Unimolecular and hydrolysis channels for the detachment of water from microsolvated alkaline earth dication (Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ba2+) clusters

We examine theoretically the three channels that are associated with the detachment of a single water molecule from the aqueous clusters of the alkaline earth dications, [M(H₂O) _n ]²⁺, M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, n ≤ 6. These are the unimolecular water loss (M²⁺(H₂O) _n?1 + H₂O) and the two hydrolysis channels resulting the loss of hydronium ([MOH(H₂O) _n?2]⁺ + H₃O⁺) and Zundel ([MOH(H₂O) _n?3]⁺ + H₃O⁺(H₂O)) cations. Minimum energy paths (MEPs) corresponding to those three channels were constructed at the Møller–Plesset second order perturbation (MP2) level of theory with basis sets of double- and triple-ζ quality. We furthermore investigated the water and hydronium loss channels from the mono-hydroxide water clusters with up to four water molecules, [MOH(H₂O) _n ]⁺, 1 ≤ n ≤ 4. Our results indicate the preference of the hydronium loss and possibly the Zundel-cation loss channels for the smallest size clusters, whereas the unimolecular water loss channel is preferred for the larger ones as well as the mono-hydroxide clusters. Although the charge separation (hydronium and Zundel-cation loss) channels produce more stable products when compared to the ones for the unimolecular water loss, they also require the surmounting of high-energy barriers, a fact that makes the experimental observation of fragments related to these hydrolysis channels difficult.     

Loss of metallicity in metal rich lithium oxide clusters

Mixed lithium-lithium oxide aggregates are experimentally obtained from unimolecular evaporative cascades starting at metal rich Li _p ⁺ (Li₂O)_n species and ending with the stoichiometric limit Li⁺(Li₂O)_n, for several sizes of the oxide part (Li₂O)_n with 0 ≤ n ≤ 8. The results show evidence of the vanishing of the properties of the quantum metallic droplet i.e. shell closing and odd-even alternation, portrayed in the dissociation energy, with increasing size of the oxide component. The competition between monomer and dimer lithium evaporation from the heated metal rich Li _p ⁺ (Li₂O)_n species points out the influence of the perturbation induced by the oxide component on the mixed metal oxide clusters.     

Non-additivity in water-ion-water interactions

The three-body system Li⁺(H₂O)₂ was analyzed to study that non-additive part of the interaction potential which can be obtained by the Hartree-Fock approximation.For long and intermediate distances the three-body correction was found to be well represented by the induction energy, where bond dipoles are induced on each water molecule by point charges located on the (unpolarizable) lithium ion and on the other molecule respectively: for shorter distances this approximation was corrected by means of an exponential repulsive term. Such a potential model for non-additive interactions was extended to the more general situation Li⁺(H₂O)_n, and Monte-Carlo calculations were carried out on clusters containing up to six water molecules; comparison with other simulation results and with available data showed a significantly improved agreement with experiment. Tentative values for H are presented for n =7, 8,..., 20, where experimental data are not available.     

Observations of magic numbers in gas phase hydrates of alkylammonium ions

Hydration of alkylammonium ions under nonanalytical electrospray ionization conditions has been found to yield cluster ions with more than 20 water molecules associated with the central ion. These cluster ion species are taken to be an approximation of the conditions in liquid water. Many of the alkylammonium cation mass spectra exhibit water cluster numbers that appear to be particularly favorable, i.e., “magic number clusters” (MNC). We have found MNC in hydrates of mono- and tetra-alkyl ammonium ions, NH₃(C _m H_2m+1)⁺(H₂O) _n , m=1–8 and N(C _m H_2m+1) ₄ ⁺ (H₂O) _n , m=2–8. In contrast, NH₂(CH₃) ₂ ⁺ (H₂O) _n , NH(CH₃) ₃ ⁺ (H₂O) _n1 and N(CH₃) ₄ ⁺ (H₂O) _n do not exhibit any MNC. We conjecture that the structures of these magic number clusters correspond to exohedral structures in which the ion is situated on the surface of the water cage in contrast to the widely accepted caged ion structures of H₃O⁺(H₂O) _n and NH ₄ ⁺ (H₂O) _n .     

