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We report the observation of chemical reactions in gas-phase Rhn(N2O)m+ complexes driven by absorption of blackbody radiation. The experiments are performed under collision-free conditions in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Mid-infrared absorption by the molecularly adsorbed N2O moieties promotes a small fraction of the cluster distribution sufficiently to drive the N2O decomposition reaction, leading to the production of cluster oxides and the release of molecular nitrogen. N2O decomposition competes with molecular desorption and the branching ratios for the two processes show marked size effects, reflecting variations in the relative barriers. The rate of decay is shown to scale approximately linearly with the number of infrared chromophores. The experimental findings are interpreted in terms of calculated infrared absorption rates assuming a sudden-death limit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spectroscopy and UV photodissociation dynamics of Cu2 and CuO have been studied using a combination of one- and two-colour excitation and velocity map imaging. Resonant excitation of Cu2via the J ← X 1Σg+ transition leads to significant fragmentation which is interpreted in terms of a combination of direct dissociation of Cu2+ 2Π produced in the resonant two-photon ionization process and dissociation of excited Cu2 states above the ionization threshold. By fitting of the kinetic energy release spectra obtained from the velocity map images, we determine a value for the dissociation energy of the cation of D0 (Cu2+, X 2Σg+) of 1.713 ± 0.025 eV, which, when combined with known ionization energies, yields D0 (Cu2, X 1Σg+) = 1.886 ± 0.026 eV. In other experiments, resonant two colour (1 + 1′) excitation of CuO via a range of excited states (C, D, F, H), yields unusually simple VMI images indicating fragmentation into a single dissociation channel which has been identified as Cu* 2D3/2 + O* 1D. Taken together, this data gives a CuO bond dissociation energy of 3.041 ± 0.030 eV. Finally, the production of Cu2+ with kinetic energy = 705 ± 75 cm−1 is tentatively interpreted as photolysis of Cu3 yielding Cu* + Cu2 X 1Σg+ from which a dissociation energy of Cu3 of 0.605 ± 0.030 eV is deduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photodissociation dynamics of Xe2 Rydberg states in the 76,900–80,000 cm−1 region have been studied using a combination of resonance enhanced multi-photon ionization and velocity map imaging. By monitoring photodissociation product channels as a function of excitation energy, several localized and long range perturbations of the excited states have been identified. In addition, several new band systems have been observed and assigned as the Xe2 5d 2[1/2]0°  ← X , 5d 2[1/2]1°  ← X , 5d 2[3/2]2°  ← X , and 5d 2[7/2]3°  ← X transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry has been employed to study the reactions of gas-phase cationic cobalt clusters, Con+ (n=4–30), with nitric oxide, NO, and nitrous oxide, N2O, under single collision conditions. Isolation of the initial cluster permits detailed investigation of fragmentation channels which characterize the reactions of all but the largest clusters studied. In reaction with N2O, most clusters generate the monoxides ConO+ without fragmentation, cobalt atom loss accompanying only subsequent reactions. By contrast, chemisorption of even a single NO molecule is accompanied by fragmentation of the cluster. The measured rate coefficients for the Con++N2O reaction as a function of cluster size are significantly smaller than those calculated using the surface charge capture model, while for NO the rates are comparable. The reactions have been studied under high coverage conditions by storing clusters for extended periods to permit multiple reactions to occur. This leads to interesting chemistry on the surface of the cluster resulting in the formation of stable oxide clusters and/or the decomposition of nitric oxide on the cluster with the resulting loss of molecular nitrogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The photodissociation dynamics of Au2 at 157nm have been studied by velocity map imaging. Fragmentation into seven of the nine energetically accessible channels has been observed with a high propensity for the formation of electronically excited fragment atoms. Fragmentation channels are assigned using total energy conservation and confirmed in two-colour experiments in which photolysis is followed by quantum state-selective resonance enhanced multi-photon ionization. The combination of one-and two-colour experiments permits the determination of relative branching ratios at 157nm for product channels correlating to Au 5d96s2(2D3/2) and Au 5d96s2(2D5/2) atomic fragments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report an intense broadband midinfrared absorption band in the Au10+ cluster in a region in which only molecular vibrations would normally be expected. Observed in the infrared multiple photon dissociation spectra of Au10Ar+, Au10(N2O)+, and Au10(OCS)+, the smooth feature stretches 700-3400 cm-1 (λ=14-2.9 μm). Calculations confirm unusually low-energy allowed electronic excitations consistent with the observed spectra. In Au10(OCS)+, IR absorption throughout the band drives OCS decomposition resulting in CO loss, providing an alternative method of bond activation or breaking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, mixed carbonyl and nitrous oxide complexes with Rh + were studied by mass-selective infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in a molecular beam. The infrared spectra, recorded in the region of the CO and N 2 O N═N stretches, were assigned and interpreted with the aid of simulated spectra of low-energy structural isomers. Clear evidence of an inner coordination shell of four ligands is observed. The observed vibrational structure can be understood on the basis of local mode vibrations in the two ligands. However, there is also evidence of multiple low-lying isomers and cooperative binding effects between the two ligands. In particular, σ donation from directly coordinated nitrous oxide ligands drives more classical carbonyl bonding than has been observed in pure carbonyl complexes. The observed fragmentation branching ratios following resonant infrared absorption are explained by simple statistical and energetic arguments, providing a contrast with those of equivalent Au + complexes.

