Long-lived high-spin sextet states of N2-

Motivated by recent mass spectrometric observations of N-2(-), we have examined several high-spin sextet states of this fundamental ion. Following a general construction principle for long-lived electronic states of small molecules, we have found a long-lived (6)Sigma(u)(+) state of N-2(-) that is stable with respect to direct single electron loss, as well as with respect to dissociation. All possible decay channels are spin forbidden and, therefore, this (6)Sigma(u)(+) State is long-lived and observable in a mass spectrometer. Comparison is made with CO- and general aspects of long-lived high-spin states of anions are stressed. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V.