Molecular beam multiphoton-ionization studies on ammonia—water binary clusters

Two-photon ionization mass spectra are obtained for NH₃H₂O binary clusters both with a nozzle beam and an ArF excimer laser. The detected major ions are H⁺(NH₃)_n(H₂O)_m(1 <m + n < 9). The results suggest that ammonia molecules constitute an inner shell which is surrounted by water molecules.     

Structural and Infrared Spectroscopic Study on Solvation of Acetylene by Protonated Water Molecules

The effect of solvation on the conformation of acetylene has been studied by adding one water molecule at a time. Quantum chemical calculations of the H⁺(C₂H₂)(H₂O)_n (n=1-5) clusters indicate that the H₂O molecules prefer to form the OH…π interaction rather than the CH…O interaction. This solvation motif is different from that of neutral (C₂H₂)(H₂O)_n (n=1-4) clusters, in which the H₂O molecules prefer to form the CH…O and OH…C H-bonds. For the H⁺(C₂H₂)(H₂O)_n cationic clusters, the first solvation shell consists of one ring structure with two OH…π H-bonds and three water molecules, which is completed at n=4. Simulated infrared spectra reveal that vibrational frequencies of OH…π H-bonded O-H stretching afford a sensitive probe for exploring the solvation of acetylene by protonated water molecules. Infrared spectra of the H⁺(C₂H₂)(H₂O)_n(n=1-5) clusters could be readily measured by the infrared photodissociation technique and thus provide useful information for the understanding of solvation processes.     

Experimental Signature of Microheterogeneity in Ionic Liquid–H2O Systems and Their Perturbation by Adding Li+ Salts: A Pulsed Gradient Spin‐Echo NMR Approach

Distinct microheterogeneity has been observed in the [OMIM]Br–H₂O system, which is interestingly perturbed by the addition of Li⁺ salts, indicating unusual diffusivity of [OMIM]Br and H₂O molecules. However, the diffusional dynamics of water clusters show contrasting salting behavior at higher concentrations of Li⁺ salts, following the classical salting phenomenon in lower amounts. In contrast, the existing microheterogeneity in the [BMIM]Br–H₂O system is weak enough to show any perturbation caused by the Li⁺ salts on the NMR time scale.     

Computer study of the absorption of ethane by aqueous ultradispersed medium: IR spectra

Absorption of ethane molecules by water clusters containing 10–20 molecules is studied by the molecular dynamics method. The (H₂O) _n (I), C₂H₆(H₂O) _n (II), and (C₂H₆)₂(H₂O) _n (III) cluster systems are composed on the basis of specific statistical weights. Spectral characteristics of system and single clusters are determined in the frequency range of 0 ≤ ω ≤ 1000 cm^?1. In this frequency range, both real and imaginary parts of dielectric permittivity decrease monotonically after the absorption of C₂H₆ molecules by an aqueous ultradispersed system. Integral coefficient of IR absorption increases, while average (over frequency) reflection coefficient decreases after the absorption of ethane molecules. The intensity of IR scattering by the systems of clusters containing C₂H₆ molecules lowers. Maximal values of radiation power for water clusters with various sizes are balanced with the capture of ethane molecules by the clusters, whereas oscillations in the size dependence of the density of electrons that are active with respect to IR radiation decrease.     

Threshold photoionization behaviour of (Li2O)Lin clusters produced by a laser vaporization source

We report on the production of small and medium size lithium and lithium oxide clusters by a laser vaporization cluster source. The isotopomeric distribution of natural lithium allowed to identify Li_kO clusters as the most abundant components in the mass spectrum. Photoionization efficiency curves of Li_kO clusters with photon energies from 3.4 to 4.7 eV were measured for 8 ≤ k ≤ 27. Using linear extrapolation of the increase in photoionization efficiency with photon energy, ionization potentials were extracted. With the chemical bond of the O^2- anion to two Li atoms, leaving n = k-2 valence electrons in the (Li₂O)Li_n clusters, clear shell closure effects are present at n = 8 and n = 20.     

