Photodissociation measurements of bond dissociation energies: Ti+2, V+2, Co+2, and Co+3

The bond dissociation energies of Ti+2, V+2, Co+2, and Co+3 have been measured from the sudden onset of predissociation in the photodissociation spectra of these molecules, yielding values of Dcirc0(Ti+2)=2.435±0.002 eV, Dcirc0(V+2)=3.140±0.002 eV, Dcirc0(Co+2)=2.765±0.001 eV, and Dcirc0(Co+3)=2.086±0.002 eV. These values are in good agreement with values previously determined from collision-induced dissociation experiments. General criteria for the interpretation of predissociation thresholds as bond dissociation energies and periodic trends in the bonding of the 3d transition metal diatomic neutrals and monocations are discussed