The spectroscopic signature of the "all-surface" to "internally solvated" structural transition in water clusters in the n = 17-21 size regime

The existence of a transitional size regime where preferential stabilization alternates between "all-surface" (all atoms on the surface of a cluster) and "internally solvated" (one water molecule at the center of the cluster, fully solvated) configurations with the addition or the removal of a single water molecule, predicted earlier with the flexible, polarizable (many-body) Thole-type model interaction potential (TTM2-F), has been confirmed from electronic structure calculations for (H2O)n, n = 17-21. The onset of the appearance of the first "interior" configuration in water clusters occurs for n = 17. The observed structural alternation between interior (n = 17, 19, 21) and all-surface (n = 18, 20) global minima in the n = 17-21 cluster regime is accompanied by a corresponding spectroscopic signature, namely, the undulation in the position of the most redshifted OH stretching vibrations according to the trend: interior configurations exhibit more redshifted OH stretching vibrations than all-surface ones. These most redshifted OH stretching vibrations form distinct groups in the intramolecular region of the spectra and correspond to localized vibrations of donor OH stretches that are connected to neighbors via "strong" (water dimer-like) hydrogen bonds and belong to a water molecule with a "free" OH stretch.     

Mid-infrared characterization of the NH4 +(H2O)n clusters in the neighborhood of the n=20 "magic" number

Vibrational predissociation spectra are reported for size-selected NH4+ (H2O)n clusters (n=5-22) in the 2500-3900 cm(-1) region. We concentrate on the sharp free OH stretching bands to deduce the local H-bonding configurations of water molecules on the cluster surface. As in the spectra of the protonated water clusters, the free OH bands in NH4+ (H2O)n evolve from a quartet at small sizes (n<7), to a doublet around n=9, and then to a single peak at the n=20 magic number cluster, before the doublet re-emerges at larger sizes. This spectral simplification at the magic number cluster mirrors that found earlier in the H+(H2O)n clusters. We characterize the likely structures at play for the n=19 and 20 clusters with electronic structure calculations. The most stable form of the n=20 cluster is predicted to have a surface-solvated NH4+ ion that lies considerably lower in energy than isomers with the NH4+ in the interior.     

Exploring the correlation between network structure and electron binding energy in the (H(2)O)(7)(-) cluster through isomer-photoselected vibrational predissociation spectroscopy and ab initio calculations: addressing complexity beyond types I-III

We report a combined photoelectron and vibrational spectroscopy study of the (H(2)O)(7)(-) cluster anions in order to correlate structural changes with the observed differences in electron binding energies of the various isomers. Photoelectron spectra of the (H(2)O)(7)(-) . Ar(m) clusters are obtained over the range of m=0-10. These spectra reveal the formation of a new isomer (I') for m>5, the electron binding energy of which is about 0.15 eV higher than that of the type I form previously reported to be the highest binding energy species [Coe et al., J. Chem. Phys. 92, 3980 (1990)]. Isomer-selective vibrational predissociation spectra are obtained using both the Ar dependence of the isomer distribution and photochemical depopulation of the more weakly (electron) binding isomers. The likely structures of the isomers at play are identified with the aid of electronic structure calculations, and the electron binding energies, as well as harmonic vibrational spectra, are calculated for 28 low-lying forms for comparison with the experimental results. The HOH bending spectrum of the low binding type II form is dominated by a band that is moderately redshifted relative to the bending origin of the bare water molecule. Calculations trace this feature primarily to the bending vibration localized on a water molecule in which a dangling H atom points toward the electron cloud. Both higher binding forms (I and I') display the characteristic patterns in the bending and OH stretching regions signaling electron attachment primarily to a water molecule in an AA binding site, a persistent motif found in non-isomer-selective spectra of the clusters up to (H(2)O)(50)(-).     

