First spectroscopic observation of gold(i) butadiynylide: Photodetachment velocity map imaging of the AuC(4)H anion

Published online 29 July 2016The velocity map imaging technique was used in the investigation of gold(i) butadiynylide, AuC4H(-), with images recorded at two excitation wavelengths. The resultant photodetachment spectra show a well defined vibrational progression in the neutral with an energy spacing of 343 ± 3 cm(-1). The adiabatic electron affinity was determined to be 1.775 ± 0.005 eV and assigned to the X(1)Σ(+)←X(2)Σ(+) transition between the anionic and neutral ground states. Franck-Condon simulations performed on density functional theory optimized geometries assisted the assignment of linear geometries to the neutral and anion and the observed vibrational progression to that of the Au-C4H stretch.Bradley R. Visser, Matthew A. Addicoat, Jason R. Gascooke, Warren D. Lawrance, and Gregory F. Meth