbene (CX(2), X = Cl, Br, I) singlet-triplet splittings reported by our laboratory (R. L. Schwartz, G. E. Davico, T. M. Ramond, W. C. Lineberger, J. Phys. Chem. A., 1999, 103, 8213) and new theoretical values. Our recent experiments show that a dihalomethyl anion (CHX(2)(-)) contaminant in the dihalocarbene anion beam, previously considered insignificant, made a major contribution to the reported CX(2)(-) photoelectron spectra. Thus, the interpretations of the earlier CX(2)(-) spectra and the reported singlet-triplet splittings were incorrect. Replacing O(-) with OH(-) in the anion formation process yields a pure dihalomethyl anion, whose highly structured photoelectron spectrum can be subtracted from the contaminated spectrum, yielding a clean CX(2)(-) photoelectron spectrum. The new CCl(2)(-) photoelectron spectrum displays resolved vibronic transitions to the two lowest electronic states of CCl(2): X(1)A(1) and a(3)B(1). The electron affinity of X(1)A(1) CCl(2) is 1.593(6) eV. A large change in geometry between the anion and the neutral triplet state precludes the direct observation of the triplet origin. The energy difference between the X(1)A(1) and a(3)B(1) states of CCl(2) is estimated to be approximately 0.9(2) eV, consistent with high-level theoretical studies. While we confirm similar dihalomethyl anion contaminants in the earlier photoelectron spectra of CBr(2)(-) and CI(2)(-) and report new photoelectron spectra for these ions, the paucity of resolved features in the spectra provides limited additional thermochemical information.

The vibronic level structure of the cyclopentadienyl radical.

The 351.1 nm photoelectron spectrum of the cyclopentadienide ion has been measured, which reveals the vibronic structure of the X (2)E(1) (") state of the cyclopentadienyl radical. Equation-of-motion ionization potential coupled-cluster (EOMIP-CCSD) calculations have been performed to construct a diabatic model potential of the X (2)E(1) (") state, which takes into account linear Jahn-Teller effects along the e(2) (') normal coordinates as well as bilinear Jahn-Teller effects along the e(2) (') and ring-breathing a(1) (') coordinates. A simulation based on this ab initio model potential reproduces the spectrum very well, identifying the vibronic levels with linear Jahn-Teller angular momentum quantum numbers of +/-1/2. The angular distributions of the photoelectrons for these vibronic levels are highly anisotropic with the photon energies used in the measurements. A few additional weak photoelectron peaks are observed when photoelectrons ejected parallel to the laser polarization are examined. These peaks correspond to the vibronic levels for out-of-plane modes in the ground X (2)E(1) (") state, which arise due to several pseudo-Jahn-Teller interactions with excited states of the radical and quadratic Jahn-Teller interaction in the X (2)E(1) (") state. A variant of the first derivative of the energy for the EOMIP-CCSD method has been utilized to evaluate the strength of these nonadiabatic couplings, which have subsequently been employed to construct the model potential of the X (2)E(1) (") state with respect to the out-of-plane normal coordinates. Simulations based on the model potential successfully reproduce the weak features that become conspicuous in the 0 degrees spectrum. The present study of the photoelectron spectrum complements a previous dispersed fluorescence spectroscopic study by Miller and co-workers [J. Chem. Phys. 114, 4855 (2001); 114, 4869 (2001)] to provide a detailed account of the vibronic structure of X (2)E(1) (") cyclopentadienyl. The electron affinity of the cyclopentadienyl radical is determined to be 1.808+/-0.006 eV. This electron affinity and the gas-phase acidity of cyclopentadiene have been combined in a negative ion thermochemical cycle to determine the C-H bond dissociation energy of cyclopentadiene; D(0)(C(5)H(6),C-H)=81.5+/-1.3 kcal mol(-1). The standard enthalpy of formation of the cyclopentadienyl radical has been determined to be Delta(f)H(298)(C(5)H(5))=63.2+/-1.4 kcal mol(-1).

Vibrational spectroscopy of nitroalkane chains using electron autodetachment and ar predissociation.

