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Photofragment spectroscopy is used to measure the vibrational spectra of V2(+)(CH4)n (n = 1–4), V3(+)(CH4)n (n = 1–3), and Vx(+)(CH4) (x = 4–8) in the C–H stretching region (2550–3100 cm−1). Spectra are measured by monitoring loss of CH4. The experimental spectra are compared to simulations at the B3LYP+D3/6-311++G(3df,3pd) level of theory to identify the geometry of the ions. Multi-reference configuration interaction with Davidson correction (MRCI+Q) calculations are also carried out on V2(+) and V3(+). The methane binding orientation in V2(+)(CH4)n (n = 1–4) evolves from η3 to η2 as more methane molecules are added. The IR spectra of metal-methane clusters can give information on the structure of metal clusters that may otherwise be hard to obtain from isolated clusters. For example, the V3(+)(CH4)n (n = 1–3) experimental spectra show an additional peak as the second and third methane molecules are added to V3(+), which indicates that the metal atoms are not equivalent. The Vx(+)(CH4) show a larger red shift in the symmetric C–H stretch for larger clusters with x = 5–8 than for the small clusters with x = 2, 3, indicating increased covalency in the interaction of larger vanadium clusters with methane. 

The vibrational structure and binding motifs of vanadium cation-ethane clusters, V(+)(C2H6)n, for n = 1 – 4 are probed using infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the C-H stretching region (2550 – 3100 cm-1). Comparison of spectra to scaled harmonic frequency spectra obtained using density functional theory suggest that ethane exhibits two primary binding motifs when interacting with the vanadium cation, an end-on 𝜂2 configuration and a side-on configuration. The lower-energy side-on configuration predominates in smaller clusters, but the end-on configuration becomes important for larger clusters as it helps to maintain a roughly square planar geometry about the central vanadium. Proximate C-H bonds exhibit elongation and large red-shifts when compared to bare ethane, particularly in the case of the side-on isomer, which are underestimated by scaled harmonic frequency calculations, demonstrating initial effects of C-H bond activation. 

The bond strength and photodissociation dynamics of MgI+ are determined by a combination of theory, photodissociation spectroscopy, and photofragment velocity map imaging. From 17 000 to 21 500 cm−1, the photodissociation spectrum of MgI+ is broad and unstructured; photofragment images in this region show perpendicular anisotropy, which is consistent with absorption to the repulsive wall of the (1) Ω = 1 or (2) Ω = 1 states followed by direct dissociation to ground state products Mg+ (2S) + I (2P3/2). Analysis of photofragment images taken at photon energies near the threshold gives a bond dissociation energy D0(Mg+-I) = 203.0 ± 1.8 kJ/mol (2.10 ± 0.02 eV; 17 000 ± 150 cm−1). At photon energies of 33 000–41 000 cm−1, exclusively I+ fragments are formed. Over most of this region, the formation of I+ is not energetically allowed via one-photon absorption from the ground state of MgI+. Images show the observed product is due to resonance enhanced two-photon dissociation. The photodissociation spectrum from 33 000 to 38 500 cm−1 shows vibrational structure, giving an average excited state vibrational spacing of 227 cm−1. This is consistent with absorption to the (3) Ω = 0+ state from ν = 0, 1 of the (1) Ω = 0+ ground state; from the (3) Ω = 0+ state, absorption of a second photon results in dissociation to Mg* (3P°J) + I+ (3PJ). From 38 500 to 41 000 cm−1, the spectrum is broad and unstructured. We attribute this region of the spectrum to one-photon dissociation of vibrationally hot MgI+ at low energy and ground state MgI+ at higher energy to form Mg (1S) + I+ (3PJ) products. 

Electronic excitation and concomitant energy transfer leading to Penning ionization in argon–acetylene clusters generated in a supersonic expansion are investigated with synchrotron-based photoionization mass spectrometry and electronic structure calculations. Spectral features in the photoionization efficiency of the mixed argon–acetylene clusters reveal a blue shift from the 2 P 1/2 and 2 P 3/2 excited states of atomic argon. Analysis of this feature suggests that excited states of argon clusters transfer energy to acetylene, resulting in its ionization and successive evaporation of argon. Theoretically calculated Ar n ( n = 2–6) cluster spectra are in excellent agreement with experimental observations, and provide insight into the structure and ionization dynamics of the clusters. A comparison between argon–acetylene and argon–water clusters reveals that argon solvates water better, allowing for higher-order excitons and Rydberg states to be populated. These results are explained by theoretical calculations of respective binding energies and structures.