We report a combined experimental and computational study of carbon dioxide activation at gas-phase Ho + and HoO + centres. Infrared action spectra of Ho(CO 2 ) n + and [HoO(CO 2 ) n ] + ion-molecule complexes have been recorded in the spectral region 1700-2400 cm -1 and assigned by comparison with simulated spectra of energetically low-lying structures determined by density functional theory. Little by way of activation is observed in Ho(CO 2 ) n + complexes with CO 2 binding end-on to the Ho + ion. By contrast, all [HoO(CO 2 ) n ] + complexes n ≥ 3 show unambiguous evidence for formation of a carbonate radical anion moiety, . The signature of this structure, a new vibrational band observed around 1840 cm -1 for n = 3, continues to red-shift monotonically with each successive CO 2 ligand binding with net charge transfer from the ligand rather than the metal centre.

OCS binding to and reactivity with isolated gold cluster cations, Au n + ( n = 1-10), has been studied by infrared multiple photon dissociation (IR-MPD) spectroscopy in conjunction with quantum chemical calculations. The distribution of complexes Au n S x (OCS) m + formed reflects the relative reactivity of different cluster sizes with OCS, under the multiple collision conditions of our ablation source. The IR-MPD spectra of Au n (OCS) + ( n = 3-10) clusters are interpreted in terms of either μ 1 or μ 2 S binding motifs. Analysis of the fragmentation products following infrared excitation of parent Au n (OCS) + clusters reveals strongly size-selective (odd-even) branching ratios for OCS and CO loss, respectively. CO loss signifies infrared-driven OCS decomposition on the cluster surface and is observed to occur predominantly on even n clusters (i.e., those with odd electron counts). The experimental data, including fragmentation branching ratios, are consistent with calculated potential energy landscapes, in which the initial species trapped are molecularly bound entrance channel complexes, rather than global minimum inserted structures. Attempts to generate Rh n (OCS) + and Pt n (OCS) + equivalents failed; only sulfide reaction products were observed in the mass spectrum, even after cooling the cluster source to -100 °C.

The fact that many animals, including migratory birds, use the Earth's magnetic field for orientation and compass-navigation is fascinating and puzzling in equal measure. The physical origin of these phenomena has not yet been fully understood, but arguably the most likely hypothesis is based on the radical pair mechanism (RPM). Whilst the theoretical framework of the RPM is well-established, most experimental investigations have been conducted at fields several orders of magnitude stronger than the Earth's. Here we use transient absorption spectroscopy to demonstrate a pronounced orientation-dependence of the magnetic field response of a molecular triad system in the field region relevant to avian magnetoreception. The chemical compass response exhibits the properties of an inclination compass as found in migratory birds. The results underline the feasibility of a radical pair based avian compass and also provide further guidelines for the design and operation of exploitable chemical compass systems.

