Quantum Chemical View on the Growth Mechanisms of Odd-Sized Nitrogen Cluster Anions

The stable structures of odd-numbered anionic nitrogen clusters, N_{2 n+3}^-, have been theoretically investigated in the size range n = 1-9 using a variety of quantum chemistry methods that include perturbation theory, coupled cluster, and density-functional theory with different exchange-correlation functionals. We generally find that the clusters are composed of an azide chromophore N₃^- surrounded by essentially neutral nitrogen molecules. The growth initially proceeds by placing the neutral molecules parallel to the azide anion, completing a first shell at N₁₃^-, above which the extra molecules arrange on the side but with a significantly lower binding energy. Comparison with the cyclic N₅^- anionic core shows that the latter is unfavorable, the spectral signatures of both N₅^- and N₂N₃^- being provided in both the infrared and ultraviolet ranges. The trend of these clusters to be highly stable as (N₂) _nN₃^- agrees with recent mass spectrometry experiments under the cryogenic environment of helium droplets. The issues associated with the successful development of a nonreactive force field for such clusters are also highlighted.