Structure And Dynamics Of Weakly Bound Molecular Complexes

The study of weakly bound molecular complexes has in recent years brought this field of investigation to the forefront of physical and chemical research. The scope of the subject is wide and different terminology and nomenclature is current among the various subspecialties. Thus, the term "metal cluster" often connotes to the organic chemist a metal-organic compound, while the physicist will more likely think of groups of metal atoms held together by weak interatomic forces. Aggregates, clusters, complexes, van der Waals molecules, hydrogen-bonded molecules, etc. are terms currently in use, sometimes interchangeably while other times with well defined and mutually exclusive meanings. The subjects of this volume are the free, isolated vim der Waals and hydrogen-bonded molecules. Owing to the present state of experimental knowledge these are mostly dimers, i. e. , entities formed by two strongly bound molecules, an atom and a molecule, or two atoms held together by the weak hydrogen-bonding, or the still weaker van der Waals forces. Weakly bound complexes formed of more than two strongly bound sub-units, i. e. , trimers, tetramers, etc. , are now coming within reachof experimental observation and several papers in this book deal with them. The study of van der Waals and hydrogen-bonded interactions has been pursued for several decades. Most of these ,investigations have, however, dealt with systems in the condensed phase in which bulk effects are commingled with and therefore mask the weak binary interactions.

From the beginnings of modern chemistry, molecular structure has been a lively area of research and speculation. For more than half a century spectroscopy and other methods have been available to characterize the structures and shapes of molecules, particularly those that are rigid. However, most molecules are at least to some degree non-rigid and this non-rigidity plays an important role in such diverse areas as biological activity, energy transfer, and chemical reactivity. In addition, the large-amplitude vibrations present in non-rigid molecules give rise to unusual low-energy vibrational level patterns which have a dramatic effect on the thermodynamic properties of these systems. Only in recent years has a coherent picture of the energetics and dynamics of the conformational changes inherent in non-rigid (and semi-rigid) molecules begun to emerge. Advances have been made in a number of different experimental areas: vibrational (infrared and Raman) spectroscopy, rotational (microwave) spectroscopy, electron diffraction, and, most recently, laser techniques probing both the ground and excited electronic states. Theoretically, the proliferation of powerful computers coupled with scientific insight has allowed both empirical and ab initio methods to increase our understanding of the forces responsible for the structures and energies of non-rigid systems. The development of theory (group theoretical methods and potential energy surfaces) to understand the unique characteristics of the spectra of these floppy molecules has also been necessary to reach our present level of understanding. The thirty chapters in this volume contributed by the key speakers at the Workshop are divided over the various areas. Both vibrational and rotational spectroscopy have been effective at determining the potential energy surfaces for non-rigid molecules, often in a complementary manner. Recent laser fluorescence work has extended these types of studies to electronic excited states. Electronic diffraction methods provide radial distribution functions from which both molecular structures and compositions of conformational mixtures can be found. Ab initio calculations have progressed substantially over the past few years, and, when carried out at a sufficiently high level, can accurately reproduce (or predict ahead of time) experimental findings. Much of the controversy of the ARW related to the question of when an ab initio is reliable. Since the computer programs are readily available, many poor calculations have been carried out. However, excellent results can be obtained from computations when properly done. A similar situation exists for experimental analyses. The complexities of non-rigid molecules are many, but major strides have been taken to understand their structures and conformational processes.

This publication is the Proceedings of the NATO Advanced Research Workshop (ARW) on the Dynamics of Polyatomic Van der Waals Molecules held at the Chateau de Bonas, Castera-Verduzan, France, from August 21 through August 26, 1989. Van der Waals complexes provide important model problems for understanding energy transfer and dissipation. These processes can be described in great detail for Van der Waals complexes, and the insight gained from such studies can be applied to more complicated chemical problems that are not amenable to detailed study. The workshop concentrated on the current questions and future prospects for extend ing our highly detailed knowledge of triatomic Van der Waals molecule dynamics to polyatomic molecules and clusters (one molecule surrounded by several, or up to sev eral tens of, atoms). Both experimental and theoretical studies were discussed, with particular emphasis on the dynamical behavior of dissociation as observed in the dis tributions of quantum states of the dissociation product molecules. The discussion of theoretical approaches covered the range from complete ab initio studies with a rig orous quantum mechanical treatment of the dynamics to the empirical determination of potential energy surfaces and a classical mechanical treatment of the dynamics. Time independent, time dependent and statistical approaches were considered. The workshop brought together experts from different fields which, we hope, benefited from their mutual interaction around the central theme of the Dynamics of Van der Waals complexes.

