Nicola Tasinato

Anharmonic theoretical simulations of infrared spectra of halogenated organic compounds

The recent implementation of the computation of infrared (IR) intensities beyond the double-harmonic approximation [J. Bloino and V. Barone, J. Chem. Phys. 136, 124108 (2012)] paved the route to routine calculations of infrared spectra for a wide set of molecular systems. Halogenated organic compounds represent an interesting class of molecules, from both an atmospheric and computational point of view, due to the peculiar chemical features related to the halogen atoms. In this work, we simulate the IR spectra of eight halogenated molecules (CH2F2, CHBrF2, CH2DBr, CF3Br, CH2CHF, CF2CFCl, cis-CHFCHBr, cis-CHFCHI), using two common hybrid and double-hybrid density functionals in conjunction with both double- and triple-ζ quality basis sets (SNSD and cc-pVTZ) as well as employing the coupled-cluster theory with basis sets of at least triple-ζ quality. Finally, we compare our results with available experimental spectra, with the aim of checking the accuracy and the performances of the computational approaches.

An integrated experimental and quantum-chemical investigation on the vibrational spectra of chlorofluoromethane.

The vibrational analysis of the gas-phase infrared spectra of chlorofluoromethane (CH2ClF, HCFC-31) was carried out in the range 200-6200 cm(-1). The assignment of the absorption features in terms of fundamental, overtone, combination, and hot bands was performed on the medium-resolution (up to 0.2 cm(-1)) Fourier transform infrared spectra. From the absorption cross section spectra accurate values of the integrated band intensities were derived and the global warming potential of this compound was estimated, thus obtaining values of 323, 83, and 42 on a 20-, 100-, and 500-year horizon, respectively. The set of spectroscopic parameters here presented provides the basic data to model the atmospheric behavior of this greenhouse gas. In addition, the obtained vibrational properties were used to benchmark the predictions of state-of-the-art quantum-chemical computational strategies. Extrapolated complete basis set limit values for the equilibrium geometry and harmonic force field were obtained at the coupled-cluster singles and doubles level of theory augmented by a perturbative treatment of triple excitations, CCSD(T), in conjunction with a hierarchical series of correlation-consistent basis sets (cc-pVnZ, with n = T, Q, and 5), taking also into account the core-valence correlation effects and the corrections due to diffuse (aug) functions. To obtain the cubic and quartic semi-diagonal force constants, calculations employing second-order Møller-Plesset perturbation (MP2) theory, the double-hybrid density functional B2PLYP as well as CCSD(T) were performed. For all anharmonic force fields the performances of two different perturbative approaches in computing the vibrational energy levels (i.e., the generalized second order vibrational treatment, GVPT2, and the recently proposed hybrid degeneracy corrected model, HDCPT2) were evaluated and the obtained results allowed us to validate the spectroscopic predictions yielded by the HDCPT2 approach. The predictions of the deperturbed second-order perturbation approach, DVPT2, applied to the computation of infrared intensities beyond the double-harmonic approximation were compared to the accurate experimental values here determined. Anharmonic DFT and MP2 corrections to CCSD(T) intensities led to a very good agreement with the absorption cross section measurements over the whole spectral range here analysed.

Anharmonic force field and vibrational dynamics of CH2F2 up to 5000 cm(-1) studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and state-of-the-art ab initio calculations.

Difluoromethane (CH(2)F(2), HFC-32) is a molecule used in refrigerant mixtures as a replacement of the more environmentally hazardous, ozone depleting, chlorofluorocarbons. On the other hand, presenting strong vibration-rotation bands in the 9 μm atmospheric window, it is a greenhouse gas which contributes to global warming. In the present work, the vibrational and ro-vibrational properties of CH(2)F(2), providing basic data for its atmospheric modeling, are studied in detail by coupling medium resolution Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to high-level electronic structure ab initio calculations. Experimentally a full quantum assignment and accurate integrated absorption cross sections are obtained up to 5000 cm(-1). Ab initio calculations are carried out by using CCSD(T) theory and large basis sets of either the correlation consistent or atomic natural orbital hierarchies. By using vibrational perturbation theory to second order a complete set of vibrational and ro-vibrational parameters is derived from the ab initio quartic anharmonic force fields, which well compares with the spectroscopic constants retrieved experimentally. An excellent agreement between theory and experiment is achieved for vibrational energy levels and integrated absorption cross sections: transition frequencies up to four quanta of vibrational excitation are reproduced with a root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 7 cm(-1) while intensities are predicted within few km mol(-1) from the experiment. Basis set performances and core correlation effects are discussed throughout the paper. Particular attention is focused in the understanding of the anharmonic couplings which rule the vibrational dynamics of the |ν(1)>, |2ν(8)>, |2ν(2)> three levels interacting system. The reliability of the potential energy and dipole moment surfaces in reproducing the vibrational eigenvalues and intensities as well as in modeling the vibrational and ro-vibrational mixings over the whole 400-5000 cm(-1) region is also demonstrated by spectacular spectral simulations carried out by using the ro-vibrational Hamiltonian constants, and the relevant coupling terms, obtained from the perturbation treatment of the ab initio anharmonic force field. The present results suggest CH(2)F(2) as a prototype molecule to test ab initio calculations and theoretical models.

