Dual-Role of Polyelectrolyte-Tethered Benzimidazolium Cation in Promoting CO2/Pure Water Co-Electrolysis to Ethylene

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR), as a promising route to realize negative carbon emissions, is known to be strongly affected by electrolyte cations (i.e., cation effect). In contrast to the widely-studied alkali cations in liquid electrolytes, the effect of organic cations grafted on alkaline polyelectrolytes (APE) remains unexplored, although APE has already become an essential component of CO₂ electrolyzers. Herein, by studying the organic cation effect on CO₂RR, we find that benzimidazolium cation (Beim⁺) significantly outperforms other commonly-used nitrogenous cations (R₄N⁺) in promoting C₂₊ (mainly C₂H₄) production over copper electrode. Cyclic voltammetry and in situ spectroscopy studies reveal that the Beim⁺ can synergistically boost the CO₂ to *CO conversion and reduce the proton supply at the electrocatalytic interface, thus facilitating the *CO dimerization toward C₂₊ formation. By utilizing the homemade APE ionomer, we further realize efficient C₂H₄ production at an industrial-scale current density of 331 mA cm⁻² from CO₂/pure water co-electrolysis, thanks to the dual-role of Beim⁺ in synergistic catalysis and ionic conduction. This study provides a new avenue to boost CO₂RR through the structural design of polyelectrolytes.     

Synthesis of pyridine N-imine complexes of methylcobaloxime and reactions of bis(dimethylglyoximato)methyl(Pyridine N-imine)cobalt with acid anyhydrides and acetylenedicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester

Pyridine N-imine complexes of methylcobaloxime, CH₃Co(Hdmg)₂(R¹— C₅H_nN⁺N^?H) (n = 4; R¹ = H, 2-CH₃, 3-CH₃, 4-CH₃: n = 3; R¹ = 2,6-CH₃), have been synthesized by the reaction of CH₃Co(Hdmg)₂S(CH₃)₂ with a pyridine N-imine which is generated from a pyridine, hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid and K₂CO₃. The reactions of CH₃Co(Hdmg)₂(C₅H₅N⁺N^?H) with acid anhydrides form new methylcobaloxime complexes with N-substituted pyridine N-imines, CH₃Co(Hdmg)₂(C₅H₅N⁺N^?R²) R² = COPh, COMe, COEt). With maleic anhydride, (pyridine N-acryloylimine)carboxylic acid is formed. With acetylenedicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester, 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of the ligand gives pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester.     

Post‐Synthetic Modification of Zr‐Metal–Organic Frameworks through Cycloaddition Reactions

Cycloaddition reactions are highly attractive for post‐synthetic modification of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). We report herein on cycloaddition reactions with PIZOF(R¹,R²)s, which are porous interpenetrated Zr‐based MOFs with Zr₆O₄(OH)₄(CO₂)₁₂ as the nodes and the dicarboxylates ^?O₂C[PE‐P(R¹,R²)‐EP]CO₂^? (P: phenylene, E: ethynylene; R¹, R²: side chains at the central phenylene unit) as the linkers. 1,3‐Dipolar cycloaddition between the pendant ethyne moieties of PIZOF(OMe,OCH₂C?CH) and 4‐methylbenzyl azide resulted in 98 % conversion of the ethyne groups. Reactions of PIZOF(OMe,O(CH₂)₃furan) with maleimide, N‐methylmaleimide, and N‐phenylmaleimide converted 98, 99, and 89 % of the furan moieties into the Diels–Alder adducts. However, no reaction occurred with maleic anhydride. High‐resolution ¹H NMR spectra were crucial in determining the conversion and identifying the reaction products. Of all the reagents (NaOD/D₂O, D₂SO₄, Bu₄NF, CsF, CsF/DCl, and KHF₂) tested for the disassembly of the PIZOFs in [D₆]DMSO, the combination of CsF and DCl was found to be the best. The disassembly at room temperature was fast (5–15 min), and after the addition of K₂CO₃ the ¹H NMR data were identical to those of the diacids (=protonated linkers) dissolved in pure DMSO. This allowed for simple structure elucidation through data comparison. CsF/DCl dissolves not only PIZOFs but also the hydrolytically very stable UiO‐66.     

