Ran Cong

Collinear Velocity-map Photoelectron Imaging Spectrometer for Cluster Anions

We describe a collinear velocity-map photoelectron imaging spectrometer, which combines a Wiley-McLaren time-of-flight mass analyzer with a dual-valve laser vaporization source for investigating size-selected cluster and reaction intermediate anions. To generate the reaction anions conveniently, two pulsed valves and a reaction channel are employed instead of premixing carrier gas. The collinear photoelectron imaging spectrometer adopts modified velocity-map electrostatic lens, and provides kinetic energy resolution better than 3%. The performance of the instrument is demonstrated on the photodetachment of Si4− at 532 and 355 nm, and Si3C− at 532 nm, respectively. In both cases, photoelectron spectra and anisotropy parameters are obtained from the images. For Si4−, the spectra show two well-resolved vibrational progressions which correspond to the ground state and the first excited state of the neutral Si4 with peak spacing of 330 and 312 cm−1, respectively. Preliminary results suggest that the apparatus is a powerful tool for characterizing the electronic structure and photodetachment dynamics of cluster anions.

Vibrationally resolved photoelectron imaging of gold hydride cluster anions: AuH− and Au2H−

Photoelectron spectra and angular distributions in photodetachment of gold hydride anions AuH(-) and Au(2)H(-) have been obtained using photoelectron velocity-map imaging. Both the images exhibit vibrationally resolved ground state transitions. The adiabatic electron affinities of AuH and Au(2)H are measured to be 0.758(20) and 3.437(3) eV, respectively. Franck-Condon analyses of the AuH spectra determined that the equilibrium bond length of the ground state of AuH(-) is 1.597(6) A. The photoelectron images of Au(2)H(-) show a vibrational progression of 148(4) cm(-1) assigned to the Au-Au stretching mode at the ground state. Ab initio calculation results are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. For the ground state of Au(2)H, a new bent Au-Au-H structure with the angle of 131 degrees is suggested. Moreover, energy-dependent photoelectron anisotropy parameters are also reported and discussed.

Photoelectron imaging and theoretical studies of group 11 cyanides MCN (M = Cu, Ag, Au).

Photodetachment of group 11 cyanide anions MCN(-) (M = Cu, Ag, Au) has been investigated using photoelectron velocity-map imaging. The electron affinities (EAs) of CuCN (1.468(26)) and AgCN (1.602(22)) are larger, while that of AuCN (2.066(8)) is smaller than those of the free atoms. This intriguing observation was confirmed by theoretical studies and was assigned to the transition between ionic and covalent bond properties. The harmonic frequencies of the extended vibrational progressions in the M-C stretching mode are 460(50), 385(27), and 502(10) cm(-1), respectively, which suggests a stronger bond for Au-CN than for Ag-CN. Electronic structure analysis and model calculations suggest that all M-C bonds in group 11 cyanides are best described as single bonds. A model has been proposed to explain how the relativistic effects influence the Au-C bond strength in AuCN.

Electron Affinities of the Early Lanthanide Monoxide Molecules

The photoelectron imagings of LaO−, CeO−, PrO−, and NdO− at 1064 nm are reported. The well resolved photoelectron spectra allow the electron affinities to be determined as 0.99(1) eV for LaO, 1.00(1) eV for CeO, 1.00(1) eV for PrO, and 1.01(1) eV for NdO, respectively. Density functional calculations and natural atomic orbital analyses show that the 4f electrons tend to be localized and suffer little from the charge states of the molecules. The photodetached electron mainly originates from the 6s orbital of the metals. The ligand field theory with the δ=2 assumption is still an effective method to analyze the ground states of the neutral and anionic lanthanide monoxides.

Photoelectron Imaging of Ag―(H2O)x and AgOH―(H2O)y (x = 1,2, y = 0―4)

The photoelectron images of Ag(-)(H(2)O)(x) (x=1,2) and AgOH(-)(H(2)O)(y) (y=0-4) are reported. The Ag(-)(H(2)O)(1,2) anionic complexes have similar characteristics to the other two coinage metal-water complexes that can be characterized as metal atomic anion solvated by water molecules with the electron mainly localized on the metal. The vibrationally well-resolved photoelectron spectrum allows the adiabatic detachment energy (ADE) and vertical detachment energy (VDE) of AgOH(-) to be determined as 1.18(2) and 1.24(2) eV, respectively. The AgOH(-) anion interacts more strongly with water molecules than the Ag(-) anion. The photoelectron spectra of Ag(-)(H(2)O)(x) and AgOH(-)(H(2)O)(y) show a gradual increase in ADE and VDE with increasing x and y due to the solvent stabilization.

