Solvation effects on angular distributions in H-(NH 3)n and NH2-(NH3) n photodetachment: Role of solute electronic structure

Emily R. Grumbling, Andrei Sanov

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report 355 and 532 nm photoelectron imaging results for H -(NH3)n and NH2-(NH 3)n, n=0-5. The photoelectron spectra are consistent with the electrostatic picture of a charged solute (H- or NH 2-) solvated by n ammonia molecules. For a given number of solvent molecules, the NH2- core anion is stabilized more strongly than H-, yet the photoelectron angular distributions for solvated H- deviate more strongly from the unsolvated limit than those for solvated NH2-. Hence, we conclude that solvation effects on photoelectron angular distributions are dependent on the electronic structure of the anion, i.e., the type of the initial orbital of the photodetached electron, rather than merely the strength of solvation interactions. We also find evidence of photofragmentation and autodetachment of NH2-(NH3)2-5, as well as autodetachment of H-(NH3)5, upon 532 nm excitation of these species.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number164301
JournalJournal of Chemical Physics
Volume135
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 28 2011

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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