Effect of protonation exothermicity on the reaction of gaseous Brønsted acids with halobenzene derivatives

The protonation of haloaromatics by [N₂H]⁺ and [CO₂H]⁺ has been studied by chemical ionization mass spectrometry. In general, the fragmentation reactions following protonation by [CO₂H]⁺ are similar to those observed following protonation by [CH₅]⁺, while the fragmentation reactions induced by protonation by [N₂H]⁺ are intermediate between those observed on reaction with [CH₅]⁺ and with [H₃]⁺. These results are consistent with the conclusion that the fragmentation mode is determined by the protonation exothermicity since the proton affinity of CO₂ is the same as that of CH₄ while the proton affinity of N₂ is intermediate between that of CH₄ and H₂.     

Ab initio study of N2O+. Angular dependence of the 14A″(4Π) potential

The 1⁴A″(⁴Π) state of N₂O⁺ is found to be the most stable at bent conformations of the nuclei. Ab initio SCF, MC SCF, and MC SCF CI calculations with a double-zeta basis and typical bond-length values for R_NN and R_NO all yield minimum energy angles near 126°. The energy lowering is such that the total energy of N₂O⁺ (1⁴A″, 126°) is very near that of the lowest O, N₂ asymptote, ⁴S, X ¹Σ_g⁺. These results are shown to imply that the ionospheric reaction O⁺ + N₂ → NO⁺ + N, the rate-determining step in the electron removal reaction network, is adiabatic on the potential surface of the 1⁴A″ state.     

Composition,structure, and ir spectra of acid trialkylmethylammonium acetates in CCl4+HAc solutions

The composition and structure of neutral and acid trialkyl(C₈-C₁₀)methylammonium acetates in CCl₄+HAc solutions formed by the reaction R₃CH₃N⁺Ac⁻+nHAc⇔R₃CH₃N⁺(Ac·nAc)⁻ are investigated by IR spectroscopy. As the molar ratio HAc/R₃CH₃N⁺Ac⁻ increases in solutions, complex anions Ac·nAc⁻ (I) with n=1, 2, 3, 4 are formed in sequence. The curves of formation of anions with n=0, 1, 2 are plotted. One terminal COO group of anions I is bonded to (“blocked” by) the R₃CH₃N⁺ cation, and another group sequentially adds H-bonded HAc molecules as the concentration of HAc in solutions increases. The sequence of IR spectral changes in the series of anions I with n=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 is discussed. Institute of Catalysis, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences. Novosibirsk State University. Translated fromZhurnal Strukturnoi Khimii, Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 310–318, March–April, 1996. Translated by L. Smolina     

Reactions of (CO2)2+ and (CO)2+ association ions

The reactons of (CO₂)₂⁺ and (CO)₂⁺ with various additives have been investigated using the NBS high-pressure photoionization mass spectrometer at total pressures of 0.4–1.0 torr of either CO₂ or CO. The additives include CH₄, CD₄, C₂H₂, O₂, H₂O, ^15,14N₂O, and CO in both CO₂ and ¹³CO₂. Second- and third-order rate coefficients based on an ambipolar diffusion model are reported for 25 separate reaction pairs at 295°K, as well as sequential cationic reaction mechanisms. An approximate value of 225 ± 3 kcal/mol (941 ± 13 kJ/mol) was derived for ΔH_f (CO)₂⁺ based on the kinetics observed in various CO-additive mixtures. Some projections regarding the utility of the data under other conditions are also included.     