The structures of gas-phase group nine cation-nitrous oxide metal-ligand complexes, M + (N 2 O) n (M = Co, Rh, Ir; n = 2-7) have been determined by a combination of infrared photodissociation spectroscopy and density functional theory. The infrared spectra were recorded in the region of the N 2 O asymmetric (N[double bond, length as m-dash]N) stretch using the inert messenger technique and show spectroscopically distinct features for N- and O-bound isomers. The evolution of the spectra with increasing ligand number is qualitatively different for each of the metal ions studied here with only Co + (N 2 O) n complexes behaving similarly to the coinage metal complexes studied previously. The rich variety of electronic and isomeric structures identified make these species attractive targets for infrared-driven, isomer selective intra-complex chemistry.

The photodissociation dynamics of CH 3 I and CH 2 ClI at 272 nm were investigated by time-resolved Coulomb explosion imaging, with an intense non-resonant 815 nm probe pulse. Fragment ion momenta over a wide m / z range were recorded simultaneously by coupling a velocity map imaging spectrometer with a pixel imaging mass spectrometry camera. For both molecules, delay-dependent pump-probe features were assigned to ultraviolet-induced carbon-iodine bond cleavage followed by Coulomb explosion. Multi-mass imaging also allowed the sequential cleavage of both carbon-halogen bonds in CH 2 ClI to be investigated. Furthermore, delay-dependent relative fragment momenta of a pair of ions were directly determined using recoil-frame covariance analysis. These results are complementary to conventional velocity map imaging experiments and demonstrate the application of time-resolved Coulomb explosion imaging to photoinduced real-time molecular motion.

Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy (IR-MPD) has been employed to determine the nature of CO 2 binding to size-selected platinum cluster anions, Pt n - (n=4-7). Interpreted in conjunction with density functional theory simulations, the results illustrate that the degree of CO 2 activation can be controlled by the size of the metal cluster, with dissociative activation observed on all clusters n≥5. Of potential practical significance, in terms of the use of CO 2 as a useful C1 feedstock, CO 2 is observed molecularly-bound, but highly activated, on the Pt 4 - cluster. It is trapped behind a barrier on the reactive potential energy surface which prevents dissociation., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

A combined spectroscopic and computational study of gas-phase Au + (CH 4 ) n ( n  = 3-8) complexes reveals a strongly-bound linear Au + (CH 4 ) 2 core structure to which up to four additional ligands bind in a secondary coordination shell. Infrared resonance-enhanced photodissociation spectroscopy in the region of the CH 4 a 1 and t 2 fundamental transitions reveals essentially free internal rotation of the core ligands about the H 4 C-Au + -CH 4 axis, with sharp spectral features assigned by comparison with spectral simulations based on density functional theory. In separate experiments, vibrationally-enhanced dehydrogenation is observed when the t 2 vibrational normal mode in methane is excited prior to complexation. Clear infrared-induced enhancement is observed in the mass spectrum for peaks corresponding 4u below the mass of the Au + (CH 4 ) n =2,3 complexes corresponding, presumably, to the loss of two H 2 molecules.

Gas-phase metal ion-ligand complexes offer model environments to study molecular interactions that are key to many catalytic processes. Here, we present a combined experimental and computational study of M + (N 2 O) n [M = Cu, Ag, Au; n = 2-7] complexes. The spectra provide clear evidence for both nitrogen- and oxygen-bound ligands giving rise to a wide range of structural isomers for each complex studied. The evolution of the complex structures observed as well as spectral trends for each metal center are interpreted in terms of a molecular orbital binding picture and resulting calculated ligand binding energies. Given the environmental importance of nitrogen oxides, these results have implications for metal-catalyzed removal of nitrous oxide and, particularly, the prospect of initiating infrared-driven isomer-selective chemistry in size-selected complexes.

The structures of gas-phase M + (CO 2 ) n (M = Co, Rh, Ir; n = 2-15) ion-molecule complexes have been investigated using a combination of infrared resonance-enhanced photodissociation (IR-REPD) spectroscopy and density functional theory. The results provide insight into fundamental metal ion-CO 2 interactions, highlighting the trends with increasing ligand number and with different group 9 ions. Spectra have been recorded in the region of the CO 2 asymmetric stretch around 2350 cm -1 using the inert messenger technique and their interpretation has been aided by comparison with simulated infrared spectra of calculated low-energy isomeric structures. All vibrational bands in the smaller complexes are blue-shifted relative to the asymmetric stretch in free CO 2 , consistent with direct binding to the metal center dominated by charge-quadrupole interactions. For all three metal ions, a core [M + (CO 2 ) 2 ] structure is identified to which subsequent ligands are less strongly bound. No evidence is observed in this size regime for complete activation or insertion reactions.

