A theoretical study of the positive and dipositive ions of M(NH3)<i>n</i> and M(H2O)<i>n</i> for M=Mg, Ca, or Sr

Abstract

The structure and binding energies are determined for many of the M(H2O)+n and M(H2O)2+n species, for n=1–3 and M=Mg, Ca, or Sr. The trends are explained in terms of metal sp or sdσ hybridization and core polarization. The M(NH3)+n systems, with M=Mg or Sr, are also studied. For the positive ions, the low-lying excited states are also studied and compared with experiment. The calculations suggest an alternative interpretation of the SrNH+3 spectrum.