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of NO and CO catalyzed by Rh atom

The gas-phase reaction mechanism of NO and CO catalyzed by Rh atom has been systematically investigated on the ground and first excited states at CCSD(T)//B3LYP/6-311+G(2d), SDD level. This reaction is mainly divided into two reaction stages, NO deoxygenation to generate N₂O and then the deoxygenation of N₂O with CO to form N₂ and CO₂. The crucial reaction step deals with the NO deoxygenation to generate N₂O catalyzed by Rh atom, in which the self-deoxygenation of NO reaction pathway is kinetically more preferable than that in the presence of CO. The minimal energy reaction pathway includes the rate-determining step about N–N bond formation. Once the NO deoxygenation with CO catalyzed by rhodium atom takes place, the reaction results in the intermediate RhN. Then, the reaction of RhN with CO is kinetically more favorable than that with NO, while both of them are thermodynamically preferable. These results can qualitatively explain the experimental finding of N₂O, NCO, and CN species in the NO + CO reaction. For the N₂O deoxygenation with CO catalyzed by rhodium atom, the reaction goes facilely forward, which involves the rate-determining step concerning CO₂ formation. CO plays a dominating role in the RhO reduction to regenerate Rh atom. The complexes, OCRhNO, RhON₂, RhNNO, ORhN₂, RhCO₂, RhNCO, and ORhCN, are thermodynamically preferred. Rh atom possesses stronger capability for the N₂O deoxygenation than Rh⁺ cation.     

Investigation of azoles and azines. 76. Mass spectra of 5- and 6-substituted uracils

Peaks of molecular ions that generally have the maximum intensity are observed in the mass spectra of most of the investigated 5- and 6-substituted uracils and 5-substituted orotic acids and their deutero analogs and methylated derivatives. The principal pathway of the fragmentation of the molecular ions is retrodiene fragmentation with the formation of [O=C₍₄₎C₍₅₎R⁵C₍₆₎R₍₆₎N₍₁₎R¹]⁺ (F₁) ions. The stabilities of the latter depend on the nature and position of the substituents attached to the C₍₅₎ and C₍₆₎ atoms. The fragmentation of the F₁ ions can be realized via four principal pathways (B-E) with the detachment of N-CR⁶ (B), O=C=CR⁵ (C), CO (D), and R⁶ (E) fragments. The most general pathway for the fragmentation of 5-substituted uracils is pathway C, whereas the most general pathway for 6-substituted uracils is pathway E. In the spectra of 5-substituted orotic acids the intensities of the molecular-ion peaks are high (100%) only in the case of electron-donor R⁵ and decrease sharply with an increase in the electron-acceptor strength of the substituent. The principal pathways of fragmentation of the molecular ions are decarboxylation (F) and retrodiene fragmentation (A), the contribution of which is appreciably smaller. The M-CO₂ ions formed after decarboxylation undergo fragmentation via a scheme similar to that observed for 5-substituted uracils.See [1] for Communication 75.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 520–531, April, 1990.     

On the synthesis of the N2F+5 cation. A critical comment on the paper by Toy and Stringham.

Toy and Stringham recently reported [1] the synthesis of N₂F⁺₅ (CF₃)₃CO^-, a salt containing the novel pentafluorohydrazinium cation. This cation would be of significant academic and practical interest [2] since it would constitute the first known example of a substituted NF⁺₄ cation, i.e. an NF⁺₄ cation in which a fluorine ligand is replaced by an NF₂ group. According to the authors of [1], N₂F⁺₅(CF₃)₃CO^- was formed in a very unusual reaction involving the transfer of a fluorine cation from (CF₃)₃COF to N₂F₄ according to:

     

Tungsten oxide bronzes with alkali metals

Single-phase samples of tungsten bronzes M _x WO₃ (M = K⁺, Rb⁺, Cs⁺) are prepared by solid-state synthesis. The reversibility of the M_0.33WO₃/M⁺-solid electrolyte interface is studied subject to the alkali metal nature and humidity over a wide temperature interval. The exchange current density at 24°C and 58%-relative humidity is 3.6 × 10^?4 A/cm² for the Rb_0.33WO₃/Rb⁺-solid electrolyte interface; 2.2 × 10^?4 A/cm² for the Cs_0.33WO₃/Cs⁺-solid electrolyte interface; and 1.3 × 10^?4 A/cm² for the K_0.33WO₃/K⁺-solid electrolyte interface. A correlation between the reversibility of the bronze|solid electrolyte interface, which is characterized by the exchange current density, and the rate of potential equilibration in sensor systems, where the bronze is a reference electrode, is revealed. Ionic component of the conductivity of the synthesized tungsten oxide bronzes is measured at a background of the predominant electronic conductivity. The ionic conductivity is three orders of magnitude lower than the electronic conductivity; it decreases in the series Rb_0.33WO₃ > Cs_0.33WO₃ > K_0.33WO₃, amounting to 2.3 × 10^?2, 2.1 × 10^?3, and 2 × 10^?4 S cm^?1, respectively. The working capacity of the M_0.3WO₃ bronzes as reference electrodes in sensor systems for carbon dioxide detection is evaluated. The plots of the cell potential vs. the CO₂ concentration in the electrochemical cells are linear, their slopes (59 ± 1 mV/decade) are characteristic for one-electron process. The fastest response to changes in the CO₂ concentration was obtained with the sensor system that used Rb_0.33WO₃ as reference electrode.     