Identification of two distinct electron binding motifs in the anionic water clusters: a vibrational spectroscopic study of the (H2O)6- isomers

Photoelectron spectroscopy of the water cluster anions, (H2O)n-, has revealed that several isomeric forms are present for most sizes, and here, we use vibrational spectroscopy to address the structure of the (H2O)6- isomer that more weakly binds the extra electron. To overcome the severe line broadening that occurs in the OH stretching region of this isomer caused by fast electron autodetachment, we concentrate on the low-energy bending modes of the perdeutero isotopomer. Sharp spectroscopic signatures are recovered for two isomers using argon predissociation spectroscopy, and the resulting bands are heavily overlapped. To extract their independent contributions to the observed spectra, we exploit the substantial dependence of their relative populations on the number of attached argon atoms in the (D2O)6-.Ar(m) clusters, determined by photoelectron spectroscopy. The vibrational spectra of each isomer can then be isolated by spectral subtraction, which is implemented with a covariance mapping approach. The resulting band patterns establish that the more weakly binding isomer does not display the characteristic electron-binding motif common to the more strongly bound isomer class. Whereas the strongly binding isomer features a single water molecule pointing toward the excess electron cloud with both of its hydrogen atoms, the spectrum of the more weakly binding isomer suggests a structure where the electron is bound by a number of dangling OH groups corresponding to water molecules in acceptor-donor binding sites.     

Infrared spectroscopy of water cluster anions, (H2O)n=3-24-)in the HOH bending region: persistence of the double H-bond acceptor (AA) water molecule in the excess electron binding site of the class I isomers

We report vibrational predissociation spectra of water cluster anions, (H(2)O)(n=)()(3)(-)(24)(-) in the HOH bending region to explore whether the characteristic red-shifted feature associated with electron binding onto a double H-bond acceptor (AA) water molecule survives into the intermediate cluster size regime. The spectra of the "tagged" (H(2)O)(n)()(-).Ar clusters indeed exhibit the signature AA band, but assignment of this motif to a particular isomer is complicated by the fact that argon attachment produces significant population of three isomeric forms (as evidenced by their photoelectron spectra). We therefore also investigated the bare clusters since they can be prepared exclusively in the high binding (isomer class I) form. Because the energy required to dissociate a water molecule from the bare complexes is much larger than the transition energies in the bending region, the resulting (linear) action spectroscopy selectively explores the properties of clusters with most internal energy content. The (H(2)O)(15)(-) predissociation spectrum obtained under these conditions displays a more intense AA feature than was found in the spectra of the Ar tagged species. This observation implies that not only is the AA motif present in the class I isomer, but also that it persists when the clusters contain considerable internal energy.     

Charge penetration and the origin of large O-H vibrational red-shifts in hydrated-electron clusters, (H2O)n-

The origin of O-H vibrational red-shifts observed experimentally in (H2O)n(-) clusters is analyzed using electronic structure calculations, including natural bond orbital analysis. The red-shifts are shown to arise from significant charge transfer and strong donor-acceptor stabilization between the unpaired electron and O-H sigma* orbitals on a nearby water molecule in a double hydrogen-bond-acceptor ("AA") configuration. The extent of e(-) --> sigma* charge transfer is comparable to the n --> sigma* charge transfer in the most strongly hydrogen-bonded X(-)(H2O) complexes (e.g., X = F, O, OH), even though the latter systems exhibit much larger vibrational red-shifts. In X(-)(H2O), the proton affinity of X(-) induces a low-energy XH...(-)OH diabatic state that becomes accessible in v = 1 of the shared-proton stretch, leading to substantial anharmonicity in this mode. In contrast, the H + (-)OH(H2O)(n-1) diabat of (H2O)n(-) is not energetically accessible; thus, the O-H stretching modes of the AA water are reasonably harmonic, and their red-shifts are less dramatic. Only a small amount of charge penetrates beyond the AA water molecule, even upon vibrational excitation of these AA modes. Implications for modeling of the aqueous electron are discussed.     