The properties of chemical, pharmaceutical, and biological compounds depend mainly on their molecular structure, whose determination is of fundamental interest. This book examines and systematizes more than three hundred striking structural determinations of free molecules. Featuring high-quality structural data and presenting modern techniques of their determinations by quantum chemistry, high-resolution spectroscopy and electron diffraction, the book is an indispensable resource for graduate students and professional scientists specializing in structural chemistry and other related fields.

The workshop on "The structure of small molecules and ions" was held at the Neve-Han guest house, near Jerusalem, Israel on December 13 to 18 in mem ory of the late Professor Itzhak Plesser. Professor Plesser played a central role in the research done both at the Weizmann Institute and at Argonne National Laboratories on the "Coulomb explosion" method. His friends honored his memory by organizing a meeting in which subjects related to Plesser's interests would be discussed. Just a week be fore the conference started we were struck by another tragedy -the death of our graduate student Ms. Hana Kovner, who participated in many of the Coulomb explosion experiments at the Weizmann Institute. We would like to dedicate these proceedings to her memory as well. The goal of the workshop was to bring together chemists and physicists working on different aspects of the structural problems of small molecular en tities. The time seemed appropriate for discussing experimental and theoretical concepts, since in recent years new methods have been introduced, and a large amount of information has been accumulated on systems not studied before, like unstable molecules, ions, van der Waals molecules and clusters. The program of the workshop reflects, we believe, these new developments. The meeting was characterized by intensive discussions in which the weak nesses and strengths of new and of well established concepts were revealed. We hope that it measured up to the high standards Itzhak Plesser maintained all through his scientific life.

This book introduces systematically the concept of weakly-bound complexes into the broad field of atmospheric sciences. To fill up the gap between our rapidly expanding knowledge of the individual properties of Van der Waals and hydrogen-bonded molecules, and our understanding of their role in the atmospheric processes, an ensemble of related topics are covered by a team of expert co-authors. The general properties of the weakly bound molecular complexes (or “clusters”) are discussed, as well as their distribution in the planetary atmospheres. Collision-induced and dimeric absorption and emission are considered in the context of atmospheric spectroscopy. The advanced experimental techniques which enable us to study the spectroscopic features of molecular complexes in the gas phase, or which are adsorbed, are reviewed. The role of molecular complexes in the cometary atmosphere, the Earth mesosphere, and the atmospheres of the giant planets and some of their satellites are also discussed in detail.

Spectroscopic Properties of Inorganic and Organometallic Compounds provides a unique source of information on an important area of chemistry. Divided into sections mainly according to the particular spectroscopic technique used, coverage in each volume includes: NMR (with reference to stereochemistry, dynamic systems, paramagnetic complexes, solid state NMR and Groups 13-18); nuclear quadrupole resonance spectroscopy; vibrational spectroscopy of main group and transition element compounds and coordinated ligands; and electron diffraction. Reflecting the growing volume of published work in this field, researchers will find this Specialist Periodical Report an invaluable source of information on current methods and applications. Specialist Periodical Reports provide systematic and detailed review coverage in major areas of chemical research. Compiled by teams of leading experts in their specialist fields, this series is designed to help the chemistry community keep current with the latest developments in their field. Each volume in the series is published either annually or biennially and is a superb reference point for researchers. www.rsc.org/spr

In Dynamical Processes in Molecular Physics, leading European lecturers outline the fundamental aspects of dynamical processes in molecular physics. The papers included in this book make a valuable contribution to the teaching of molecular physics as well as discussing advances in this area. It covers a wide range of interesting and relevant topics, both experimental and theoretical. Physicists and physical chemists at graduate and research level will find this an invaluable reference.