Syntheses and reactivities of azido coordinated CpCo(dithiolene) complexes

Azido coordinated dithiolene complexes [CpCo(N₃){S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(S-CHR¹R²)], where R¹, R² = H (4a); R¹ = H, R² = SiMe₃ (4b); R¹ = H, R² = CO₂Et (4c), were synthesized by the reactions of the corresponding Cl⁻ coordinated precursors [CpCo(Cl){S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(S-CHR¹R²)] (3a-3c) with sodium azide. The Cl⁻ coordinated complex 3d (R¹, R² = CO₂Me) did not produce any N₃⁻ coordinated complexes but formed the CR¹R²-bridged alkylidene adduct [CpCo{S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}(CR¹R²)] (2d; R¹, R² = CO₂Me). The structure of 4a was determined by X-ray diffraction study. In the molecular structure of 4a, the coordinated N₃⁻ ligand and CHR¹R² group were located at the same side with respect to the dithiolene ring (syn form), although the corresponding Cl⁻ precursor (3a; R¹, R² = H) was anti form. A structural conversion of syn/anti was conceivable during the Cl⁻/N₃⁻ ligand exchange. Thermal (80 °C) and photochemical reactions (Hg lamp) of 4a-4c were performed. Among them, 4c was relatively well reacted compared with the others to form the CR¹R²-bridged alkylidene adduct (2c; R¹ = H, R² = CO₂Et), followed by a formal HN₃ elimination, and the reaction also produced non-adduct of the cobalt dithiolene complex [CpCo{S₂C₂(CO₂Me)₂}] (1). The electrochemical 1e⁻ reduction of 4c underwent a formal N₃⁻ ligand elimination, and successive second reduction caused the CHR¹R² group elimination or reformed the CR¹R²-bridged alkylidene adduct 2c.     

Electrooxidation of hydrazine catalyzed by 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidinyloxy (TEMPOL)

The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine (N₂H₄) by TEMPOL on a glassy carbon electrode has been studied. The kinetic parameters of the electrode reaction were measured and the electrocatalytic reaction mechanism for the electrooxidation of hydrazine in the presence of TEMPOL was proposed. TEMPOL undergoes a reversible single electron transfer process at a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) at pH 1.2–8.0, and the electrochemical oxidation of N₂H₄ at a GCE can be catalyzed by TEMPOL. The catalytic current is affected by the concentration of catalyst and pH. The overall number of electrons involved in the catalytic oxidation of N₂H₄ and the number of electrons involved in the rate determining step (rds) are 4 and 1, respectively. The catalytic oxidation obeys the first-order kinetics with respect to N₂H₄. The proposed mechanism is consistent with the experimental data, and a cation intermediate [> N---O---N₂H₄⁺], formed by reaction of oxoammonium salt with N₂H₄, is involved in the reaction.     

Organic Additive-derived Films on Cu Electrodes Promote Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to C2+ Products Under Strongly Acidic Conditions

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction (CO₂R) at low pH is desired for high CO₂ utilization; the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a challenge. High alkali cation concentration at a high operating current density has recently been used to promote electrochemical CO₂R at low pH. Herein we report an alternative approach to selective CO₂R (>70 % Faradaic efficiency for C₂₊ products, FE_C2+) at low pH (pH 2; H₃PO₄/KH₂PO₄) and low potassium concentration ([K⁺]=0.1 M) using organic film-modified polycrystalline copper (Modified-Cu). Such an electrode effectively mitigates HER due to attenuated proton transport. Modified-Cu still achieves high FE_C2+ (45 % with Cu foil /55 % with Cu GDE) under 1.0 M H₃PO₄ (pH≈1) at low [K⁺] (0.1 M), even at low operating current, conditions where HER can otherwise dominate.     

