Dipole bound and valence state coupling in argon-solvated nitromethane anions

The coupling between the dipole bound and valence electronic states of the nitromethane anion has been investigated via Rydberg electron transfer spectroscopy and field detachment spectroscopy of the bare and argon-solvated anions. The unique aspects of the nitromethane system are highlighted by comparing the solvation behavior of nitromethane anion with that of acetonitrile, a system in which the dipole bound state is well-isolated from the resonance arising from excess electron occupation of its high lying lowest unoccupied molecular orbital.