Curious matrix effects: a computational, electron diffraction, and vibrational spectroscopic study of dysprosium
Zoltán Varga1, Cornelis Petrus Groen, Mária Kolonits
1Materials Structure and Modeling Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, P.O. Box 91, 1521, Budapest, Hungary.
High-level computations and spectroscopy reveal dysprosium triiodide (DyI(3)) is planar. Dimer geometry is influenced by 4f orbital occupation, with matrix isolation showing complex formation.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Computational Chemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Understanding the structure of rare-earth trihalides is crucial for materials science.
- Dysprosium triiodide (DyI(3)) and its dimer Dy(2)I(6) are key compounds in this series.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the molecular and electronic structure of DyI(3) and Dy(2)I(6).
- To investigate structural trends within the dysprosium trihalide series.
Main Methods:
- High-level computational chemistry.
- Gas-phase electron diffraction.
- Gas-phase infrared and matrix-isolation infrared and Raman spectroscopy.
Main Results:
- The free monomeric DyI(3) molecule is planar with an equilibrium bond length of 2.808(9) Å.
- Gas-phase electron diffraction yielded a thermal average bond length of 2.828(6) Å.
- Matrix-isolation experiments indicated complex formation leading to pyramidalisation of DyI(3) molecules.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive structural analysis of DyI(3) and its dimer.
- Computational results suggest dimer geometry is sensitive to the occupation of partially filled 4f orbitals.
- Observed spectral features are explained by the coexistence of planar and pyramidal DyI(3) forms in matrices.
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