Cerium Dimer Anion and the Contribution of 4f Electrons to Lanthanide Metal-Metal Bonds.

ABSTRACT: Direct metal-metal bonding between lanthanide atoms has been challenging to observe. We report on the first spectroscopic characterization of the cerium dimer anion (Ce₂^-) and its neutral analog (Ce₂) in the gas phase, achieved using photoelectron and ultrafast spectroscopy combined with high-level quantum chemistry calculations. The electron affinity of Ce₂ is 0.24 eV, from which a dissociation energy of 2.21 eV is derived for Ce₂^-. The wave-packet dynamics upon photodetachment are studied and yield vibrational frequencies for electronically excited Ce₂. Ce₂^- exhibits a conventional metal-metal triple bond with minimal contribution from 4f electrons. However, evidence of 4f-electron particip

SUBMITTER: Jin J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12550857 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature