Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 23, 2026

10:37
Spatial Separation of Molecular Conformers and Clusters
Published on: January 9, 2014
Field induced ion-pair formation from ICl studied by optical triple resonance
Faraday Discussions
|October 21, 2000
Summary
Researchers explored ion-pair states in ICl molecules using multiphoton excitation. High vibrational levels were detected, showing survival for microseconds, indicating molecular stabilization near dissociation.
Area of Science:
- Chemical Physics
- Molecular Spectroscopy
- Quantum Chemistry
Background:
- Understanding molecular dissociation pathways is crucial for chemical dynamics.
- Ion-pair states represent a key intermediate in dissociative processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate multiphoton excitation pathways to ion-pair states in ICl.
- To characterize the stability and properties of highly vibrationally excited states near the dissociation limit.
Main Methods:
- Utilized multiphoton excitation to access high vibrational levels in ICl.
- Employed pulsed field ionization (PFI) to detect I+ and Cl- ion fragments.
- Varied time delays in PFI to probe the lifetime of excited states.
Main Results:
- Observed ion-pair states up to 50 cm-1 below the dissociation limit surviving for over 2 microseconds.
- Detected a structured atomic ion production signal, indicating the influence of doorway states.
- Demonstrated efficient coupling between doorway states and the ion-pair manifold, competing with decay processes.
Conclusions:
- Identified a stabilization mechanism for highly vibrationally excited ion-pair states in ICl.
- Highlighted the significant role of doorway states in accessing the ion-pair manifold near dissociation.
- Provided insights into the dynamics of molecular dissociation and energy transfer processes.
Related Concept Videos
Valence Bond Theory
Coordination compounds and complexes exhibit different colors, geometries, and magnetic behavior, depending on the metal atom/ion and ligands from which they are composed. In an attempt to explain the bonding and structure of coordination complexes, Linus Pauling proposed the valence bond theory, or VBT, using the concepts of hybridization and the overlapping of the atomic orbitals. According to VBT, the central metal atom or ion (Lewis acid) hybridizes to provide empty orbitals of suitable...
Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
Crystal Field Theory
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
IR Absorption Frequency: Hybridization
Hydrocarbons such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes show characteristic C–H stretching absorption bands. These IR stretching frequencies depend on the hybridization of the involved carbon atom and can be explained in terms of the s character of each hybridized atomic orbital.
Among the sp, sp2, and sp3 hybridized orbitals, sp orbitals have the maximum s character (50%). Consequently, the electrons are held more closely to the nucleus, resulting in stronger and shorter C–H bonds that stretch at a...
Among the sp, sp2, and sp3 hybridized orbitals, sp orbitals have the maximum s character (50%). Consequently, the electrons are held more closely to the nucleus, resulting in stronger and shorter C–H bonds that stretch at a...
IR Spectrum Peak Intensity: Dipole Moment
The dipole moment of a bond is the product of the partial charge on either atom and the distance between them. Dipole moments influence the efficiency of IR absorption and the peak intensity. When a bond with a dipole moment is placed in an electric field, the direction of the field determines if the bond is compressed or stretched. Electromagnetic radiation consists of an electric field component that rapidly reverses direction. It follows that polar bonds are alternately stretched and...
Ion-Exchange Chromatography
Ion-exchange chromatography, or IEC, is a technique for separating ions based on their affinity for the stationary phase. The stationary phase is a cross-linked polymer resin with covalently attached ionic functional groups. The functional groups can be either positively charged (cation exchangers) or negatively charged (anion exchangers). A cation exchanger consists of a polymeric anion and active cations, while an anion exchanger is a polymeric cation with active anions. The choice of...
Ionic Association
The ionic association is the association of oppositely charged ions in an electrolyte solution to form ion pairs. Bjerrum defined ion pairs as two oppositely charged ions whose electrostatic attraction exceeds the thermal energy of the system, typically expressed as 2kT. Electrostatic attraction depends on ionic charge, separation distance, and the dielectric constant of the medium. Thermal energy, represented by kT, reflects the tendency of ions to move independently due to molecular motion.

