The solvation dynamics of Na+ and K+ ions in liquid methanol

The structure of the solvation shell of Na⁺ and K⁺ in fully deuterated liquid methanol has been studied by ab initio Car-Parrinello molecular dynamics simulations. The solvent cage has been found relatively stable and this property has been explained by means of charge transfer and electrostatic interactions as was previously done for Li⁺ in the same solvent. The differences with Li⁺ such as the increase of the coordination number going from Li⁺ to K⁺ and the reduced stability of the cage have been ascribed to the increase in the ionic radius.