A microsolvation approach to the prediction of the relative enthalpies and free energies of hydration for ammonium ions

Hartree–Fock (HF) and second-order Møller–Plesset (MP2) calculations were used to investigate the structures and thermochemistry of methylammonium–water clusters (Me_4-m NH _m ⁺ (H₂O) _n , m=1–4, n=1–4). Water molecules were treated ab initio and with effective fragment potentials (EFP). In addition to a thorough phase-space search, the importance of basis set, electron correlation, and thermodynamic effects was systematically examined. Cluster structures resulted from hydrogen bond formation between the ammonium group and water molecules; upon saturation of the hydrogen bonding sites of the ammonium group, water molecules entered the second hydration shell. With only four water molecules, the experimental relative enthalpies of hydration were well reproduced at the HF level, while the MP2 relative free energies were in best agreement with experiment. Absolute energies of hydration were calculated using an empirical correction. These results strongly suggest that a HF-based microsolvation approach employing a small number of water molecules can be used to compute relative enthalpies of hydration.     

Inception of Acetic Acid/Water Cluster Growth in Molecular Beams

The influence of carboxylic acids on water nucleation in the gas phase has been explored in the supersonic expansion of water vapour mixed with acetic acid (AcA) at various concentrations. The sodium‐doping method has been used to detect clusters produced in supersonic expansions by using UV photoionisation. The mass spectra obtained at lower acid concentrations show well‐detected Na⁺?AcA(H₂O)_n and Na⁺?AcA₂(H₂O)_n clusters up to 200 Da and, in the best cooling expansions, emerging Na⁺?AcA_m(H₂O)_n signals at higher masses and unresolved signals that extend beyond m/e values >1000 Da. These signals, which increase with increasing acid content in water vapour, are an indication that the cluster growth taking place arises from mixed water–acid clusters. Theoretical calculations show that small acid–water clusters are stable and their formation is even thermodynamically favoured with respect to pure water clusters, especially at lower temperatures. These findings suggest that acetic acid may play a significant role as a pre‐nucleation embryo in the formation of aerosols in wet environments.     

A comparison study of the H + CH4 and H + SiH4 reactions with eight-dimensional quantum dynamics: normal mode versus local mode in the reactant molecule vibration

The hydration of NaCl has been widely studied and believed to be important for understanding the mechanisms of salt dissolution in water and the formation of ice nucleus, cloud, and atmospheric aerosols. However, understanding on the poly-NaCl ion pair interacting with water is very limited. Here, we investigated the adsorption of water molecules on (NaCl)₃, using both theoretical calculations and anion photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The calculated vertical detachment energies and the experimental ones agree well with each other. Furthermore, we found that, for neutral (NaCl)₃(H₂O) _n (n = 2–7) clusters, the water-doped cuboid and structures formed by adding water molecules on the Na–Cl edges of the cuboid are energetically favored; water molecules preferentially bind to the Na–Cl edge if the NaCl ion pair has larger partial charges than others. We also found the anionic structures are more various compared with neutral ones, and the Na⁺ and Cl^? ions are hydrated more easily in the anionic clusters than in the corresponding neutrals.     

Monte Carlo bicanonical ensemble simulation for sodium cation hydration free energy in liquid water

A series of bicanonical ensemble Monte Carlo (BC MC) simulations has been performed to calculate Na⁺ hydration Gibbs energy in aqueous solution. The hydration Gibbs energy of Na⁺ ion in aqueous solution is the difference between formation free energies of Na⁺ (H₂O)_n and (H₂O)_n clusters at n → α. The convergence of the hydration free energy to bulk water value is fast, and the results at n = 60 turned out to be in good agreement with experimental ones and those calculated using free energy perturbation method [1]. The ion–water interaction has been described by Aqvist's pair potential [1] and SPC model [2] has been used for water–water interactions. The behaviour of the absolute Gibbs energy, the entropy, the internal energy of the clusters and the development of hydration shells’ structure with the increase of the number of water molecules are discussed.     

Untersuchungen zur Kristallstruktur von Lithium‐dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborat aus wäßriger Lösung: Li2(H2O)7[B12H12]