Microhydration shell structure in Cl2*-.nH2O clusters: A theoretical study

We present the results of a detailed study on structure and electronic properties of hydrated cluster Cl2*-.nH2O (n = 1-7) based on a nonlocal density functional, namely, Becke's [J. Chem. Phys. 98, 1372 (1993)] half and half hybrid exchange-correlation functional with a split valence 6-311++G(d,p) basis function. Geometry optimizations for all the clusters are carried out with various possible initial guess structures without any symmetry restriction. Several minimum energy structures (conformers) are predicted with a small difference in total energy. There is a competition between the binding of solvent H2O units with Cl2*- dimer radical anion directly through ion-molecule interaction and forming interwater hydrogen-bonding network in Cl2*-.nH2O (n > or = 2) hydrated cluster. Structure having interwater H-bonded network is more stable over the structure where H2O units are connected to the solute dimer radical anion Cl2*- rather independently either by single or double H bonding in a particular size (n) of hydrated cluster Cl2*-.nH2O. At the maximum four solvent H2O units reside in interwater H-bonding network present in these hydrated clusters. It is observed that up to six H2O units are independently linked to the anion having four double H bondings and two single H bondings suggesting the primary hydration number of Cl2*- to be 6. In all these clusters, the odd electron is found to be mostly localized over the two Cl atoms and these two atoms are bound by a three-electron hemibond. Calculated interaction (between solute and different water clusters) and vertical detachment energy profiles show saturation at n = 6 in the hydrated cluster Cl2*-.nH2O (n = 1-7). However, calculated solvation energy increases with the increase in number of solvent H2O molecules in the cluster. Interaction energy varies linearly with vertical detachment energy for the hydrated clusters Cl2*-.nH2O (n < or = 6). Calculation of the vibration frequencies show that the formation of Cl2*(-)-water clusters induces significant shifts from the normal stretching modes of isolated water. A clear difference in the pattern of IR spectra is observed in the O-H stretching region of water from hexa- to heptahydrated cluster.     

Comprehensive analysis of the hydrogen bond network morphology and OH stretching vibrations in protonated methanol-water mixed clusters, H(+)(MeOH)1(H2O)n (n = 1-8)

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations of protonated methanol-water mixed clusters, H (+)(MeOH) 1(H 2O) n ( n = 1-8), were extensively carried out to analyze the hydrogen bond structures of the clusters. Various structural isomers were energy optimized, and their relative energies with zero point energy corrections and temperature dependence of the free energies were examined. Coexistence of different morphological isomers was suggested. Infrared spectra were simulated on the basis of the optimized structures. The infrared spectra were also experimentally measured for n = 3-9 in the OH stretching vibrational region. The observed broad bands in the hydrogen-bonded OH stretch region were assigned in comparison with the simulations. From the DFT calculations, the preferential proton location was also investigated. Clear correlations between the excess proton location and the cluster morphology were found.     

Infrared spectroscopy of small sodium-doped water clusters: interaction with the solvated electron

The measured vibrational OH-stretch spectra of size-selected Na(H2O)n clusters for n=8, 10, 16, and 20 are compared with first-principle calculations, which account for the interaction of the sodium cation, the electron, and the water molecules with the hydrogen-bonded network. The calculated harmonic frequencies are corrected by comparing similar results obtained for pure water clusters with experiment. The experimental spectra are dominated by intensity peaks between 3350 and 3550 cm(-1), which result from the interaction of the H atoms with the delocalized electron cloud. The calculations, which are all based upon the average spectra of the four lowest-energy isomers, indicate that most of the peaks at the lower end of this range (3217 cm(-1) for n=8) originate from the interaction of one H atom with the electron distribution in a configuration with a single hydrogen-bonding acceptor. Those at the upper end (3563 cm(-1) for n=8) come from similar interactions with two acceptors. The doublets, which arise from the interaction of both H atoms with the electron, appear in the red-shifted part of the spectrum. They are with 3369/3443 cm(-1) quite pronounced for n=8 but slowly vanish for the larger clusters where they mix with the other spectral interactions of the hydrogen-bonded network, namely, the fingerprints of the free, the double, and the single donor OH positions known from pure water cluster spectroscopy. For all investigated sizes, the electron is sitting at the surface of the clusters.     

Clusters of hydrated methane sulfonic acid CH3SO3H.(H2O)n (n = 1-5): a theoretical study

Ab initio and density functional methods have been used to examine the structures and energetics of the hydrated clusters of methane sulfonic acid (MSA), CH3SO3H.(H2O)n (n = 1-5). For small clusters with one or two water molecules, the most stable clusters have strong cyclic hydrogen bonds between the proton of OH group in MSA and the water molecules. With three or more water molecules, the proton transfer from MSA to water becomes possible, forming ion-pair structures between CH3SO3- and H3O+ moieties. For MSA.(H2O)3, the energy difference between the most stable ion pair and neutral structures are less than 1 kJ/mol, thus coexistence of neutral and ion-pair isomers are expected. For larger clusters with four and five water molecules, the ion-pair isomers are more stable (>10 kJ/mol) than the neutral ones; thus, proton transfer takes place. The ion-pair clusters can have direct hydrogen bond between CH3SO3- and H3O+ or indirect one through water molecule. For MSA.(H2O)5, the energy difference between ion pairs with direct and indirect hydrogen bonds are less than 1 kJ/mol; namely, the charge separation and acid ionization is energetically possible. The calculated IR spectra of stable isomers of MSA.(H2O)n clusters clearly demonstrate the significant red shift of OH stretching of MSA and hydrogen-bonded OH stretching of water molecules as the size of cluster increases.     

