Photoelectron spectroscopy bond energies

Unlike the stable molecule N2O, the sulfur analogue N2S decomposes above 160 K. In the vapour phase N2S has been detected by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The IR spectrum is dominated by a very strong band at 2040 cm [v(NN)]. The first ionization potential has been determined by photoelectron spectroscopy to be 10.6 eV. " These data indicate that N2S resembles diazomethane, CH2N2, rather than N2O. It decomposes to give N2 and diatomic sulfur, S2, and, hence, elemental sulfur, rather than monoatomic sulfur. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations of bond lengths and bond energies for linear N2S indicate that the resonance structure N =N -S is dominant. 

The low BE region of XPS spectra (<20 — 30 eV) represents delocalized electronic states involved in bonding interactions [7]. Although UV radiation interacts more strongly (greater cross-section because of the similarity of its energy with the ionization threshold) with these states to produce photoelectrons, the valence band spectra measured by ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) can be complicated to interpret [1], Moreover, there has always been the concern that valence band spectra obtained from UPS are not representative of the bulk solid because it is believed that low KE photoelectrons have a short IMFP compared to high KE photoelectrons and are therefore more surface-sensitive [1], Despite their weaker intensities, valence band spectra are often obtained by XPS instead of UPS because they provide... 

Most of what we know about the structure of atoms and molecules has been obtained by studying the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter. Line spectra reveal the existence of shells of different energy where electrons are held in atoms. From the study of molecules by means of infrared spectroscopy we obtain information about vibrational and rotational states of molecules. The types of bonds present, the geometry of the molecule, and even bond lengths may be determined in specific cases. The spectroscopic technique known as photoelectron spectroscopy (PES) has been of enormous importance in determining how electrons are bound in molecules. This technique provides direct information on the energies of molecular orbitals in molecules. 

In the gas phase, ions may be isolated, and properties such as stability, metal-ligand bond energy, or reactivity determined, full structural characterization is not yet possible. There are no complications due to solvent or crystal packing forces and so the intrinsic properties of the ions may be investigated. The effects of solvation may be probed by studying ions such as [M(solvent) ]+. The spectroscopic investigation of ions has been limited to the photoelectron spectroscopy of anions but other methods such as infrared (IR) photodissociation spectroscopy are now available. 

Stipp, S. L., and M. F. Hochella, (1991), "Structure and Bonding Environments at the Calcite Surface as Observed with X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED)", Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 5516, 1723-36. 

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