Photoelectron Imaging of AgOCH₃^- and Ag^-(CH₃OH)_x (x=1, 2)

The AgOCH₃^- and Ag^-(CH₃OH)_x (x=1, 2) anions are studied by photoelectron imaging as well as ab initio calculations. The adiabatic and vertical detachment energies (ADE and VDE) of AgOCH₃^- are determined as 1.29(2) and 1.34(2) eV, respectively, from the vibrational resolved photoelectron spectrum. The Ag^-(CH₃OH)_1,2 anionic complexes are characterized as metal atomic anion solvated by the CH₃OH molecules with the electron mainly localized on the metal. The photoelectron spectra of Ag^-(CH₃OH)_x (x=0, 1, 2) show a gradual increase in VDE with increasing x, due to the solvent stabilization. Evidence for the methanol-methanol hydrogen bonding interactions appears when the Ag^- is solvated by two methanol molecules.