title: Photoelectron spectroscopy of the molecular anions, ZrO-, HfO-, HfHO-, and HfO2H-.
abstract: Negative ion photoelectron spectra of ZrO(-), HfO(-), HfHO(-), and HfO(2)H(-) are reported. Even though zirconium- and hafnium-containing molecules typically exhibit similar chemistries, the negative ion photoelectron spectral profiles of ZrO(-) and HfO(-) are dramatically different from one another. By comparing these data with relevant theoretical and experimental studies, as well as by using insights drawn from atomic spectra, spin-orbit interactions, and relativistic effects, the photodetachment transitions in the spectra of ZrO(-) and HfO(-) were assigned. As a result, the electron affinities of ZrO and HfO were determined to be 1.26 ± 0.05 eV and 0.60 ± 0.05 eV, respectively. The anion photoelectron spectra of HfHO(-) and HfO(2)H(-) are similar to one another and their structural connectivities are likely to be H-Hf-O(-) and O-Hf-OH(-), respectively. The electron affinities of HfHO and HfO(2)H are 1.70 ± 0.05 eV and 1.73 ± 0.05 eV, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, USA.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Weijun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buonaugurio
authors.forename: Allyson
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buytendyk
authors.forename: Kit
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bowen
authors.forename: Krishnan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Balasubramanian