We explore the potential of double core hole electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis in terms of x-ray two-photon photoelectron spectroscopy. The creation of deep single and double core vacancies induces significant reorganization of valence electrons. The corresponding relaxation energies and the interatomic relaxation energies are evaluated by complete active space self-consistent field ͑CASSCF͒ calculations. We propose a method on how to experimentally extract these quantities by the measurement of single ionization potentials ͑IPs͒ and double core hole ionization potentials ͑DIPs͒. The influence of the chemical environment on these DIPs is also discussed for states with two holes at the same atomic site and states with two holes at two different atomic sites. Electron density difference between the ground and double core hole states clearly shows the relaxations accompanying the double core hole ionization. The effect is also compared to the sensitivity of single core hole IPs arising in single core hole electron spectroscopy. We have demonstrated the method for a representative set of small molecules LiF, BeO, BF, CO, N 2 , C 2 H 2 , C 2 H 4 , C 2 H 6 , CO 2 , and N 2 O. The scalar relativistic effect on IPs and on DIPs are briefly addressed.

Hydrogen-bonded porous organic crystals are promising candidates for functional organic materials due to their easy construction and flexibility arising from reversible bond formation-dissociation. However, it still remains challenging to form porous materials with void spaces that are well-controlled in size, shape, and multiplicity because even well-designed porous frameworks often fail to generate pores within the crystal due to unexpected disruption of hydrogen bonding networks or interpenetration of the frameworks. Herein, we demonstrate that a series of C3-symmetric π-conjugated planar molecules (Tp, T12, T18, and Ex) with three 4,4'-dicarboxy-o-terphenyl moieties in their periphery can form robust hydrogen-bonded hexagonal networks (H-HexNets) with dual or triple pores and that the H-HexNets stack without interpenetration to yield a layered assembly of H-HexNet (LA-H-HexNet) with accessible volumes up to 59%. Specifically, LA-H-HexNets of Tp and T12 exhibit high crystallinity and permanent porosity after desolvation (activation): SABET = 788 and 557 m(2) g(-1), respectively, based on CO2 sorption at 195 K. We believe that the present design principle can be applied to construct a wide range of two-dimensional noncovalent organic frameworks (2D-nCOFs) and create a pathway to the development of a new class of highly porous functional materials.

Theory predicts that double-core-hole (DCH) spectroscopy can provide a new powerful means of differentiating between similar chemical systems with a sensitivity not hitherto possible. Although DCH ionization on a single site in molecules was recently measured with double-and single-photon absorption, double-core holes with single vacancies on two different sites, allowing unambiguous chemical analysis, have remained elusive. Here we report that direct observation of double-core holes with single vacancies on two different sites produced via sequential two-photon absorption, using short, intense X-ray pulses from the Linac Coherent Light Source free-electron laser and compare it with theoretical modeling. The observation of DCH states, which exhibit a unique signature, and agreement with theory proves the feasibility of the method. Our findings exploit the ultrashort pulse duration of the free-electron laser to eject two core electrons on a time scale comparable to that of Auger decay and demonstrate possible future X-ray control of physical inner-shell processes.multi-photon ionization | ultrafast | two-photon spectroscopy

Energies of the hollow molecules CH 2þ 4 and NH 2þ 3 with double vacancies in the 1s shells have been measured using an efficient coincidence technique combined with synchrotron radiation. The energies of these states have been determined accurately by high level electronic structure calculations and can be well understood on the basis of a simple theoretical model. Their major decay pathway, successive Auger emissions, leads first to a new form of triply charged ion with a core hole and two valence vacancies; experimental evidence for such a state is presented with its theoretical interpretation. Preedge 2-hole-1-particle (2h-1p) states at energies below the double core-hole states are located in the same experiments and their decay pathways are also identified.

Elastic organic crystals have attracted considerable attention as next‐generation flexible smart materials. However, the detailed information on both molecular packing change and macroscopic mechanical crystal deformations upon applied stress is still insufficient. Herein, we report that fluorescent single crystals of 9,10‐dibromoanthracene are elastically bendable and stretchable, which allows a detailed investigation of the deformation behavior. We clearly observed a Poisson effect for the crystal, where the short axes (b and c‐axes) of the crystal are contracted upon elongation along the long axis (a‐axis). Moreover, we found that the Poisson's ratios along the b‐axis and c‐axis are largely different. Theoretical molecular simulation suggests that the tilting motion of the anthracene may be responsible for the large deformation along the c‐axis. Spatially resolved photoluminescence (PL) measurement of the bent elastic crystals reveals that the PL spectra at the outer (elongated), central (neutral), and inner (contracted) sides are different from each other.

Low-energy electron collisions with O 2 molecules are studied using the fixed-bond R-matrix method. In addition to the O 2 X 3 Σ − g ground state, integrated cross sections are calculated for elecron collisions with the a 1 ∆ g and b 1 Σ + g excited states of O 2 molecules. 13 target electronic states of O 2 are included in the model within a valence configuration interaction representations of the target states. Elastic cross sections for the a 1 ∆ g and b 1 Σ +

We have observed single photon double K-shell photoionization in the C(2)H(2n) (n=1-3) hydrocarbon sequence and in N(2) and CO, using synchrotron radiation and electron coincidence spectroscopy. Our previous observations of the K(-2) process in these molecules are extended by the observations of a single photon double photoionization with one core hole created at each of the two neighboring atoms in the molecule (K(-1)K(-1) process). In the C(2)H(2n) sequence, the spectroscopy of K(-1)K(-1) states is much more sensitive to the bond length than conventional electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis spectroscopy based on single K-shell ionization. The cross section variation for single photon K(-1)K(-1) double core ionization in the C(2)H(2n) sequence and in the isoelectronic C(2)H(2n), N(2) and CO molecules validates a knock-out mechanism in which a primary ionized 1s photoelectron ejects another 1s electron of the neighbor atom. The specific Auger decay from such states is clearly observed in the CO case.

Cytochrome c oxidase is a redox-driven proton pump that creates a membrane proton gradient responsible for driving ATP synthesis in aerobic cells. The crystal structure of the enzyme has been recently solved; however, the details of the mechanism of its proton pumping remain unknown. The enzyme internal water molecules play a key role in proton translocation through the enzyme. Here, we examine the thermodynamic properties of internal water in a hydrophobic cavity around the catalytic center of the enzyme. The crystal structure does not show any water molecules in this region; it is believed, however, that, since protons are delivered to the catalytic center, where the reduction of molecular oxygen occurs, at least some water molecules must be present there. The goal of the present study was to examine how many water molecules are present in the catalytic center cavity and why these water molecules are not observed in the crystal structure of the enzyme. The behavior of water molecules is discussed in the context of redox-coupled proton translocation in the enzyme.