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We have prepared the hydrogen sulfide trimer and tetramer anions, (H 2 S) 3 − and (H 2 S) 4 − , measured their anion photoelectron spectra, and applied high-level quantum chemical calculations to interpret the results. The sharp peaks at low electron binding energies in their photoelectron spectra and their diffuse Dyson orbitals are evidence for them both being dipole-bound anions. While the dipole moments of the neutral (H 2 S) 3 and (H 2 S) 4 clusters are small, the excess electron induces structural distortions that enhance the charge-dipolar attraction and facilitate the binding of diffuse electrons.
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The metallo-formate anions, M(CO 2 ) − , M = Ni, Pd, and Pt, were formed by electron-induced CO 2 activation. They were generated by laser vaporization and characterized by a combination of mass spectrometry, anion photoelectron spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations. While neutral transition metal atoms are normally unable to activate CO 2 , the addition of an excess electron to these systems led to the formation of chemisorbed anionic complexes. These are covalently bound, formate-like anions, in which their CO 2 moieties are significantly reduced. In addition, we also found evidence for an unexpectedly attractive interaction between neutral Pd atoms and CO 2 .more » « less
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Quadrupole-bound anions are negative ions in which their excess electrons are loosely bound by long-range electron-quadrupole attractions. Experimental evidence for quadrupole-bound anions has been scarce; until now, only trans -succinonitrile had been experimentally confirmed to form a quadrupole-bound anion. In this study, we present experimental evidence for a new quadrupole-bound anion. Our combined Rydberg electron transfer/anion photoelectron spectroscopy study demonstrates that the ee conformer of 1,4-dicyanocyclohexane (DCCH) supports a quadrupole-bound anion state, and that the cis -DCCH conformer forms a dipole-bound anion state. The electron binding energies of the quadrupole- and dipole-bound anions are measured as 18 and 115 meV, respectively, both of which are in excellent agreement with theoretical calculations by Sommerfeld.more » « less
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Abstract We reply to the comment by S. Pan and G. Frenking who challenged our interpretation of the Na−:→BH3dative bond in the recently synthesized NaBH3−cluster. Our conclusion remains the same as that in our original paper (https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201907089andhttps://doi.org/10.1002/ange.201907089). This conclusion is additionally supported by the energetic pathways and NBO charges calculated at UCCSD and CASMP2(4,4) levels of theory. We also discussed the suitability of the Laplacian of electron density (QTAIM) and Adaptive Natural Density Partitioning (AdNDP) method for bond type assignment. It seems that AdNDP yields more sensible results. This discussion reveals that the complex realm of bonding is full of semantic inconsistencies, and we invite experimentalists and theoreticians to elaborate this topic and find solutions incorporating different views on the dative bond.more » « less
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Abstract Mass spectrometric analysis of the anionic products of interaction between platinum atomic anions, Pt−, and methane, CH4and CD4, in a collision cell shows the preferred generation of [PtCH4]−and [PtCD4]−complexes and a low tendency toward dehydrogenation. [PtCH4]−is shown to be H−Pt−CH3−by a synergy between anion photoelectron spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations, implying the rupture of a single C−H bond. The calculated reaction pathway accounts for the observed selective activation of methane by Pt−. This study presents the first example of methane activation by a single atomic anion.more » « less
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Abstract We report a Na:−→B dative bond in the NaBH3−cluster, which was designed on the principle of minimum‐energy rupture, prepared by laser vaporization, and characterized by a synergy of anion photoelectron spectroscopy and electronic structure calculations. The global minimum of NaBH3−features a Na−B bond. Its preferred heterolytic dissociation conforms with the IUPAC definition of dative bond. The lone electron pair revealed on Na and the negative Laplacian of electron density at the bond critical point further confirm the dative nature of the Na−B bond. This study represents the first example of a Lewis adduct with an alkalide as the Lewis base.more » « less
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Abstract Halogen bonding (XB) has emerged as an important bonding motif in supramolecules and biological systems. Although regarded as a strong noncovalent interaction, benchmark measurements of the halogen bond energy are scarce. Here, a combined anion photoelectron spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) study of XB in solvated Br−anions is reported. The XB strength between the positively‐charged σ‐hole on the Br atom of the bromotrichloromethane (CCl3Br) molecule and the Br−anion was found to be 0.63 eV (14.5 kcal mol−1). In the neutral complexes, Br(CCl3Br)1,2, the attraction between the free Br atom and the negatively charged equatorial belt on the Br atom of CCl3Br, which is a second type of halogen bonding, was estimated to have interaction strengths of 0.15 eV (3.5 kcal mol−1) and 0.12 eV (2.8 kcal mol−1).more » « less