Spectral signatures of four-coordinated sites in water clusters: infrared spectroscopy of phenol-(H2O)n (∼20 ≤ n ≤ ∼50)

We report infrared spectra of phenol-(H(2)O)(n) (～20 ≤ n ≤ ～50) in the OH stretching vibrational region. Phenol-(H(2)O)(n) forms essentially the same hydrogen bond (H-bond) network as that of the neat water cluster, (H(2)O)(n+1). The phenyl group enables us to apply the scheme of infrared-ultraviolet double resonance spectroscopy combined with mass spectrometry, achieving the moderate size selectivity (0 ≤ Δn ≤ ～6). The observed spectra show clear decrease of the free OH stretch band intensity relative to that of the H-bonded OH band with increasing cluster size n. This indicates increase of the relative weight of four-coordinated water sites, which have no free OH. Corresponding to the suppression of the free OH band, the absorption peak of the H-bonded OH stretch band rises at ～3350 cm(-1). This spectral change is interpreted in terms of a signature of four-coordinated water sites in the clusters.     

Vibrational spectroscopy of hydrated electron clusters (H2O)(-)(15-50) via infrared multiple photon dissociation

Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectra for size-selected water cluster anions (H2O)(n)(-), n=15-50, are presented covering the frequency range of 560-1820 cm(-1). The cluster ions are trapped and cooled by collisions with ambient He gas at 20 K, with the goal of defining the cluster temperature better than in previous investigations of these species. Signal is seen in two frequency regions centered around 700 and 1500-1650 cm(-1), corresponding to water librational and bending motions, respectively. The bending feature associated with a double-acceptor water molecule binding to the excess electron is clearly seen up to n=35, but above n=25; this feature begins to blueshift and broadens, suggesting a more delocalized electron binding motif for the larger clusters in which the excess electron interacts with multiple water molecules.     

The structures and electronic states of zinc-water clusters Zn(n)(H2O)(m) (n = 1-32 and m = 1-3)

Ab initio and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out for zinc-water clusters Zn(n)-(H2O)(m) (n = 1-32 and m = 1-3, where n and m are the numbers of zinc atoms and water molecules, respectively) to elucidate the structure and electronic states of the clusters and the interaction of zinc cluster with water molecules. The binding energies of H2O to zinc clusters were small at n = 2-3 (2.3-4.2 kcal mol(-1)), whereas the energy increased significantly in n = 4 (9.0 kcal mol(-1)). Also, the binding nature of H2O was changed at n = 4. The cluster size dependency of the binding energy of H2O accorded well with that of the natural population of electrons in the 4p orbital of the zinc atom. In the larger clusters (n > 20), it was found that the zinc atoms in surface regions of the zinc cluster have a positive charge, whereas those in the interior region have a negative charge with the large electron population in the 4p orbital. The interaction of H2O with the zinc clusters were discussed on the basis of the theoretical results.     

Solvation dynamics in Ni+ (H2O)n clusters probed with infrared spectroscopy

Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy is reported for mass-selected Ni+ (H2O)n complexes in the O-H stretching region up to cluster sizes of n = 25. These clusters fragment by the loss of one or more intact water molecules, and their excitation spectra show distinct bands in the region of the symmetric and asymmetric stretches of water. The first evidence for hydrogen bonding, indicated by a broad band strongly red-shifted from the free OH region, appears at the cluster size of n = 4. At larger cluster sizes, additional red-shifted structure evolves over a broader wavelength range in the hydrogen-bonding region. In the free OH region, the symmetric stretch gradually diminishes in intensity, while the asymmetric stretch develops into a closely spaced doublet near 3700 cm(-1). The data indicate that essentially all of the water molecules are in a hydrogen-bonded network by the size of n = 10. However, there is no evidence for the formation of clathrate structures seen recently via IR spectroscopy of protonated water clusters.     

