Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Imine Metathesis by Silica-Supported Catalysts Using the Methodology of Surface Organometallic Chemistry
Published on: October 18, 2019
IRMPD spectroscopy of anionic group II metal nitrate cluster ions
Christopher M Leavitt1, Jos Oomens, Ryan P Dain
1Department of Chemistry, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas 67260-0051, USA.
Abstract:
Anionic group II metal nitrate clusters of the formula [M(2)(NO(3))(5)](-), where M(2) = Mg(2), MgCa, Ca(2), and Sr(2), are investigated by infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy to obtain vibrational spectra in the mid-IR region. The IR spectra are dominated by the symmetric and the antisymmetric nitrate stretches, with the latter split into high and low-frequency components due to the distortion of nitrate anion symmetry by interactions with the cation. Density functional theory (DFT) is used to predict geometries and vibrational spectra for comparison to the experimental spectra. Calculations yield two stable isomers: the first one contains two terminal nitrate anions on each cation and a single bridging nitrate ("mono-bridging"), while the second structure features a single terminal nitrate on each cation with three bridging nitrate ligands ("tri-bridging"). The tri-bridging isomer is calculated to be lower in energy than the mono-bridging one for all species. Theoretical spectra of the tri-bridging structure provide a better qualitative match to the experimental infrared spectra of [Mg(2)(NO(3))(5)](-) and [MgCa(NO(3))(5)](-). However, the profile of the low-frequency nu(3) band for the Mg(2) complex suggests a third possible isomer not predicted by theory. The IRMPD spectra of the Ca(2) and Sr(2) complexes are better reconciled by a weighted summation of the spectra of both isomers suggesting that a mixture of structures is present.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
IR Spectrum Peak Splitting: Symmetric vs Asymmetric Vibrations
Qualitative Analysis
For instance, group IV...
Valence Bond Theory
Diazonium Group Substitution: –OH and –H
Structural Isomerism
Isomers are different chemical species that have the same chemical formula. Structural isomerism of coordination compounds can be divided into two subcategories, the linkage isomers and coordination-sphere isomers.
Linkage isomers occur when the coordination compound contains a ligand that can bind to the transition metal center through two different atoms. For example, the CN− ligand can bind through the carbon atom or through the nitrogen atom. Similarly, SCN− can be...
Precipitation Titration Curve: Analysis