Structure of Au40/−1 in the gas phase: A joint geometry relaxed ab initio calculations and vibrationally resolved photoelectron imaging investigation

We have combined photoelectron velocity-map imaging spectroscopy and high-level ab initio calculations to elucidate the geometries of Au4 (0/-1). Well-resolved ground-state electronic transition was observed in the photoelectron spectrum of Au4 (-) at 446 nm, leading to more accurate electron affinity and vibrational frequencies for the ground state of the neutral Au4 (-). The pure and vibrationally resolved spectra provide definitive experimental evidence for the resolution of the ground-state gold tetramer in the gaseous phase, with the aid of the ab initio calculations and Franck-Condon simulations. The comprehensive comparisons between the experiment and theoretical calculations suggest that the Y-shaped structure is the global minimum for both the neutral and anionic Au4.

Photoelectron imaging and theoretical study on the structure and chemical binding of the mixed- ligand M(I) complexes, [HMSH](-) (M = Cu, Ag, and Au)

We have reported a combined photoelectron imaging and theoretical study on gaseous mixed-ligand M(I) complexes of [HMSH](-) (M = Cu, Ag, and Au). With the aid of Franck-Condon simulations, vibrationally resolved photoelectron spectra yield accurate electron affinities of 3.269(6), 3.669(10), and 3.591(6) eV for [HCuSH], [HAgSH], and [HAuSH], respectively. And low-frequency modes are observed: 368(12) cm(-1) for [HCuSH], 286(12) cm(-1) for [HAgSH], and 327(12) cm(-1) for [HAuSH], respectively. Extensive theoretical calculations are performed to aid in the spectral assignments and the calculated values agree well with the experimental observations. Although the S and H atoms have little discrepancy in electronegativity (2.20 for H and 2.54 for S), distinct bonding properties are demonstrated between H-M and M-S bond. It is revealed that there exists significant ionic bonding between M-S in [HMSH](-) (M = Cu, Ag, and Au), while a gradual transition from ionic behavior between H-Cu in [HCuSH](-) to quite strong covalent bonding between H-Au in [HAuSH](-), supported by a variety of chemical bonding analyses.

Vibrationally Resolved Photoelectron Imaging of Au3H

We report a combined photoelectron velocity map imaging spectroscopy and density functional theory investigation on the Au3H(-) anion. Transition between the anionic electronic ground state and the neutral electronic ground state is revealed. Vibrationally resolved spectra were recorded at two different photon energies, providing a wealth of spectroscopic information for the electronic ground state of the Au3H. Franck-Condon simulations of the ground-state transition are carried out to assist in the assignment of the vibrationally resolved spectra. The electron affinity and vertical detachment energy of Au3H are measured to be 2.548 ± 0.001 and 2.570 ± 0.001 eV, respectively. Three stretching vibrational modes are determined to be activated upon photodetachment, with the frequencies of 2100 ± 100, 177 ± 10, and 96 ± 10 cm(-1).

An investigation into low-lying electronic states of HCS2 via threshold photoelectron imaging

Low-energy photoelectron imaging spectra of HCS2(-) are reported for the first time. Vibrationally resolved photodetachment transitions from the ground state of HCS2(-) to the ground state and low-lying excited states of HCS2 are observed. Combined with the ab intio calculations and Franck-Condon simulations, well-resolved vibrational spectra demonstrate definitive evidence for the resolution of the ground-state and excited states of HCS2 radical in the gaseous phase. The ground state and two low-lying excited states of HCS2 radical are assigned as (2)B2, (2)A2, and (2)A1 states, respectively. The adiabatic electron affinity is determined to be 2.910 ± 0.007 eV. And the term energies of the excited states, T0 = 0.451 ± 0.009 eV and 0.553 ± 0.009 eV, are directly measured from the experimental data, respectively. Angular filtering photoelectron spectra are carried out to assist in the spectral band assignment.

Photoelectron velocity-map imaging spectroscopic and theoretical study on the reactivity of the gold atom toward CH3SH, CH3OH, and H2O

Photoelectron velocity-map imaging spectroscopy has been used to study the reaction of the anionic gold atom with the HR (R = SCH3, OCH3, OH) molecules. The solvated [Au···HR](-) and inserted [HAuR](-) products have been experimentally observed for R = SCH3, whereas only solvated [Au⋯HR](-) products were found for R = OCH3 and OH. This significant difference in the photoelectron spectra suggests the different reactivity of the Au(-) toward the CH3SH, CH3OH, and H2O molecules. Second order Møller-Plesset perturbation theory and coupled-cluster single double triple excitation calculations have been performed to aid the structural assignment of the spectra and to explore the reaction mechanism. Activation energies for the isomerizations of the solvated structures to the inserted ones in the Au(-)∕Au + HR reactions (R = OCH3 and OH) are predicted to be much higher than those for the Au(-)∕Au + CH3SH reactions, supporting the experimental observation. Theoretical calculations provide the evidence that the intriguing [HAuSCH3](-) product may be formed by the attachment of the electron onto the neutral HAuSCH3 species or the isomerization from the anionic [Au···HSCH3](-) one. These findings should be helpful for understanding the feature that the thiols are able to form the staple motifs, whereas CH3OH and H2O are not.