Growth and photodissociation of Cr-x-(coronene)(y) complexes

Gas-phase complexes are produced containing one or more chromium atoms boun d to one or more molecules of the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) cor onene (C24H12) These species are prepared with laser vaporization in a puls ed-nozzle cluster source of a chromium rod coated with a thin film of coron ene. Mass spectroscopy reveals the formation of clusters of the form Cr-x(c oronene)(y)(+) up to sizes with x = 5 and y = 3. Mass-selected laser photod issociation studies investigate the possible structural patterns in these n ovel complexes. Evidence is presented for multiple metal attachment on the same side of the coronene molecule, for metal and multimetal sandwich struc tures, and for multiple decker sandwich structures. Chromium atom insertion into the aromatic system is observed for several cluster sizes. Complexes with at least four chromium atoms fragment by extensive decomposition of th e aromatic ring system.