Quantum cascade laser spectroscopy: diagnostics to non-linear optics

In many examples of the use of mid-infrared quantum cascade (QC) lasers for gas detection or process monitoring, an assumption is made that their use is an obvious extension of tuneable diode laser spectroscopy. We wish to show that making such an assumption is not necessarily justified when the frequency sweep rate is rapid, as is down-chirped QC laser infrared radiation. This is demonstrated via a series of experiments designed to investigate the physics of the interaction of chirped infrared laser radiation with low pressure gases. The unusual signals, which characterise the rapid passage of the down-chirped radiation through a low pressure gas, are due to two main effects, the laser sweep rate, and the long path length of the refocusing cells used. The sweep rate of the laser frequency may be faster than the inter-molecular collision frequency, allowing the build up of a strong molecular alignment within the gas. The long optical path lengths in the refocusing absorption cells, used to facilitate sensitive detection of trace gases, allow the build up of a large macroscopic polarisation within the gas cell. We give examples of this behaviour in molecules with large transition dipole moments, ammonia and nitrous oxide, and with a very small one 18O12C16O. We also outline the use of Maxwell–Bloch calculations to investigate the origins of this behaviour, and hence to define operating conditions where the concentration of trace molecules may be determined.

Infrared spectra, integrated band intensities, and anharmonic force field of H2C=CHF.

The gas-phase infrared spectra of vinyl fluoride, H(2)C=CHF, have been examined at medium resolution in the range 400-8000 cm(-1). The assignment of the absorptions in terms of fundamental, overtone, and combination bands, assisted by quantum chemical calculations, is consistent all over the region investigated. Spectroscopic parameters, obtained from the analysis of partially resolved rotational structure of some bands, have been derived and compared with the corresponding calculated values. Accurate values of integrated band intensities have also been determined for the first time. High-level ab initio calculations with large basis sets have been performed. Correlated harmonic force fields have been obtained from coupled cluster CCSD(T) calculations with the cc-pVQZ basis set, while anharmonic force constants have been computed employing the less resource demanding cc-pVTZ basis set. A good agreement between the computed and the experimental data has been obtained including those for the integrated infrared band intensities.

Toward a Complete Understanding of the Vinyl Fluoride Spectrum in the Atmospheric Region

A deep and comprehensive investigation of the vinyl fluoride (CH(2)CHF) spectrum in the atmospheric window around 8.7 μm is presented. At first, the ro-vibrational patterns are modelled to an effective Hamiltonian, which also takes into account the coupling of the C-F stretching vibration, ν(7), with the neighbouring vibrational combination ν(9)+ν(12). The obtained Hamiltonian gives very accurate simulations and predictions of the ro-vibrational quantum energies. Then, in the main part of the work, an experimental and theoretical study of vinyl fluoride self-broadening collisions is carried out for the first time. The broadening coefficients obtained experimentally are compared with those calculated by a semiclassical theory, demonstrating a significant contribution of collisional coupling effects between lines connecting pairs of degenerate (or nearly degenerate) rotational levels. Finally, the experimentally retrieved integrated absorption coefficients are used to calculate the absorption cross-section of the ν(7) normal mode, from which dipole transition moments are derived. The obtained results provide a deep insight into the spectral behaviour of vinyl fluoride, in a spectral region of primary relevance for atmospheric and environmental determinations. Indeed, the data presented constitute an accurate model for the remote sensing of vinyl fluoride--a molecule of proved industrial importance which can lead to hazardous effects in the atmosphere and affects humans health.

