Anion photoelectron spectroscopy and CCSD(T) calculations of the Cl−⋯N2 complex

Highlights: • Gas phase anion photoelectron spectrum of the chloride–nitrogen complex is presented. • CCSD(T) calculations determine geometries of both the anion and neutral complexes. • Electron detachment energies agree well between experiment and calculations. • Stability of halide–nitrogen complexes are shown to follow periodic trends. The gas phase anion photoelectron spectrum of the Cl⁻⋯N₂ complex is presented, allowing determination of the electron binding energy, and is compared to CCSD(T) calculations. The calculations reveal three stationary points on the neutral complex surface; a linear $C_{\infty v}$ and two $C_{2v}$ symmetry geometries. For the anion complex, two geometries are predicted, similar to the $C_{2v}$ symmetry conformations determined for the neutral. Comparing both computational and experimental results with those from previous work we show trends between anion complex stability and electron stabilisation energy and also the neutral complex stability with respect to the polarisability of the halogen.