Magnetic fields as weak as the Earth's can change the yields of radical pair reactions even though the energies involved are orders of magnitude smaller than the thermal energy, kBT, at room temperature. Proposed as the source of the light-dependent magnetic compass in migratory birds, the radical pair mechanism is thought to operate in cryptochrome flavoproteins in the retina. Here we demonstrate that the primary magnetic field effect on flavin photoreactions can be amplified chemically by slow radical termination reactions under conditions of continuous photoexcitation. The nature and origin of the amplification are revealed by studies of the intermolecular flavin-tryptophan and flavin-ascorbic acid photocycles and the closely related intramolecular flavin-tryptophan radical pair in cryptochrome. Amplification factors of up to 5.6 were observed for magnetic fields weaker than 1 mT. Substantial chemical amplification could have a significant impact on the viability of a cryptochrome-based magnetic compass sensor.

We report the observation of chemical reactions in gas-phase Rh(n)(N2O)m(+) complexes driven by absorption of blackbody radiation. The experiments are performed under collision-free conditions in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. Mid-infrared absorption by the molecularly adsorbed N2O moieties promotes a small fraction of the cluster distribution sufficiently to drive the N2O decomposition reaction, leading to the production of cluster oxides and the release of molecular nitrogen. N2O decomposition competes with molecular desorption and the branching ratios for the two processes show marked size effects, reflecting variations in the relative barriers. The rate of decay is shown to scale approximately linearly with the number of infrared chromophores. The experimental findings are interpreted in terms of calculated infrared absorption rates assuming a sudden-death limit., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The structures of small gas-phase Pt(n)O(2m)(+) (n = 1-6, m = 1, 2) cluster cations have been investigated in a combined infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) study. On the basis of the infrared spectra obtained, it is concluded that in most clusters oxygen is bound dissociatively, preferring 2-fold bridge binding motifs, sometimes combined with singly coordinated terminal binding. Comparison of the oxide cluster structures with those of bare cationic platinum clusters reported previously reveals major structural changes induced in the platinum core upon oxygen binding. For some cluster sizes the presence of the Ar messenger atom(s) is found to induce a significant change in the observed cluster structure.

Evanescent wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (EW-CRDS) has been employed to study the interfacial adsorption kinetics of coumarin-tagged macromolecules onto a range of functionalized planar surfaces. Such studies are valuable in designing polymers for complex systems where the degree of interaction between the polymer and surface needs to be tailored. Three tagged synthetic polymers with different functionalities are examined: poly(acrylic acid) (PAA), poly(3-sulfopropyl methacrylate, potassium salt) (PSPMA), and a mannose-modified glycopolymer. Adsorption transients at the silica/water interface are found to be characteristic for each polymer, and kinetics are deduced from the initial rates. The chemistry of the adsorption interfaces has been varied by, first, manipulation of silica surface chemistry via the bulk pH, followed by surfaces modified by poly(L-glutamic acid) (PGA) and cellulose, giving five chemically different surfaces. Complementary atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging has been used for additional surface characterization of adsorbed layers and functionalized interfaces to allow adsorption rates to be interpreted more fully. Adsorption rates for PSPMA and the glycopolymer are seen to be highly surface sensitive, with significantly higher rates on cellulose-modified surfaces, whereas PAA shows a much smaller rate dependence on the nature of the adsorption surface.

The dissociative ionization dynamics of excited electronic states of the xenon dimer, Xe(2), have been studied using velocity map ion imaging (VMI). A one-colour, (2+1) resonant excitation scheme was employed to first excite and then ionize selected vibrational levels of the Xe(2) 6p (2)[(1)∕(2)](0) 0(g)(+) Rydberg state. Cationic fragments were then detected by the VMI. The data provide an outstanding example of the reflection principle in photodissociation with the full nodal structure of the Rydberg state wavefunctions clearly observed in the final Xe(+) kinetic energy distributions without the need for scanning the excitation energy. Fitting of the observed distributions provides detailed and precise information on the form of the Xe(2)(+) I((1)/(2)g) potential energy curve involved which is in excellent agreement with the results of photoelectron imaging studies [Shubert and Pratt, J. Chem. Phys. 134, 044315 (2011)]. Furthermore, the anisotropy of the product angular distributions yields information on the evolution of the electronic character of the ionic state with internuclear separation, R. The combination of the nature of dissociative ionization and the extent of the bound state wavefunctions provide information over an unusually wide range of internuclear separation R (ΔR > 0.75 Å). This would normally require scanning over a considerable energy region but is obtained in these studies at a fixed excitation energy., (© 2011 American Institute of Physics)

