This dissertation describes a study of the electronic structure of some selected cyclopentadienyl metal olefin, (mu)-alkylidene, and carbonyl complexes. While most studies of this type are largely theoretical in nature, this work relies on the experimental observations which result from the application of photoelectron spectroscopy to the measurements of the important molecular energies of these compounds. The first part of the discussion is a study of metal-olefin bonding in the CpM(CO)₂L (L = C₂H₄, C₃H₆) compounds. Of particular interest are the observed changes in ionization energies of the olefin (pi) orbital upon coordination. These results also allow a comparison of the coordination of CO and C₂H₄. The valence ionizations of μ-CH₂-[(C₅H₄CH₃)Mn(CO)₂]₂ are also presented. This example of the increasingly important μ-alkylidene complexes provides evidence of a 3C-6e configuration with a net Mn-Mn single bond. The final chapter describes a study of the valence electronic structure of the CpM(CO)₂ (M = Co, Rh; Cp = η⁵-C₅H₅⁻) and η⁵-C₅(CH₃)₅⁻ ) system. This group of four closely related molecules demonstrates how photoelectron spectroscopy can be used to monitor the electronic effects of specific chemical modifications. The intent throughout is to not only present a detailed analysis of the specific compounds chosen for this study, but to also further demonstrate the applicability of photoelectron spectroscopy to a broad spectrum of problems concerning the structural and electronic make-up of organometallic molecules.

The details of the electronic structure and bonding in ferrocenes and early transition metal bent metallocenes are probed by photoelectron spectroscopy. The fundamental electronic interaction of the methyl group substituted for a hydrogen on a metal-coordinated cyclopentadienyl ring is shown by a combined core and valence pe spectroscopic study of a series of methyl-substituted ferrocenes. Shifts of core and valence ionization energies upon methyl substitution are equivalent and additive for the iron atom. Knowledge of the core ionization energy shifts for both carbon and iron allow the relative changes in atomic charges upon methyl substitution to be found. In these molecules, the methyl group is found not to be an inductive electron donor as is commonly assumed. The primary electronic effect of methyl substitution is on the valence orbitals of the cyclopentadienyl ring. Methylation of the cyclopentadienyl rings of ferrocene causes a dramatic redistribution of valence electron density and greatly increases the covalent nature of metal-ring bonding. An understanding of the electronic effect of methylation of metal-coordinated cyclopentadienyl rings is used to establish the relative locations of ring π and Cl ionizations in the pe spectra of group IV and V early transition metal bent metallocene dichlorides with both unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl and pentamethylcyclopentadienyl ligands. The differences in chloride and methyl ligand bonding to an early transition metal center are reflected in the photoelectron data of the dichlorides and related dimethyls. The relative differences in metal-chlorine and metal-carbon bond strengths are also shown in the pe data. The relationship between bond strengths and ionization energies is detailed for early transition metal bent metallocenes of niobium and tantalum with a variety of ligands. The relative bond strength/ionization energy information for metal-hydrogen and metal-carbon bonds is shown to help in understanding the stability of niobocene and tantalocene ethylene-hydride complexes and their resistance to intramolecular olefin insertion. Evidence from the pe data concerning the electron distribution as well as the relative bond strengths in these ethylene-hydride complexes is found supporting the consideration of these complexes more properly as metallacyclopropane-hydrides.

The corrosion chemistry of two active-metal systems has been studied primarily with X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. First, the interaction of metallic lithium thin films with simple glass surfaces was investigated. Li was deposited on SiO₂, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, and B₂O₃ glasses in an ultra-high vacuum deposition and analysis chamber. The reaction of Li with SiO₂ results in substantial reduction of the glass matrix to form a thin product layer. A negatively-charged Si species was identified based on an unusually low XPS Si(2p) binding energy. The interaction of Li with alkali silicate glasses resulted in substantially less matrix breakdown than for SiO₂, but exchange of lithium for either sodium or potassium cations occurred at the Li/glass interface. The reaction between Li and B₂O₃ was limited to the top layers of the glass, as a passivating layer formed at the Li/B₂O₃ interface. Investigations into the oxidation of polycrystalline iron surfaces were initiated. Clean surfaces were exposed to controlled amounts of pure oxygen gas. The resulting oxide composition and thickness was determined using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), and XPS. The results indicated the formation of a bilayer structure, with FeO near the oxide-metal interface, and Fe₃O₄ at the outer surface. Film growth was approximately logarithmic with time, and was strongly pressure dependent. Studies of the electronic properties of the characterized iron oxide surfaces were conducted by measuring the rate of electron transfer between the surface and redox-active species in an electrochemical cell. A strong dependence on film thickness was indicated. Photoemission of electrons from a solid is an inherently complex process; this is especially the case for XPS of clean and oxide-covered active metals. Improved theoretical models of XPS lineshapes were developed which provided new insight into the physical processes involved in photoemission. Additionally, these models provided improved qualitative and quantitative data interpretation through the use of least-squares fitting techniques.

