Optical spectroscopy and photodissociation dynamics of multiply charged ions

Multiply charged ions are intruiging species whose reactivity and thermodynamic stability depends on the extent of ligation. The possibility of dissociating to two singly charged ions, which is often highly exothermic, leads to spectroscopy and dissociation dynamics that are qualitatively different from their singly charged counterparts. Various methods of producing multiply charged ions are discussed. Spectroscopy of small molecular dications, ligated/solvated transition metal dications, and multiply charged biological ions and metal cluster ions are discussed, with emphasis on our studies of d–d transitions in solvated transition metal dications, and the ensuing dissociation dynamics. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.