23 research outputs found

    Photoionization spectroscopy of CH3C3N in the vacuum-ultraviolet range

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    International audienceUsing vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) synchrotron radiation, threshold and dissociative photoionization of cyanopropyne (CH3C3N) in the gas phase have been studied from 86 000 cm−1 up to 180 000 cm−1 by recording Threshold-PhotoElectron Spectrum (TPES) and PhotoIon Yield (PIY). Ionization energies of the four lowest electronic states X̃+2E,Ã+2A1,B̃+2E and C̃+ of CH3C3N+ are derived from the TPES with a better accuracy than previously reported. The adiabatic ionization potential of CH3C3N is measured as 86872±20 cm−1. A description of the vibrational structure of these states is proposed leading to the first determination of the vibrational frequencies for most modes. The vibrational assignments of the X̃+ state are supported by density functional theory calculations. In addition, dissociative photoionization spectra have been recorded for several cationic fragments in the range 12–15.5 eV (96 790–125 000 cm−1) and they bring new information on the photophysics of CH3C3N+. Threshold energies for the cationic dissociative channels leading to CH2C3N+, CHC3N+, HC3H+, HCNH+ and CH3+ have been measured for the first time and are compared with quantum chemical calculations

    Theoretical description of electronically excited vinylidene up to 10 eV: First high level ab initio study of singlet valence and Rydberg states

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    The first quantitative description of the Rydberg and valence singlet electronic states of vinylidene lying in the 0-10 eV region is performed by using large scale ab initio calculations. A deep analysis of Rydberg-valence interactions has been achieved thanks to the comprehensive information contained in the accurate Multi-Reference Configuration Interaction wavefunctions and an original population analysis highlighting the respective role played by orbital and state mixing in such interactions. The present theoretical approach is thus adequate for dealing with larger than diatomic Rydberg systems. The nine lowest singlet valence states have been optimized. Among them, some are involved in strong Rydberg-valence interactions in the region of the Rydberg state equilibrium geometry. The Rydberg states of vinylidene present a great similarity with the acetylene isomer, concerning their quantum defects and Rydberg molecular orbital character. As in acetylene, strong s-d mixing is revealed in the n = 3 s-d supercomplex. Nevertheless, unlike in acetylene, the close-energy of the two vinylidene ionic cores 2A1 and 2B1 results into two overlapped Rydberg series. These Rydberg series exhibit local perturbations when an accidental degeneracy occurs between them and results in avoided crossings. In addition, some Δl = 1 (s-p and p-d) mixings arise for some Rydberg states and are rationalized in term of electrostatic interaction from the electric dipole moment of the ionic core. The strongest dipole moment of the 2 B1 cationic state also stabilizes the lowest members of the n = 3 Rydberg series converging to this excited state, as compared to the adjacent series converging toward the 2A1 ionic ground state. The overall energies of vinylidene Rydberg states lie above their acetylene counterpart. Finally, predictions for optical transitions in singlet vinylidene are suggested for further experimental spectroscopic characterization of vinylidene.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

    Vinylidene-acetylene cation isomerization investigated by large scale ab initio calculations.

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    The planar isomerization routes of the vinylidene/acetylene cation in the lowest electronic states are accurately examined for the first time, by using large scale MRCI and CCSDT calculations in a complementary way. They are compared with the similar calculations performed for the neutral ground state isomerization. An accurate value of the adiabatic ionization potential of vinylidene (11.26 eV) is predicted. The vinylidene cation lowest state, 1 2A1, follows an almost flat pathway with a shallow secondary minimum on the 1 2A' potential energy surface, before suddenly dropping to the stable acetylene cation ground state, X 2Piu. It is therefore confirmed to be completely unstable with respect to isomerization. The first excited state of the vinylidene cation, 1 2B1, which also correlates with the 2Piu ground state of acetylene cation along a 2A' isomerization route, has been studied at the same level of calculation. This 1 2B1 state is lying only 0.15 eV above the 1 2A1 state, and exhibits a potential energy barrier of 0.55 eV which explains the earlier assignment of this symmetry to the ground state of vinylidene cation. In addition to large scale calculations, a comprehensive description of the important steps of isomerization drawn from a very simple model involving monoconfigurational states is presented. In particular, the behavior of one unique orbital, namely, the 5a1 outer molecular orbital, is shown to completely govern the molecular geometry and energy evolution along the isomerization route of the ground state cation C2H2+.Journal ArticleSCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe

    Experimental and ab initio characterization of HC3N+ vibronic structure. II. High-resolution VUV PFI-ZEKE spectroscopy

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    Vacuum-ultraviolet pulsed-field-ionization zero-kinetic-energy photoelectron spectra of X+Π2←XΣ+1 and B+Π2←XΣ+1 transitions of the HC314N and HC315N isotopologues of cyanoacetylene have been recorded. The resolution of the photoelectron spectra allowed us to resolve the vibrational structures and the spin-orbit splittings in the cation. Accurate values of the adiabatic ionization potentials of the two isotopologues (EI/hc(HC314N)=93 909(2) cm-1 and EI/hc(HC315N)=93 912(2) cm-1), the vibrational frequencies of the ν2, ν6, and ν7 vibrational modes, and the spin-orbit coupling constant (ASO = -44(2) cm-1) of the X+Π2 cationic ground state have been derived from the measurements. Using ab initio calculations, the unexpected structure of the B+Π2←XΣ+1 transition is tentatively attributed to a conical intersection between the A+ and B+ electronic states of the cation.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe
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