The techniques of valence photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), X-ray diffraction, molecular orbital calculations, and multi-nuclear NMR are combined in a comparison of metal-phosphine bonding in a series of phosphine substituted molybdenum and tungsten metal carbonyl complexes, M(CO)(6-n)(P)(n) [n = 1,2,3,4,6]. The phosphine, P, represents either the mono-dentate phosphine, PMe₃, or one phosphine unit in the diphosphines, Me₂P(CH₂)ₓPMe₂, [x = 1, bis(dimethylphosphino)methane (DMPM); x = 2, 1,2-bis(dimethylphosphino)ethane (DMPE)]. Comparison of PMe₃ and the diphosphines in mono-dentate coordination (i.e. η¹-Mo(CO)₅DMPE) indicates the σ-donor strength is essentially identical for the three phosphines studied. Comparison of PMe₃ and the diphosphines in cis-chelating geometries reveals essentially identical charge at the coordinated phosphorus atoms and nearly identical charge at the metal center for cis-M(CO)₄(PMe₃)₂ and cis-M(CO)₄DMPE despite different local P-M-P bond angles. The X-ray crystal structures reveal a "twist" of the phosphine ligand when in sterically strained coordination geometries. The phosphine twist results in a "bent" metal-phosphine bond and is evaluated based on both electronic and steric considerations. The phosphine twist principle is used in studies on the nature of phosphine ligand electronic effects in the M(CO)(6-n)(P)(n) series at high substitution numbers, n. The PES data of the DMPE complexes for n = 4, cis-Mo(CO)₂(DMPE)₂, and n = 6, Mo(DMPE)₃, show symmetric metal electronic structure, but also a deviation from the previously observed additive behavior of phosphine electronic effects. The PES data for cis-Mo(CO)₂(PMe₃)₄ reveal a symmetric metal electronic structure due to sterically induced ligand-ligand interactions in this metal carbonyl complex. Multi-nuclear NMR data (³¹P and ⁹⁵Mo) are presented and the results discussed in light of the important ligand-ligand interactions observed in the PES studies. In addition, comparison of the NMR results for the mono-dentate and chelating phosphine complexes and the PES metal electronic structures provides a possible contribution to the ring chelate effect that is observed in the ³¹P and ⁹⁵Mo chemical shifts. The ring chelate effect refers to the unexplained relative differences between the ³¹P and ⁹⁵Mo chemical shifts of the cis-(PR₃)₂ complexes and the chelating diphosphine analogues.

<p>Nanoporous dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are promising devices for solar to electric energy conversion. In this thesis photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and photovoltaic measurements are used for studies of the key interfaces in the DSSC. </p><p>Photovoltaic properties of new combinations of TiO₂/dye/hole-conductor heterojunctions were demonstrated and their interfacial structures were studied. Three different types of hole-conductor materials were investigated: Triarylamine derivatives, a conducting polymer and CuI. The difference in photocurrent and photovoltage properties of the heterojunction due to small changes in the hole-conductor material was followed. Also a series of dye molecules were used to measure the influence of the dye on the photovoltaic properties. Differences in both the energy-level matching and the geometric structure of the interfaces in the different heterojunctions were studied by PES. This combination of photovoltaic and PES measurements shows the possibility to link the interfacial electronic and molecular structure to the functional properties of the device. </p><p>Three effective dyes used in the DSSC, Ru(dcbpy)₂(NCS)₂, Ru(tcterpy)(NCS)₃ and an organic dye were studied in detail using PES and XAS and resonant core hole decay spectroscopy. The results gave information of the frontier electronic structure of the dyes and how the dyes are bonded to the TiO₂ surface. </p><p>Finally, the hole-conductor mechanism in a conducting polymer was investigated theoretically using semi-empirical and ab-initio methods. </p>

The photoelectron spectra of a series of ketone compounds have been investigated in the gas phase. Core ionization energies were measured to probe the effects of molecular size and connectivity number on core ionization energies. It was found that core ionization energies roughly decrease with increasing connectivity number as expected. However, subdividing into several categories based on the molecular type gives improved correlations. These results show both the effect of molecular size and that of bringing the polarizable group closer to the core ionized center. In some cases, compounds with the same connectivity number have different core ionization energies and, in others, compounds with different connectivity number have the same core ionization energies. These discrepancies indicate that the simple method for calculating connectivity numbers must be modified to reflect different molecular types. Other discrepancies indicate that this method does not correctly predict the effects of remote hydrogens or the effects of aromatic substituents, where conjugation may influence the relaxation energy. / Graduation date: 1995

Thesis (M.M.S.E.)--University of Delaware, 2006. / Principal faculty advisor: Robert L. Opila, Dept. of Materials Science. Includes bibliographical references.