Evanescent wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (EW-CRDS) has been used to study in situ the kinetics of the adsorption of 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-N-methylpyridiniumyl)porphyrin (TMPyP) from pH 7.4 phosphate buffer solution (PBS) to the silica-water interface and the interaction of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) with the resulting TMPyP-functionalized surface. TMPyP was delivered to the silica surface using an impinging jet technique to allow relatively fast surface kinetics to be accessed. Adsorption was first-order in TMPyP, and the initial adsorption rate constant at the bare surface was found to be k = (4.1 +/- 0.6) x 10(-2) cm s(-1). A deceleration in the adsorption kinetics was observed at longer times that could be described semiquantitatively using an Elovich-type kinetic expression. The limiting value of the absorbance corresponded approximately to monolayer coverage (6.2 x 10(13) molecules cm(-2)). Exposure of the TMPyP-modified silica surface to CT-DNA, achieved by flowing CT-DNA solution over the functionalized surface, resulted in efficient desorption of the TMPyP. The desorption process was driven by the interaction of TMPyP with CT-DNA, which UV-vis spectroscopy indicated involved intercalative binding. The desorption kinetics were also simulated using complementary finite element modeling of convection-diffusion coupled to a surface process.

A white light-emitting diode (LED) with emission between 420 and 700 nm and a supercontinuum (SC) source with emission between 450 and 2500 nm have been compared for use in evanescent wave broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (EW-BB-CEAS). The method is calibrated using a dye with known absorbance. While the LED is more economic as an excitation source, the SC source is superior both in terms of baseline noise (noise equivalent absorbances lower than 10(-5) compared to 10(-4) absorbance units (a.u.)) and accuracy of the measurement; these baseline noise levels are comparable to evanescent wave cavity ringdown spectroscopy (EW-CRDS) studies while the accessible spectral region of EW-BB-CEAS is much larger (420-750 nm in this study, compared to several tens of nanometres for EW-CRDS). The improvements afforded by the use of an SC source in combination with a high sensitivity detector are demonstrated in the broadband detection of electrogenerated Ir(IV) complexes in a thin-layer electrochemical cell arrangement. Excellent signal to noise is achieved with 10 micros signal accumulation times at a repetition rate of 600 Hz, easily fast enough to follow, in real time, solution kinetics and interfacial processes.

Evanescent wave cavity ring-down spectroscopy (EW-CRDS) has been used to study the interaction of the tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(II) complex, [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+), at both native silica surfaces and surfaces modified with polyelectrolyte films. Both poly-l-lysine (PLL) and PLL/poly-l-glutamic acid (PGA) bilayer functionalized interfaces have been studied. Concentration isotherms exhibit Langmuir-type adsorption behavior on both silica and PGA-terminated surfaces from which equilibrium constants have been derived. The pH-dependence of the [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) adsorption to silica and the PLL/PGA film has also been investigated. For the latter substrate, the effective surface pK(a) of the acid groups was found to be 5.5. The effect of supporting electrolyte was also investigated and was shown to have a significant effect on the extent of [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) adsorption. A thin-layer electrochemical cell arrangement, in which a working electrode was positioned just above the substrate, was used to change the solution pH in a controlled way via the potential-pulsed chronoamperometric oxidation of water. By measuring the optical absorption using EW-CRDS during such experiments, the desorption of [Ru(bpy)(3)](2+) from the surface has been monitored in real time. Experiments were carried out at different cell thicknesses and at various pulse durations. By combining data from the EW-CRDS experiments with fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to determine the pH at the substrate surface, the pK(a) of the PLL/PGA film could be ascertained and was found to agree with the static pH isotherm measurements. These studies provide a platform for the further use of electrochemistry combined with EW-CRDS to investigate dynamic processes at interfaces.