Spectroscopic measurements of SO2 line parameters in the 9.2 μm atmospheric region and theoretical determination of self-broadening coefficients

Sulfur dioxide is still the subject of numerous spectroscopic studies since it plays an active role in the chemistry of Earths atmosphere and it is a molecule of proven astrophysical importance. In the present work we have determined the self-broadening and integrated absorption coefficients for several lines in the nu(1) band spectral region around 9.2 mum. Besides the parameters of the lines belonging to the nu(1) fundamental of (32)SO(2), also those for some rovibrational lines of the nu(1)+nu(2)-nu(2) hot band of the (32)SO(2) isotopologue and the nu(1) band of the (34)SO(2) isotopic species have been determined. The measurements have been carried out at 297 K using a tunable diode laser spectrometer. The self-broadening parameters have also been theoretically determined employing a semiclassical formalism based on the Anderson-Tsao-Curnutte approximation. The study has been completed with the determination of the vibrational cross sections of the three fundamental bands measured from the spectra recorded at a resolution of 0.2 cm(-1) using a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer.

Microwave, High-Resolution Infrared, and Quantum Chemical Investigations of CHBrF2: Ground and v4 = 1 States

A combined microwave, infrared, and computational investigation of CHBrF(2) is reported. For the vibrational ground state, measurements in the millimeter- and sub-millimeter-wave regions for CH(79)BrF(2) and CH(81)BrF(2) provided rotational and centrifugal-distortion constants up to the sextic terms as well as the hyperfine parameters (quadrupole-coupling and spin-rotation interaction constants) of the bromine nucleus. The determination of the latter was made possible by recording of spectra at sub-Doppler resolution, achieved by means of the Lamb-dip technique, and supporting the spectra analysis by high-level quantum chemical calculations at the coupled-cluster level. In this context, the importance of relativistic effects, which are of the order of 6.5% and included in the present work using second-order direct perturbation theory, needs to be emphasized for accurate predictions of the bromine quadrupole-coupling constants. The infrared measurements focused on the ν(4) fundamental band of CH(79)BrF(2). Fourier transform investigations using a synchrotron radiation source provided the necessary resolution for the observation and analysis of the rotational structure. The spectroscopic parameters of the v(4) = 1 state were found to be close to those of the vibrational ground state, indicating that the ν(4) band is essentially unaffected by perturbations.

Spectroscopic study of CHBrF2 up to 9500 cm−1: Vibrational analysis, integrated band intensities, and ab initio calculations

The gas-phase infrared spectra of bromodifluoromethane, CHBrF(2), have been examined at medium resolution in the range of 200-9500 cm(-1). The assignment of the absorptions in terms of fundamental, overtone, combination, and hot bands, assisted by quantum chemical calculations is consistent all over the region investigated. Accurate values of integrated band intensities have also been determined for the first time in the range of 500-6000 cm(-1). Structural and molecular spectroscopic properties have been calculated at high level of theory. The coupled cluster CCSD(T) method in conjunction with a hierarchical series of correlation consistent basis sets has been employed and extrapolation to complete basis set has been considered for the equilibrium geometry. Vibrational analysis based on the second order perturbation theory has been carried out with the ab initio anharmonic force constants calculated using the second order Moller-Plesset perturbation as well as coupled cluster [CCSD(T)] theory. A good agreement between the computed and the experimental data also including the integrated infrared band intensities has been obtained.

Time dependent measurements of nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide collisional relaxation processes by a frequency down-chirped quantum cascade laser: rapid passage signals and the time dependence of collisional processes.

Intrapulse quantum cascade laser spectrometers are able to produce both saturation and molecular alignment of the gas sample. This is due to the rapid sweep of the radiation through the absorption features. The intrapulse time domain spectra closely resemble those recorded in coherent optical nutation experiments. In the present paper, the frequency down-chirped technique is employed to investigate the nitrous oxide-foreign gas collisions. We have demonstrated that the measurements may be characterized by the induced polarization dominated and collision dominated measurement limits. The first of these is directly related to the time dependence of the long range collision cross sections. Among the collisional partners considered, carbon dioxide shows a very unusual behavior of rapid polarization damping, resulting in the production of symmetrical line shapes at very low gas buffer pressures. In the collision dominated regime, the pressure broadening parameters, which we have derived, are comparable at slow chirp rates, with those derived from other experimental methods. By comparing the pressure broadening coefficients of Ar, N(2), and CO(2) with those of He, making use of the chirp rate independence of the pressure broadening by helium, we have shown that at higher chirp rates there is clear evidence of the chirp-rate dependence of the pressure broadening parameters of N(2) and CO(2).