Alexandra V. Domanskaya

Matrix-isolation and ab initio study of HNgCCF and HCCNgF molecules (Ng = Ar, Kr, and Xe).

We report three new noble-gas molecules prepared in low-temperature Kr and Xe matrices from the HCCF precursor by UV photolysis and thermal annealing. The identified molecules are two noble-gas hydrides HNgCCF (Ng = Kr and Xe) and a molecule of another type, HCCKrF. These molecules are assigned with the help of ab initio calculations. All strong absorptions predicted by theory are found in experiments with proper deuteration shifts. The experiments and theory suggest a higher stability against dissociation of HNgCCF molecules compared to HNgCCH reported previously. Surprisingly, only very tentative traces of HCCXeF, which is computationally very stable, are found in experiments. No strong evidence of similar argon compounds is found here.

Formic and acetic acids in a nitrogen matrix: Enhanced stability of the higher-energy conformer

Formic acid (HCOOH, FA) and acetic acid (CH(3)COOH, AA) are studied in a nitrogen matrix. The infrared (IR) spectra of cis and trans conformers of these carboxylic acids (and also of the HCOOD isotopologue of FA) are reported and analyzed. The higher-energy cis conformer of these molecules is produced by narrowband near-IR excitation of the more stable trans conformer, and the cis-to-trans tunneling decay is evaluated spectroscopically. The tunneling process in both molecules is found to be substantially slower in a nitrogen matrix than in rare-gas matrices, the cis-form decay constants being approximately 55 and 600 times smaller in a nitrogen matrix than in an argon matrix, for FA and AA respectively. The stabilization of the higher-energy cis conformer is discussed in terms of specific interactions with nitrogen molecule binding with the OH group of the carboxylic acid. This model is in agreement with the observed differences in the IR spectra in nitrogen and argon matrices, in particular, the relative frequencies of the νOH and τCOH modes and the relative intensities of the νOH and νC=O bands.

Matrix Isolation and Ab Initio Study of Trans−Trans and Trans−Cis Dimers of Formic Acid

Six trans-trans and five trans-cis dimeric structures of formic acid (HCOOH) are revealed by ab initio calculations. Four trans-trans and two trans-cis dimers are identified in the IR absorption spectra in argon matrices. The trans-cis dimers are obtained by narrow-band IR excitation of the vibrational transitions of the trans-trans dimers. Two trans-trans (tt3 and tt6) and one trans-cis (tc4) dimer are characterized experimentally for the first time. The tunneling decay rates of two trans-cis dimers (tc1 and tc4) are evaluated at different temperatures. A greater lifetime of the trans-cis dimers at elevated temperatures compared to the cis-monomer suggests that the high-energy conformers can be stabilized upon hydrogen bonding.

HXeOBr in a xenon matrix

We report on a new noble-gas molecule HXeOBr prepared in a low-temperature xenon matrix from the HBr and N(2)O precursors by UV photolysis and thermal annealing. This molecule is assigned with the help of deuteration experiments and ab initio calculations including anharmonic methods. The H-Xe stretching frequency of HXeOBr is observed at 1634 cm(-1), which is larger by 56 cm(-1) than the frequency of HXeOH identified previously. The experiments show a higher thermal stability of HXeOBr molecules in a xenon matrix compared to HXeOH.

Halogenated xenon cyanides ClXeCN, ClXeNC, and BrXeCN.

We report on the preparation and characterization of three new noble-gas molecules ClXeCN, ClXeNC, and BrXeCN. These molecules are synthesized by 193 nm photolysis and thermal annealing of ClCN and BrCN in a xenon matrix. The absorption spectra are measured in the mid- and far-infrared regions, and the assignment is supported by isotope substitution and quantum chemical calculations at the B3LYP and MP2 levels of theory. The present results demonstrate a way to prepare other noble-gas molecules of this type.

Communication: The highest frequency hydrogen bond vibration and an experimental value for the dissociation energy of formic acid dimer.

The highest frequency hydrogen bond fundamental of formic acid dimer, ν(24) (B(u)), is experimentally located at 264 cm(-1). FTIR spectra of this in-plane bending mode of (HCOOH)(2) and band centers of its symmetric D isotopologues (isotopomers) recorded in a supersonic slit jet expansion are presented. Comparison to earlier studies at room temperature reveals the large influence of thermal excitation on the band maximum. Together with three B(u) combination states involving hydrogen bond fundamentals and with recent progress for the Raman-active modes, this brings into reach an accurate statistical thermodynamics treatment of the dimerization process up to room temperature. We obtain D(0) = 59.5(5) kJ/mol as the best experimental estimate for the dimer dissociation energy at 0 K. Further improvements have to wait for a more consistent determination of the room temperature equilibrium constant.