Investigations on the Crystal Structure of Lithium Dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate from Aqueous Solution: Li₂(H₂O)₇[B₁₂H₁₂] By neutralization of an aqueous solution of the acid (H₃O)₂[B₁₂H₁₂] with lithium hydroxide (LiOH) and subsequent isothermic evaporation of the resulting solution to dryness, it was possible to obtain the heptahydrate of lithium dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate Li₂[B₁₂H₁₂] · 7 H₂O (≡ Li₂(H₂O)₇[B₁₂H₁₂]). Its structure has been determined from X‐ray single crystal data at room temperature. The compound crystallizes as colourless, lath‐shaped, deliquescent crystals in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm with the lattice constants a = 1215.18(7), b = 934.31(5), c = 1444.03(9) pm and four formula units in the unit cell. The crystal structure of Li₂(H₂O)₇[B₁₂H₁₂] can not be described as a simple AB₂‐structure type. Instead it forms a layer‐like structure analogous to the well‐known barium compound Ba(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂]. Characteristic feature is the formation of isolated cation pairs [Li₂(H₂O)₇]²⁺ in which the water molecules form two [Li(H₂O)₄]⁺ tetrahedra with eclipsed conformation, linked to a dimer via a common corner. The bridging oxygen atom (∢(Li‐ O ‐Li) = 112°) thereby formally substitutes Ba²⁺ in Ba(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂] according to (H₂ O )Li₂(H₂O)₆[B₁₂H₁₂]. A direct coordinative influence of the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2— cluster anions to the Li⁺ cations is not noticeable, however. The positions of the hydrogen atoms of both the water molecules and the [B₁₂H₁₂]^2— units have all been localized. In addition, the formation of B‐H^δ—···^δ+H‐O‐hydrogen bonds between the water molecules and the hydrogen atoms from the anionic [B₁₂H₁₂]^2— clusters is considered and their range and strength is discussed. The dehydratation of the heptahydrate has been investigated by DTA‐TG measurements and shown to take place in two steps at 56 and 151 °C, respectively. Thermal treatment leads to the anhydrous lithium dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate Li₂[B₁₂H₁₂], eventually.     

Rate constants of atomic hydrogen formation in H3O+(H2O) n + e → H + (H2O) n gas-phase processes

Using the Maxwellian electron velocity distribution and the Breit-Wigner approximation of the reaction cross section, the kinetic parameters of the hydrogen atom formation upon the electron capture by positively charged hydronium-water clusters are estimated. Calculations of the cross sections and rate constants are based on the data of quantum chemical studies of H₃O⁺(H₂O) _n and H₃O(H₂O) _n clusters, particularly on the detailed analysis of the spacing of high-lying states of the radicals and the character of the unpaired electron density distribution, as well as on the general trend in the electron affinity change of the cations depending on the number of water molecules. The lifetimes of the radicals before the dissociation are taken from the classical nonempirical molecular dynamics runs. The results are compared to available experimental data. The article is published in the original.     

Ionization of sodium in water clusters

Structures of Na(H₂O)_n and Na⁺(H₂O)_n clusters with n = 1?6, 19, and 28 are determined in the second order of the Møller-Plesset perturbation theory with the use of extended atomic basis set 6–31++G^**. It is found that when the number of molecules is sufficient for the formation of two solvation shells around sodium, a continuous hydrogen-bond network is formed in both neutral and charged clusters, and the orientation of each molecule is determined by the balance between interactions with the neighboring water molecules and with the field of the central particle. In the cations, this field is stronger, and up to the third solvation shell, molecules have a predominant orientation with respect to sodium. In the neutral clusters, with an increase in the number of water molecules, the maximum of the electron density distribution of the highest occupied molecular orbital becomes more distant from the sodium nucleus, being shifted toward the cluster surface. The energy of this orbital accordingly decreases in absolute value approaching 22 kcal/mol inmicroparticles. In the charged clusters, the distribution of the positive charge generally correlates with the character of the highest occupied orbital in the neutral systems, so that with an increase in the number of molecules, the atomic charge of sodium decreases and tends to zero as n → ∞. The ionization potential of sodium changes in inverse proportion to the linear size of the cluster, and should not exceed 1.1 eV in watermicroparticles.     

On the Search for H5O2+centered Water Clusters in the Gas Phase

In searching for H₅O₂⁺-centered water clusters, we employed vibrational predissociation spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Structures of the clusters were characterized by the free- and hydrogen-bonded-OH stretches of ion cores and solvent molecules. Systematic examination of H⁺(H₂O)_5–7 in a supersonic expansion reveals the presence of both cyclic and noncyclic forms of H₅O₂⁺-centered water clusters. The proton transfer intermediate H₅O₂⁺(H₂O)₄ was identified, for the first time, by its characteristic hydrogen-bonded-OH stretches of the ion core at 3178 cm^?1. Also discovered at n = 7 is the H₅O₂⁺-containing five-membered ring isomer, whose existence is evidenced by the observation of a bonded-OH stretching doublet at 3544 and 3555 cm^?1 of the solvent molecules. The observations are in accord with ab initio calculations which forecast that H₅O₂⁺(H₂O)₄ and H₅O₂⁺(H₂O)₅ are, respectively, the lowest-energy isomers of protonated water hexamers and heptamers.     