If the binding energy of an excess electron is lower than some of the vibrational levels of its host anion, vibrational excitation can lead to autodetachment. We use excitation of CH stretching modes in nitroalkane anions (2700-3000 cm(-1)), where the excess electron is localized predominantly on the NO2 group. We present data on nitroalkane anions of various chain lengths, showing that this technique is a valid approach to the vibrational spectroscopy of such systems extending to nitroalkane anions at least the size of nitropentane. We compare spectra taken by using vibrational autodetachment with spectra obtained by monitoring Ar evaporation from Ar solvated nitroalkane anions. The spectra of nitromethane and nitroethane are assigned on the basis of ab initio calculations with a detailed analysis of Fermi resonances of CH stretching fundamentals with overtones and combination bands of HCH bending modes.

Vibrational-torsional excitation and direct overtone photodissociation of ethyl hydroperoxide at 5nuOH.

We have observed OH radical products from the unimolecular dissociation of ethyl hydroperoxide (CH3-CH2OOH) excited to 5nuOH and have collected an action spectrum from 15,600 to 16,800 cm(-1) and an OH product state distribution at the maximum (16,119 cm(-1)). We use a vibrational-torsional model to simulate spectra in the 5nuOH region for the trans and gauche conformers. A combination of the two simulated spectra resembles the experimental action spectrum, provided that the trans conformer is assumed to dominate at room temperature. Energy disposal in the OH fragment yields an upper limit for the O-O bond dissociation energy at D0 < 44 kcal mol(-1).

Aromatic molecules in anion recognition: electrostatics versus H-bonding.

Mass-selected complexes A-.C6FnH(6-n) (A = Cl, I, SF6; n = 0-5) were studied by infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and computational chemistry methods to investigate the interaction of negative ions and aromatic molecules, in which the charge distribution can be tuned by fluorination. Surprisingly, we find that, despite positive partial charges on the carbon atoms at high levels of fluorination, all anions under study prefer hydrogen bonding to the remaining H atoms in the ligand rather than binding to the positively charged ring. Moreover, bifurcated hydrogen bonds to two neighboring CH groups are energetically favored over linear hydrogen bonds to a single CH group.

Infrared spectroscopy of anionic hydrated fluorobenzenes.

We investigate the structural motifs of anionic hydrated fluorobenzenes by infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and density functional theory. Our calculations show that all fluorobenzene anions under investigation are strongly distorted from the neutral planar molecular geometries. In the anions, different F atoms are no longer equivalent, providing structurally different binding sites for water molecules and giving rise to a multitude of low-lying isomers. The absorption bands for hexa- and pentafluorobenzene show that only one isomer for the respective monohydrate complexes is populated in our experiment. For C6F6.-H2O, we can assign these bands to an isomer where water forms a weak double ionic hydrogen bond with two F atoms in the ion, in accord with the results of Bowen et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 127, 014312 (2007), following paper.] The spectroscopic motif of the binary complexes changes slightly with decreasing fluorination of the aromatic anion. For dihydrated hexafluorobenzene anions, several isomers are populated in our experiments, some of which may be due to hydrogen bonding between water molecules.

Effects of torsion on O-H stretch overtone spectra and direct overtone photolysis of methyl hydroperoxide.

We use laser photoacoustic spectroscopy to obtain overtone spectra at three through six quanta of O-H stretch excitation (3nu(OH)-6nu(OH)) for methyl hydroperoxide (MeOOH). Extending the spectral regions beyond our previous work reveals new features that can be attributed to transitions involving torsion about the O-O bond. Experimental spectral profiles (3nu(OH)-6nu(OH)) and cross sections (3nu(OH)-5nu(OH)) at room temperature show a good agreement with the simulated spectra that we obtain from ab initio calculations employing a vibration-torsion model at 298 K. A Birge-Sponer analysis yields experimental values for the O-H stretch frequency (omega=3773+/-15 cm(-1)) and anharmonicity (omegax=94+/-3 cm(-1)). We also detect OH radicals by laser-induced fluorescence and present photodissociation action spectra of MeOOH in the regions of 4nu(OH) and 5nu(OH). While the spectral profile at 5nu(OH) mimics the photoacoustic spectrum, the peak intensity for transitions to torsionally excited states is relatively more intense in the action spectrum at 4nu(OH), reflecting the fact that the 4nu(OH) excitation energy is below the literature dissociation energy (D0=42.6+/-1 kcal mol(-1)) so that features in the action spectrum come from thermally populated excited states. Finally, we use our calculations to assign contributions to individual peaks in the room-temperature spectra and relate our findings to a recent dynamics study in the literature.