Infrared spectra of the water-nitrogen complexes (H2O)2-(N2)n(n = 1-4) in argon matrices

The infrared spectra of the water-nitrogen complexes trapped in argon matrices have been studied with Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. The absorption lines of the H20-N2 1:1, 1:2, 1:n, and 2:1 complexes have been confirmed on the basis of the concentration effects. In addition, we have observed a few lines and propose the assignments for the 2:2, 2:3, and 2:4 complexes in the nu1 symmetric stretching and nu2 bending regions of the proton-acceptor molecule, and in the bonded OH stretching region of the proton-donor molecule. The redshifts in the bonded OH stretching mode and blueshifts in the OH bending mode suggest that the hydrogen bonds in the (H2O)2-(N2)n complexes with n = 1-4 are strengthened by the cooperative effects compared to the pure H2O dimer. Two absorption bands due to the 3:n complexes are also observed near the bonded OH stretching region of the H2O trimer.     

Theoretical studies on photoelectron and IR spectral properties of Br2.-(H2O)n clusters

We report vertical detachment energy (VDE) and IR spectra of Br2.-.(H2O)n clusters (n=1-8) based on first principles electronic structure calculations. Cluster structures and IR spectra are calculated at Becke's half-and-half hybrid exchange-correlation functional (BHHLYP) with a triple split valence basis function, 6-311++G(d,p). VDE for the hydrated clusters is calculated based on second order Moller-Plesset perturbation (MP2) theory with the same set of basis function. On full geometry optimization, it is observed that conformers having interwater hydrogen bonding among solvent water molecules are more stable than the structures having double or single hydrogen bonded structures between the anionic solute, Br2.-, and solvent water molecules. Moreover, a conformer having cyclic interwater hydrogen bonded network is predicted to be more stable for each size hydrated cluster. It is also noticed that up to four solvent H2O units can reside around the solute in a cyclic interwater hydrogen bonded network. The excess electron in these hydrated clusters is localized over the solute atoms. Weighted average VDE is calculated for each size (n) cluster based on statistical population of the conformers at 150 K. A linear relationship is obtained for VDE versus (n+3)(-1/3) and bulk VDE of Br2.- aqueous solution is calculated as 10.01 eV at MP2 level of theory. BHHLYP density functional is seen to make a systematic overestimation in VDE values by approximately 0.5 eV compared to MP2 data in all the hydrated clusters. It is observed that hydration increases VDE of bromine dimer anion system by approximately 6.4 eV. Calculated IR spectra show that the formation of Br2.--water clusters induces large shifts from the normal O-H stretching bands of isolated water keeping bending modes rather insensitive. Hydrated clusters, Br2.-.(H2O)n, show characteristic sharp features of O-H stretching bands of water in the small size clusters.     

A comparative ab initio study of Br2*- and Br2 water clusters

The work presents ab initio results on structure and electronic properties of Br2*-.nH2O(n=1-10) and Br2.nH2O(n=1-8) hydrated clusters to study the effects of an excess electron on the microhydration of the halide dimer. A nonlocal density functional, namely, Becke's half-and-half hybrid exchange-correlation functional is found to perform well on the present systems with a split valence 6-31++G(d,p) basis function. Geometry optimizations for all the clusters are carried out with several initial guess structures and without imposing any symmetry restriction. Br2*-.nH2O clusters prefer to have symmetrical double hydrogen-bonding structures. Results on Br2.nH2O(n>or=2) cluster show that the O atom of one H2O is oriented towards one Br atom and the H atom of another H2O is directed to other Br atom making Br2 to exist as Br+-Br- entity in the cluster. The binding and solvation energies are calculated for the Br2*-.nH2O and Br2.nH2O clusters. Calculations of the vibrational frequencies show that the formation of Br2*- and Br2 water clusters induces significant shifts from the normal modes of isolated water. Excited-state calculations are carried out on Br2*-.nH2O clusters following configuration interaction with single electron excitation procedure and UV-VIS absorption profiles are simulated. There is an excellent agreement between the present theoretical UV-VIS spectra of Br2*-.10H2O cluster and the reported transient optical spectra for Br2*- in aqueous solution.     