An NHC-Stabilized H2GeBH2 Precursor for the Preparation of Cationic Group 13/14/15 Hydride Chains

The synthesis, characterization and reactivity studies of the NHC-stabilized complex IDipp ⋅ GeH₂BH₂OTf ( 1 ) (IDipp=1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolin-2-ylidene) are reported. Nucleophilic substitution of the triflate (OTf) group in 1 by phosphine or arsine donors provides access to the cationic group 13/14/15 chains [IDipp ⋅ GeH₂BH₂ERR¹R²]⁺ ( 2 E=P; R, R¹=H; R²=^tBu; 3 E=P; R=H; R¹, R²=Ph; 4 a E=P; R, R¹, R²=Ph; 4 b E=As; R, R¹, R²=Ph). These novel cationic chains were characterized by X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Moreover, the formation of the parent complexes [IDipp ⋅ GeH₂BH₂PH₃][OTf] ( 5 ) and [IDipp ⋅ GeH₃][OTf] ( 6 ) were achieved by reaction of 1 with PH₃. Accompanying DFT computations give insight into the stability of the formed chains with respect to their decomposition.     

Silylation of γ-nitro ketones as a convenient approach to the synthesis of 2-[N,N-bis(silyloxy)amino]-2,3-dihydrofurans and conjugated enoximes

Silylation of -nitro ketones of the general formula R¹COCH(R²)CH(R³)CH(R⁴)NO₂ proceeded stereoselectively to give 2-[N,N-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)amino]-2,3-dihydrofurans, conjugated enoximes, silylation products of the carbonyl group or both functional groups, or N,N-bis(trimethylsilyloxy)enamine depending on the nature and positions of the substituents in the carbon skeleton. Dihydrofuran derivatives are formed for R¹ = Ar or cyclo-C₃H₅. Enoximes are generated as the silylation products of the starting ketones with enhanced -proton mobility (R³ = CO₂Me or 4-NO₂C₆H₄). The presence of an alkyl group at the carbonyl function (R¹ = Alk) is favorable for the formation of enoximes. Finally, the introduction of a substituent at the position with respect to the nitro group (R⁴ = Me, CO₂Me, or Ph) leads to the formation of silyl enolates. Under the action of NH₄F in MeOH, dihydrofurans can be transformed into substituted furans in moderate yields.     

Reactions of Diazo Compounds with Alkenes Catalysed by [RuCl(cod)(Cp)]: Effect of the Substituents in the Formation of Cyclopropanation or Metathesis Products

The reaction of diazo compounds with alkenes catalysed by complex [RuCl(cod)(Cp)] (cod=1,5‐cyclooctadiene, Cp=cyclopentadienyl) has been studied. The catalytic cycle involves in the first step the decomposition of the diazo derivative to afford the reactive [RuCl(Cp){?C(R¹)R²}] intermediate and a mechanism is proposed for this step based on a kinetic study of the simple coupling reaction of ethyl diazoacetate. The evolution of the Ru–carbene intermediate in the presence of alkenes depends on the nature of the substituents at both the diazo N₂?C(R¹)R² (R¹, R²=Ph, H; Ph, CO₂Me; Ph, Ph; C(R¹)R²=fluorene) and the olefin substrates R³(H)C?C(H)R⁴ (R³, R⁴=CO₂Et, CO₂Et; Ph, Ph; Ph, Me; Ph, H; Me, Br; Me, CN; Ph, CN; H, CN; CN, CN). A remarkable reactivity of the complex was recorded, especially towards unstable aryldiazo compounds and electron‐poor olefins. The results obtained indicate that either cyclopropanation or metathesis products can be formed: the first products are favoured by the presence of a cyano substituent at the double bond and the second ones by a phenyl.     

