Activation of D2 by Neodymium Cation (Nd+): Bond Energy of NdH+ and Mechanistic Insights through Experimental and Theoretical Studies

The kinetic-energy-dependent cross section for the reaction of Nd+ with D2 was studied by using a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. The formation of NdD+ is endothermic, and analysis of the reaction cross section gave an NdH+ 0 K bond dissociation energy (BDE) of 1.99 ± 0.06 eV. Theoretical calculations for the NdH+ BDE were performed for comparison with the experimental thermochemistry and generally gave accurate results. Additionally, relaxed potential energy surfaces for NdH2 + were performed, and no strongly bound dihydride intermediate was located. The Nd+ + D2 reactivity and BDE of NdH+ are compared with analogous results for the lanthanide cations La+, Ce+, Pr+, Sm+, Gd+, and Lu+ to establish periodic trends and insight into the role of the electronic configurations on this reactivity and the lanthanide hydride cation bond strengths.