Compatibility between methanol and water in the three-dimensional cage formation of large-sized protonated methanol-water mixed clusters

Infrared spectra of large-sized protonated methanol-water mixed clusters, H(+)(MeOH)(m)(H(2)O)(n) (m=1-4, n=4-22), were measured in the OH stretch region. The free OH stretch bands of the water moiety converged to a single peak due to the three-coordinated sites at the sizes of m+n=21, which is the magic number of the protonated water cluster. This is a spectroscopic signature for the formation of the three-dimensional cage structure in the mixed cluster, and it demonstrates the compatibility of a small number of methanol molecules with water in the hydrogen-bonded cage formation. Density functional theory calculations were carried out to examine the relative stability and structures of selected isomers of the mixed clusters. The calculation results supported the microscopic compatibility of methanol and water in the hydrogen-bonded cage development. The authors also found that in the magic number clusters, the surface protonated sites are energetically favored over their internal counterparts and the excess proton prefers to take the form of H(3)O(+) despite the fact that the proton affinity of methanol is greater than that of water.     

Site-specific addition of D(2)O to the (H(2)O)(6)(-) "hydrated electron" cluster: isomer interconversion and substitution at the double H-bond acceptor (AA) electron-binding site

We report the results of an experimental study designed to establish whether, once formed, one of the isomer classes of the hydrated electron clusters, (H(2)O)(n)(-), can interconvert with others when a water molecule is added by condensation. This is accomplished in an Ar-cluster mediated approach where a single intact D(2)O molecule is collisionally incorporated into argon-solvated water hexamer anions, creating the isotopically labeled D(2)O.(H(2)O)(6)(-).Ar(n) heptamer anion. Photoelectron and infrared predissociation spectroscopies are employed both to characterize the isomers generated in the condensation event and to track the position that the D(2)O label adopts within these isomeric structures. Despite the fact that the water hexamer anion precursor clusters initially exist in the isomer I form, incorporation of D(2)O produces mostly isomers I' and II in the labeled heptamer, which bind the electron more (I') or less (II) strongly than does the isomer I class. Isomers I and I' are known to feature electron binding primarily onto a single water molecule that resides in an AA (A = H-bond acceptor) site in the network. Surprisingly, the D(2)O molecule can displace this special electron-binding H(2)O molecule such that the anionic cluster retains the high binding arrangement. In the more weakly binding isomer II clusters, the D(2)O molecule fractionates preferentially to sites that give rise to the vibrational signature of isomer II.     

A first principles molecular dynamics study of excess electron and lithium atom solvation in water-ammonia mixed clusters: structural, spectral, and dynamical behaviors of [(H2O)5NH3]- and Li(H2O)5NH3 at finite temperature

First principles molecular dynamics simulations are carried out to investigate the solvation of an excess electron and a lithium atom in mixed water-ammonia cluster (H(2)O)(5)NH(3) at a finite temperature of 150 K. Both [(H(2)O)(5)NH(3)](-) and Li(H(2)O)(5)NH(3) clusters are seen to display substantial hydrogen bond dynamics due to thermal motion leading to many different isomeric structures. Also, the structures of these two clusters are found to be very different from each other and also very different from the corresponding neutral cluster without any excess electron or the metal atom. Spontaneous ionization of Li atom occurs in the case of Li(H(2)O)(5)NH(3). The spatial distribution of the singly occupied molecular orbital shows where and how the excess (or free) electron is primarily localized in these clusters. The populations of single acceptor (A), double acceptor (AA), and free (NIL) type water and ammonia molecules are found to be significantly high. The dangling hydrogens of these type of water or ammonia molecules are found to primarily capture the free electron. It is also found that the free electron binding motifs evolve with time due to thermal fluctuations and the vertical detachment energy of [(H(2)O)(5)NH(3)](-) and vertical ionization energy of Li(H(2)O)(5)NH(3) also change with time along the simulation trajectories. Assignments of the observed peaks in the vibrational power spectra are done and we found a one to one correlation between the time-averaged populations of water and ammonia molecules at different H-bonding sites with the various peaks of power spectra. The frequency-time correlation functions of OH stretch vibrational frequencies of these clusters are also calculated and their decay profiles are analyzed in terms of the dynamics of hydrogen bonded and dangling OH modes. It is found that the hydrogen bond lifetimes in these clusters are almost five to six times longer than that of pure liquid water at room temperature.