Laser-induced fluorescence detection of N+2(X 2Σ+g) resulting from the He(23S) + N2 and He+, He+2 + N2 reactions in a flowing afterglow

The formation processes of N⁺₂ (X ²Σ⁺_g) resulting from the He(2 ³S) + N₂ Penning ionization and the thermal energy He⁺, He⁺₂ + N₂ charge transfer reaction are studied by observing the N⁺₂ (B ²Σ⁺_u ← X ²Σ⁺_g) laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) in a flowing afterglow. In both reactions, the vibrational population) decrease monotonically with increasing vibrational quantum number from υ″ = 0 to 3, and a population inversion with a peak at υ″ = 4 is seen. In the He(2 ³S) + N₂ Penning ionization, the vibrational populations of N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 0–2) are explained by a direct channel and the B —X radiative cascade, while those of N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 4–6) are ascribed to the collision-induced electronic energy transfer between the A ²Π_u and X ²Σ⁺_g states. In the He⁺, He⁺₂ + N₂ reaction, the N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 0–3) is interpreted as the B−X radiative cascade and the collisional quenching of the unidentified states produced from the He⁺ + N₂ reaction, while the collision-induced electronic energy transfer from the N⁺₂ (A) state produced through the He⁺₂ + N₂ reaction is probably important for the formation of N⁺₂ (X, υ″ = 4–6).     

Wurtzite CuGaS2 with an In-Situ-Formed CuO Layer Photocatalyzes CO2 Conversion to Ethylene with High Selectivity

We present surface reconstruction-induced C−C coupling whereby CO₂ is converted into ethylene. The wurtzite phase of CuGaS_2. undergoes in situ surface reconstruction, leading to the formation of a thin CuO layer over the pristine catalyst, which facilitates selective conversion of CO₂ to ethylene (C₂H₄). Upon illumination, the catalyst efficiently converts CO₂ to C₂H₄ with 75.1 % selectivity (92.7 % selectivity in terms of R_electron) and a 20.6 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ evolution rate. Subsequent spectroscopic and microscopic studies supported by theoretical analysis revealed operando-generated Cu²⁺, with the assistance of existing Cu⁺, functioning as an anchor for the generated *CO and thereby facilitating C−C coupling. This study demonstrates strain-induced in situ surface reconstruction leading to heterojunction formation, which finetunes the oxidation state of Cu and modulates the CO₂ reduction reaction pathway to selective formation of ethylene.     

Solvent Effect on Rotational Correlation Times of Symmetric Tetraalkylammonium Ions

The overall rotational correlation times of symmetric tetraalkylammonium ions, R ₄N⁺ (R = ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and n-pentyl), in various solvents were determined by the measurements of the ¹³C NMR spin-lattice relaxation times and the nuclear Overhauser enhancement factors of each α-carbon, considering the contribution of the internal rotation around the N—C bond. Except in water, the observed solvent dependencies of the rotational correlation times, τ_r, showed good correlations with those predicted from an electrohydrodynamic (Hubbard–Onsager–Felderhof) model. The correlation times of R ₄N⁺ increased as the size of the alkyl groups became larger. In the case of the n-Bu₄N⁺ and the n-Pen₄N⁺ ion, the τ _r values were similar to or even higher than those predicted by the HOF model under the stick hydrodynamic boundary condition, in spite of the fact that the ions were too small to allow the solvent to be regarded as a hydrodynamic or a dielectric continuum. A comparison of the results with the rotations of other pseudotetrahedral ions, e.g., tetraphenylborate and tetraphenylarsenium ions and with the translation of the R ₄N⁺ ions suggests that a considerable part of the rotational friction for R ₄N⁺ is brought about by pushing aside the solvent in the spaces between the alkyl groups of R ₄N⁺. A significant slowing in the rotation in water was observed for the n-Pr₄N⁺, n-Bu₄N⁺, and n-Pen₄N⁺ions; the extent of this effect increased with increasing size of the alkyl group. The increase in friction was related to the hydrophobic hydration of the R ₄N⁺ ions.