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Cryo infrared spectroscopy of N2 adsorption onto bimetallic rhodium–iron clusters in isolation
(2021)
We investigated the N2 adsorption behavior of bimetallic rhodium–iron cluster cations [RhiFej(N2)m]+ by means of InfraRed MultiplePhotoDissociation (IR-MPD) spectroscopy in comparison with density functional theory (DFT) modeling. This approach allows us to refine our kinetic results [Ehrhard et al., J. Chem. Phys. (in press)] to enhance our conclusions. We focus on a selection of cluster adsorbate complexes within the ranges of i = j = 3–8 and m = 1–10. For i = j = 3, 4, DFT suggests alloy structures in the case of i = j = 4 of high (D2d) symmetry: Rh–Fe bonds are preferred instead of Fe–Fe bonds or Rh–Rh bonds. N2 adsorption and IR-MPD studies reveal strong evidence for preferential adsorption to Rh sites and mere secondary adsorption to Fe. In some cases, we observe adsorption isomers. With the help of modeling the cluster adsorbate complex [Rh3Fe3(N2)7]+, we find clear evidence that the position of IR bands allows for an element specific assignment of an adsorption site. We transfer these findings to the [Rh4Fe4(N2)m]+ cluster adsorbate complex where the first four N2 molecules are exclusively adsorbed to the Rh atoms. The spectra of the larger adsorbates reveal N2 adsorption onto the Fe atoms. Thus, the spectroscopic findings are well interpreted for the smaller clusters in terms of computed structures, and both compare well to those of our accompanying kinetic study [Ehrhard et al., J. Chem. Phys. (in press)]. In contrast to our previous studies of bare rhodium clusters, the present investigations do not provide any indication for a spin quench in [RhiFej(N2)m]+ upon stepwise N2 adsorption.
We report the N2 cryo adsorption kinetics of selected gas phase mixed rhodium–iron clusters [RhiFej]+ in the range of i = 3–8 and j = 3–8 in 26 K He buffer gas by the use of a cryo tandem RF-hexapole trap–Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. From kinetic data and fits, we extract relative rate constants for each N2 adsorption step and possible desorption steps. We find significant trends in adsorption behavior, which reveal adsorption limits, intermittent adsorption limits, and equilibrium reactions. For those steps, which are in equilibrium, we determine the Gibbs free energies. We conclude on likely ligand shell reorganization and some weakly bound N2 ligands for clusters where multiple N2 adsorbates are in equilibrium. The relative rate constants are transferred to absolute rate constants, which are slightly smaller than the collision rate constants calculated by the average dipole orientation (Langevin) theory. The calculated sticking probabilities increase, in general, with the size of the clusters and decrease with the level of N2 adsorption, in particular, when reaching an adsorption/desorption equilibrium. We receive further evidence on cluster size dependent properties, such as cluster geometries and metal atom distributions within the clusters through the accompanying spectroscopic and computational study on the equiatomic i = j clusters [Klein et al., J. Chem. Phys. 156, 014302 (2022)].
Infrared photodissociation (IR-PD) spectra of iron cluster dinitrogen adsorbate complexes [Fen(N2)m]+ for n = 8–20 reveal slightly redshifted IR active bands in the region of 2200–2340 cm−1. These bands mostly relate to stretching vibrations of end-on coordinated N2 chromophores, a μ1,end end-on binding motif. Density Functional Theory (DFT) modeling and detailed analysis of n = 13 complexes are consistent with an icosahedral Fe13+ core structure. The first adsorbate shell closure at (n,m) = (13,12)—as recognized by the accompanying paper on the kinetics of N2 uptake by cationic iron clusters—comes with extensive IR-PD band broadening resulting from enhanced couplings among adjacent N2 adsorbates. DFT modeling predicts spin quenching by N2 adsorption as evidenced by the shift of the computed spin minima among possible spin states (spin valleys). The IR-PD spectrum of (17,1) surprisingly reveals an absence of any structure but efficient non-resonant fragmentation, which might indicate some weakly bound (roaming) N2 adsorbate. The multiple and broad bands of (17,m) for all other cases than (17,1) and (17,7) indicate a high degree of variation in N2 binding motifs and couplings. In contrast, the (17,7) spectrum of six sharp bands suggests pairwise equivalent N2 adsorbates. The IR-PD spectra of (18,m) reveal additional features in the 2120–2200 cm−1 region, which we associate with a μ1,side side-on motif. Some additional features in the (18,m) spectra at high N2 loads indicate a μ1,tilt tilted end-on adsorption motif.
This thesis presents research studies on the fundamental interplay of diatomic molecules with transition metal compounds under cryogenic conditions. The utilized setup offers a multitude of opportunities to study isolated ions: The ions can either be generated by an ElectroSpray Ionization (ESI) source or a Laser VAPorization (LVAP) cluster ion source. The setup facilitates kinetic investigations of the ions with different reaction gases under well-defined isothermal conditions. Moreover it enables cryo InfraRed (Multiple) Photon Dissociation (IR-(M)PD) spectroscopy in combination with tunable OPO/OPA laser systems. In conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) modelling, the IR(M)-PD spectra allow for an assignment of geometric minimum structures. Furthermore DFT modelling helps to identify possible reaction pathways. Altogether the presented methods allow to gain fundamental insights into molecular structures and reactivity of the investigated systems.
The first part of this thesis focuses on the interplay of N2 with different transition metal clusters (Con+, Nin+, and Fen+) by cryo IR spectroscopy and cryo kinetics. In conjunction with DFT modelling the N2 coordination was elucidated (Con+), structures were assigned (Nin+), the concept of structure related surface adsorption behavior was introduced (Nin+), and the a first explanation for the inertness if Fe17+ was given (Fen+). Furthermore this thesis provides for a case study on the coadsorption of H2 and N2 on Ru8+ that elucidates the H migration on the Ru cluster. The last part of the thesis addresses the IR spectra of in vacuo generated [Hemin]+ complexes with N2, O2, and CO. Structures and spin states were assigned with the help of DFT modelling.