Nonrelativistic and quasirelativistic ab-initio pseudopotentials representing the Ne-like X(Z−10)+ cores (X=Sc–Zn) of the first row transition metals and optimized (8s7p6d1f )/[6s5p3d1f ]-GTO valence basis sets for use in molecular calculations have been generated. Excitation and ionization energies of the low lying states of Sc through Zn from numerical HF- as well as SCF- and CI(SD)-pseudopotential calculations using the derived basis sets differ by less than 0.1 eV from corresponding all-electron results.

Pseudopotential configuration interaction (CI) calculations using large basis sets have been performed for all homonuclear and heteronuclear alkali dimers XY (X,Y=Li to Cs). Results are given for ground-state spectroscopic constants. The maximum deviations from accurate experimental data are 0.03 Å for Re, 0.02 eV for De, 4 cm−1 for ωe, 0.02 eV for ionization energies, and 0.1 D for dipole moments. Predictions are made for a number of experimentally uncertain or unknown values.

The title compound has been produced by using the radio frequency (RF) method. Barium and carbon were evaporated simultaneously under dynamic flow of helium at different temperatures. About 0.5 mg of pure Ba@C(74) was isolated via a three-step high-pressure liquid chromatography separation. For the first time, the structure of a monometallofullerene has been analyzed by means of single-crystal synchrotron diffraction on microcrystals of Ba@C(74).Co(OEP).2C(6)H(6) (Co(II)(OEP): cobalt(II) octaethylporphyrin) at 100 K. The monometallofullerene exhibits a high degree of localization of the endohedral metal ion, with just two split positions for Ba and two orientations of the C(74)-cage. The barium atom is localized inside the C(74)-cage and displaced off-center, toward the Co(OEP) molecule (d approximately 127 pm). The shortest Ba-C distance is 265 pm. The Co(OEP) molecules form dimers in which the coordination of the cobalt is (4 + 1). Due to the all-syn conformation of the ethyl groups, each Co(OEP) molecule of the dimer coordinates one C(74)-fullerene. The units (Ba@C(74))[Co(OEP)](2)(Ba@C(74)) are arranged in a distorted primitive hexagonal packing. The free space between these complex units is filled by benzene molecules of crystallization. The Ba L(III) XANES spectrum of a thin film sample of Ba@C(74) exhibits a pronounced double maximum structure at about E = 5275 eV. The comparison of the shape resonances of the experimental data with simulated XANES spectra, based on different exo- and endohedral structure models, confirm that the Ba atom is located inside the C(74)-cage (D(3)(h)()) in an off-center position. The Ba atom is shifted by about 130-150 pm from the geometric center of the C(74)-cage. This is in good agreement with quantum chemical results. Thus, despite the disorder still present, a consistent and conclusive structure model for the title compound has been derived by employing a combination of X-ray diffraction, XANES spectroscopy, and quantum chemical calculations.

Spectroscopic constants for the ground states of the first row transition metal monoxides and iron monohydride have been determined from SCF and CI(SD) calculations using energy-adjusted ab initio pseudopotentials representing the Ne-like X(Z−10)+ cores of the transition metals. For iron monoxide and iron monohydride excited states have also been investigated and electron affinities have been determined.