Long-lived high-spin sextet states of N-2(-)

Motivated by recent mass spectrometric observations of N-2(-), we have exam ined several high-spin sextet states of this fundamental ion. Following a g eneral construction principle for long-lived electronic states of small mol ecules, we have found a long-lived (6)Sigma(u)(+) state of N-2(-) that is s table with respect to direct single electron loss, as well as with respect to dissociation. All possible decay channels are spin forbidden and, theref ore, this (6)Sigma(u)(+) State is long-lived and observable in a mass spect rometer. Comparison is made with CO- and general aspects of long-lived high -spin states of anions are stressed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.