Nanoporous dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) are promising devices for solar to electric energy conversion. In this thesis photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and photovoltaic measurements are used for studies of the key interfaces in the DSSC. Photovoltaic properties of new combinations of TiO2/dye/hole-conductor heterojunctions were demonstrated and their interfacial structures were studied. Three different types of hole-conductor materials were investigated: Triarylamine derivatives, a conducting polymer and CuI. The difference in photocurrent and photovoltage properties of the heterojunction due to small changes in the hole-conductor material was followed. Also a series of dye molecules were used to measure the influence of the dye on the photovoltaic properties. Differences in both the energy-level matching and the geometric structure of the interfaces in the different heterojunctions were studied by PES. This combination of photovoltaic and PES measurements shows the possibility to link the interfacial electronic and molecular structure to the functional properties of the device. Three effective dyes used in the DSSC, Ru(dcbpy)2(NCS)2, Ru(tcterpy)(NCS)3 and an organic dye were studied in detail using PES and XAS and resonant core hole decay spectroscopy. The results gave information of the frontier electronic structure of the dyes and how the dyes are bonded to the TiO2 surface. Finally, the hole-conductor mechanism in a conducting polymer was investigated theoretically using semi-empirical and ab-initio methods.

Incorporation of nitrogen into ¢»-¢½ materials such as GaAsN and InGaAsN, have recently drawn much attention, due to the unique properties as well as potential device applications of such materials. The purpose of this thesis is to probe microscopic compositions and electronic structures in a series of N-based semiconductor compounds. For the material and electronic structure characterizations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with synchrotron radiation beam was adopted to analyze the sample quality under different growth and post-growth thermal annealing. Through detection of samples of InGaAsN in comparison with a series of samples of GaAsN, InAsN, InN, GaN, InGaAs and GaAs, the experimental result and analysis. Now X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation on ¢»-¢½alloys containing a few percentage of nitrogen demonstrated the success of nitrogen incorporation. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation on InGaAsN films and curve fitting analysis, it can provide evidence of the existence of two principle N configurations, indicating the formation of N-In, N-Ga bonds. Through an estimation of the sample surface composition was made on the basis of the peak area: N-In/N-Ga larger than 3, it can provid direct evidence of the presence of preferential bonding of N to In. The incorporation of atomic nitrogen was added during the annealing. Right through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in annealed InGaAsN film can N-In and N-Ga bonds be observed to be increase, but N-In/N-Ga larger than 2, The bonds of atomic nitrogen is still N-Ga bonds.

The chemistry and bonding of alkynes and vinylidenes in organometallic complexes have been investigated. A variety of these complexes have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography, temperature-dependent NMR, molecular orbital calculations, and most importantly, HeI, HeII and MgKα photoelectron spectroscopy (PES). The core and valence ionizations are found to be very informative with regard to the relative bond strengths and stabilities of these complexes. The first step involved preparation of the series of complexes R-CpM(CO)₂(alkyne) (R-Cp = Cp, MeCp and Me₅Cp). When M = Mn, Re (alkyne = 3-hexyne, 2-butyne and hexafluoro-2-butyne), the molecular mirror plane bisects the alkyne (horizontal conformation). PES shows the alkyne (π(⊥)) orbital forms a filled-filled interaction with the frontier metal orbital which is significantly destabilized. The ionizations derived from the two alkyne π orbitals are not split. When M = V, the alkyne (C₂H₂, 3-hexyne, etc.) coincides with the molecular mirror plane (vertical conformation). PES shows the alkyne π(⊥) orbital donates electrons to the electron deficient vanadium and the metal backbonds strongly to the alkyne. Electronic factors controlling the conformations in the d⁶ manganese case has been much discussed in the literature. Another factor not previously identified is necessary for understanding the conformation in the d⁴ vanadium case. The energy of the LUMO reveals that this factor is donation of cyclopentadienyl electrons into an empty d orbital of the electron deficient vanadium. Rearrangement of alkyne complexes to terminal vinylidene and bridging vinylidene complexes, similar to reactions of organic molecules on metal surfaces, were also investigated. The series of [R-CpMn(CO)₂]₂(μC=CHR') (R' = H, Me) (Chapter 6) and CpMn(CO)₂(C=CHBuᵗ) (Chapter 7) complexes were prepared. PES showed that the terminal vinylidene ligand has less filled-filled interaction with the metal and stabilizes the metal more than the alkyne does. The bridging vinylidene accepts more electron density from the metals and stabilizes the metals more than the terminal vinylidene. The removal of antibonding electrons from the HOMO of the metal fragment by the bridging vinylidene leaves net metal-metal bonding interaction and forms a stable dimetallocyclopropane structure.