Photochemical Hydrogen Evolution at Metal Centers Probed with Hydrated Aluminium Cations,Al+(H2O)n,n=1–10

Hydrated aluminium cations have been investigated as a photochemical model system with up to ten water molecules by UV action spectroscopy in a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometer. Intense photodissociation was observed starting at 4.5 eV for two to eight water molecules with loss of atomic hydrogen, molecular hydrogen and water molecules. Quantum chemical calculations for n=2 reveal that solvation shifts the intense 3s–3p excitations of Al⁺ into the investigated photon energy range below 5.5 eV. During the photochemical relaxation, internal conversion from S₁ to T₂ takes place, and photochemical hydrogen formation starts on the T₂ surface, which passes through a conical intersection, changing to T₁. On this triplet surface, the electron that was excited to the Al 3p orbital is transferred to a coordinated water molecule, which dissociates into a hydroxide ion and a hydrogen atom. If the system remains in the triplet state, this hydrogen radical is lost directly. If the system returns to singlet multiplicity, the reaction may be reversed, with recombination with the hydroxide moiety and electron transfer back to aluminium, resulting in water evaporation. Alternatively, the hydrogen radical can attack the intact water molecule, forming molecular hydrogen and aluminium dihydroxide. Photodissociation is observed for up to n=8. Clusters with n=9 or 10 occur exclusively as HAlOH⁺(H₂O)_n-1 and are transparent in the investigated energy range. For n=4–8, a mixture of Al⁺(H₂O)_n and HAlOH⁺(H₂O)_n-1 is present in the experiment.     

The Arrangement of First- and Second-shell Water Molecules Around Metal Ions: Effects of Charge and Size

Structural features of clusters involving a metal ion (Li⁺, Na⁺, Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, Zn²⁺, Al³⁺, or Ti⁴⁺) surrounded by a total of 18 water molecules arranged in two or more shells have been studied using density functional theory. Effects of the size and charge of each metal ion on the organization of the surrounding water molecules are compared to those found for a Mg[H₂O]₆²⁺• [H₂O]₁₂ cluster that has the lowest known energy on the Mg²⁺• [H₂O]₁₈ potential energy surface (Markham et al. in J Phys Chem B 106:5118–5134, 2002). The corresponding clusters with Zn²⁺ or Al³⁺ have similar structures. In contrast to this, clusters with a monovalent Li⁺ or Na⁺ ion, or with a very small Be²⁺ ion, differ in their hydrogen-bonding patterns and the coordination number can decrease to four. The tetravalent Ti⁴⁺ ionizes one inner-shell water molecule to a hydroxyl group leaving a Ti⁴⁺(H₂O)₅ (OH⁻) core, and an H₃O⁺• • • H₂O moiety dissociates from the second shell of water molecules. These observations highlight the influence of cation size and charge on the local structure of hydrated ions, the high-charge cations causing chemical changes and the low-charge cations being less efficient in maintaining the local order of water molecules. Electronic Supplementary Material: Supplementary material is available for this article at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/S00214-005-0056-2.     

First principles study and database analyses of structural preferences for sodium ion (Na+) solvation and coordination

Extensive computations were performed on aqueous clusters of monovalent sodium cation [Na⁺(H₂O) _n ; (n = 1–20)] using MP2/cc-pVTZ and density functional theory. The structure, energy, and coordination number (CN) preference of a large number of competing conformations of different complexes have been explored. For complexes up to n = 12, the CN 4 is most preferred while 5, 6 CNs are favored in case of larger complexes containing up to 20 water molecules. These results are in very good agreement with experimental observations. The strength of hydrogen bonding among the waters coordinated to the Na⁺ ion is found to play a major role in the stability of the complexes. The varying preferences for CN of Na⁺ ion were explored by screening two important databases: Protein Databank and Cambridge Structural Database. A linear correlation is observed between the M (Metal)–O distance and the charge on metal ion in complex with the increase in CN of metal ion.