There exists a large literature on the spectroscopic properties of copper(II) com- 9 pounds. This is due to the simplicity of the d electron configuration, the wide variety of stereochemistries that copper(II) compounds can adopt, and the f- xional geometric behavior that they sometimes exhibit [1]. The electronic and geometric properties of a molecule are inexorably linked and this is especially true with six-coordinate copper(II) compounds which are subject to a Jahn-T- ler effect.However,the spectral-structural correlations that are sometimes d- wn must often be viewed with caution as the information contained in a typical solution UV-Vis absorption spectrum of a copper(II) compound is limited. Meaningful spectral-structural correlations can be obtained in a related series of compounds where detailed spectroscopic data is available. In the fol- 4- lowing sections two such series are examined; the six-coordinate CuF and 6 2+ Cu(H O) ions doped as impurities in single crystal hosts.Using low tempera- 2 6 ture polarized optical spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance, a very detailed picture can be drawn about the geometry of these ions in both their ground and excited electronic states. We then compare the spectrosco- cally determined structural data with that obtained from X-ray diffraction or EXAFS measurements.

The unique properties and applications of transition metal compounds have long fascinated both physicists and chemists. This volume presents theoretical and experimental studies for a deeper understanding of the electronic and vibronic properties of these compounds. In particular, an introduction into properties of spin sublevels of dd*, dA*, and AA* states is given, and a modern ligand field theory based on the Angular Overlap Model is presented. In experimental case studies it is shown how to characterize different types of electronic transitions using modern methods of laser spectroscopy. Consequences of spin-orbit coupling, zero-field splittings, spin-lattice relaxations, chromophore-matrix interactions, Herzberg-Teller/Franck-Condon activities, and localization/delocalization properties are treated.

The unique properties and applications of transition metal compounds have long fascinated both physicists and chemists. This volume presents theoretical and experimental studies for a deeper understanding of the electronic and vibronic properties of these compounds. In particular, an introduction into properties of spin sublevels of dd*, dA*, and AA* states is given, and a modern ligand field theory based on the Angular Overlap Model is presented. In experimental case studies it is shown how to characterize different types of electronic transitions using modern methods of laser spectroscopy. Consequences of spin-orbit coupling, zero-field splittings, spin-lattice relaxations, chromophore-matrix interactions, Herzberg-Teller/Franck-Condon activities, and localization/delocalization properties are treated.

There exists a large literature on the spectroscopic properties of copper(II) com- 9 pounds. This is due to the simplicity of the d electron configuration, the wide variety of stereochemistries that copper(II) compounds can adopt, and the f- xional geometric behavior that they sometimes exhibit [1]. The electronic and geometric properties of a molecule are inexorably linked and this is especially true with six-coordinate copper(II) compounds which are subject to a Jahn-T- ler effect.However,the spectral-structural correlations that are sometimes d- wn must often be viewed with caution as the information contained in a typical solution UV-Vis absorption spectrum of a copper(II) compound is limited. Meaningful spectral-structural correlations can be obtained in a related series of compounds where detailed spectroscopic data is available. In the fol- 4- lowing sections two such series are examined; the six-coordinate CuF and 6 2+ Cu(H O) ions doped as impurities in single crystal hosts.Using low tempera- 2 6 ture polarized optical spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance, a very detailed picture can be drawn about the geometry of these ions in both their ground and excited electronic states. We then compare the spectrosco- cally determined structural data with that obtained from X-ray diffraction or EXAFS measurements.