Collision induced complex formation following electron capture of SO2-H2O complex interacting with argon atoms

Electron capture dynamics of SO(2)-H(2)O(Ar)(n) complexes (n = 0-2) have been investigated by means of direct ab initio molecular dynamics (MD) method in order to elucidate the effects of solvent argon on the reaction dynamics of SO(2)-H(2)O. The neutral complex of SO(2)-H(2)O has a C(s) symmetry, and the sulfur of SO(2) interacts with the oxygen of H(2)O with an eclipsed form. In the SO(2)-H(2)O(Ar)(n) complexes, the dipole of H(2)O interacts with the argon atoms in the most stable structure. Following the electron capture of the complex SO(2)-H(2)O, the complex anion SO(2)(-)(H(2)O) is dissociated directly into SO(2)(-) + H(2)O. On the other hand, the electron capture of SO(2)(H(2)O)(Ar)(n) argon complex (n = 1-2) leads to the anion-water complex SO(2)(-)(H(2)O) because the collision of H(2)O with the Ar atom causes a rebound of H(2)O from Ar atom to the SO(2)(-) anion. The argon solvent enhanced the SO(2)(-)(H(2)O) complex formation. The reaction mechanism of SO(2)(H(2)O) in the participation of argon atoms was discussed on the basis of the present results.