On the relation between core electron binding energies of ions in solution and their solvation energies

Experimental and computational results from the study of positive and negative ions in solution are presented. The importance of short-range interactions between ion and solvent is studied with regard to core ionization of the ion. Exchange repulsion is found to be a significant factor in the interpretation of data for both cations and anions. Experimental results are presented for the core ionization of the OH^? ion in solution. The data show a strong similarity with corresponding data for the F^? ion, resulting in a large negative solvation energy for the final core hole state. The Be²⁺ ion shows large solvation energies for both ground- and core-ionized states, which is interpreted as due to charge transfer effects between solvent and ion.