Spectroscopic study of cis-to-trans tunneling reaction of HCOOD in rare gas matrices

The higher energy conformer (cis) of HCOOD is prepared by vibrational excitation of the trans form. The cis conformer decays back to the conformational ground state (trans) via tunneling of deuterium. The tunneling process in HCOOD in rare gas matrices is extremely slow (in scale of weeks). We present new measurements of the tunneling rate constants, which characterize the efficiency of the cis-to-trans conversion process in Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe matrices. The tunneling rates of HCOOD follow the trend k(Xe) approximately = k(Kr)>k(Ar) approximately = k(Ne), which is anomalous with respect to the reaction barrier of the solvated molecule. We propose a semiempirical energetic scheme of solid state solvation, which is consistent with all experimental observation. The temperature dependence of the tunneling constants rates of HCOOD is very weak compared to HCOOH in all matrices. The fundamental vibrational frequencies of the cis and trans conformers of HCOOD in various matrices are reported.

HY⋯N2 and HXeY⋯N2 complexes in solid xenon (Y=Cl and Br): Unexpected suppression of the complex formation for deposition at higher temperature

The 1:1 complexes of HY and HXeY (Y=Cl and Br) with nitrogen are characterized by FTIR spectroscopy in a Xe matrix. These complexes show small blue shifts of the HY and H-Xe stretching frequencies with respect to the monomers (ca. +10 cm(-1)). In the HXeY...N(2) synthesis procedure, a HY/N(2)/Xe matrix with HY...N(2) complexes is first photolyzed at 193 nm to yield isolated H and Y...N(2) fragments. At the second step, annealing at ca. 40 K activates mobility of H atoms and promotes the H+Xe+Y...N(2) reaction. It is quite remarkable that the HY...N(2) and consequently HXeY...N(2) complexes are observed in Xe matrices deposited at relatively low temperature (below ca. 35 K). For Xe matrices deposited above ca. 40 K, HY molecules do not form a complex with nitrogen and the HXeY...N(2) complex does not appear after photolysis and annealing; however, this observation is not explained in this article.

Matrix-Isolation and Ab Initio Study of the HKrCl ··· HCl Complex

The HKrCl complex with HCl is characterized by IR spectroscopy in a Kr matrix and by ab initio calculations. The HKrCl...HCl complex exhibits a strong blue shift of the H-Kr stretching mode in comparison with the HKrCl monomer, which indicates stabilization of the H-Kr bond upon complexation. The obtained maximal shift of ca. +300 cm(-1) is probably the largest blue shift experimentally observed for 1:1 molecular complexes. The HCl absorptions are found to be strongly red-shifted upon complexation with HKrCl (up to ca. -500 cm(-1)). In the HKrCl synthesis procedure, an HCl/Kr matrix was first photolyzed at 193 nm to yield H and Cl atoms in a Kr matrix and then annealed at about 30 K to activate mobility of H atoms and to promote the H + Kr + Cl reaction. The HKrCl...HCl complex is mainly formed from the Cl...HCl intermediate complex that is produced by photolysis of HCl dimers. Bands of the HKrCl...(HCl)(2) complex are tentatively identified with a very large shift of ca. +700 cm(-1) for the H-Kr stretching mode. These experimental observations are supported and explained by ab initio calculations.

Conformation-Dependent Chemical Reaction of Formic Acid with an Oxygen Atom

Conformation dictates many physical and chemical properties of molecules. The importance of conformation in the selectivity and function of biologically active molecules is widely accepted. However, clear examples of conformation-dependent bimolecular chemical reactions are lacking. Here we consider a case of formic acid (HCOOH) that is a valuable model system containing the -COOH carboxyl functional group, similar to many biomolecules including the standard amino acids. We have found a strong case of conformation-dependent reaction between formic acid and atomic oxygen obtained in cryogenic matrices. The reaction surprisingly leads to peroxyformic acid only from the ground-state trans conformer of formic acid, and it results in the hydrogen-bonded complex for the higher-energy cis conformer.