Spectroscopy and chemical dynamics of weakly bound alkaline-earth metal ion-H and alkaline-earth metal ion-hydrocarbon complexes 2

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Abstract
The activation of hydrocarbon bonds by metal atoms are among the most vital processes in chemistry. This review focuses on the spectroscopy and chemical dynamics of weakly bound alkaline-earth metal ion-H and alkaline-earth metal ion-hydrocarbon bimolecular complexes using mass-resolved photodissociation spectroscopy techniques. The photodissociation spectroscopy of isolated clusters, in concert with translationalenergy spectroscopy of the products, gives unique and detailed insight into the fundamental metal-hydrocarbon interactions. Measurements of the product yield, translational energy release and photofragment anisotropy as a function of the photolysis laser wavelength give quantitative information about the structure, lifetime and bonding of the complex and insight into the nuclear motion dynamics and the electronic non-adiabatic interactions which determine the product branching and energy partitioning.The experimental techniques of photodissociation spectroscopy are reviewed. Several examples are discussed including examples of the photoactivationof H H and C H sigma bonds and of C C pi bonds by Mg . In each case, a strong electronic orbital alignment selectivity is observed. The quenching mechanism can be explained by a bondstretch process leading to rapid but non-adiabatic dissociation of the complex through a conical intersection or narrowly avoided surface crossing with the ground electronic surface. Additional examples of the photoactivation of C O bonds and of photoinduced charge transfer chemistry are also discussed

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