Communications: The electronic spectrum of Li ( NH 3 ) 4

Li ( NH 3 ) 4 has been proposed as a key entity in lithium-ammonia solutions, but its spectral signature has so far proved impossible to distinguish from other species in these solutions. Here we report the first electronic spectrum of Li ( NH 3 ) 4 in the gas phase, which was recorded using mass-se...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of chemical physics 2010-04, Vol.132 (16), p.161101-161101-3
Main Authors: Varriale, Luigi, Tonge, Nicola M., Bhalla, Nitika, Ellis, Andrew M.
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Li ( NH 3 ) 4 has been proposed as a key entity in lithium-ammonia solutions, but its spectral signature has so far proved impossible to distinguish from other species in these solutions. Here we report the first electronic spectrum of Li ( NH 3 ) 4 in the gas phase, which was recorded using mass-selective depletion spectroscopy. Strong absorption is observed in the near-infrared and the band system is assigned to the A ̃ T 2 2 - X ̃ A 2 1 transition in a nominally tetrahedral complex. However, the vibrational structure is indicative of a substantial Jahn-Teller effect in the excited electronic state. The broad and structured spectrum confirms a recent theoretical prediction that the electronic spectrum of Li ( NH 3 ) 4 will strongly overlap with the spectrum of the solvated electron in lithium-ammonia solutions.
ISSN:0021-9606
1089-7690
DOI:10.1063/1.3396023