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Title: Broadband 2D IR spectroscopy reveals dominant asymmetric H5O2+ proton hydration structures in acid solutions

Journal Article · · Nature Chemistry

Given its critical role in redox chemistry, determining the structure of the aqueous excess proton and the mechanism of proton transport in water remains an intense area of experimental and theoretical research. The ultrafast dynamics of the proton’s hydration structure has made experimental study extremely challenging. Using ultrafast broadband two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy, we show that the vibrational spectrum of the aqueous proton is fully consistent with a protonated water complex broadly defined as a Zundel like H5O2+ motif. Analysis of the inhomogeneously broadened proton stretch two-dimensional lineshape indicates an intrinsically asymmetric, low barrier O-H+-O potential that exhibits surprisingly persistent distributions in both its asymmetry and O-O distance. Finally, this structural characterization has direct implications for the extent of delocalization of the proton’s excess charge and possible mechanisms for proton transport in water.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Chicago, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences Division
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0014305
OSTI ID:
1480907
Journal Information:
Nature Chemistry, Vol. 10, Issue 9; ISSN 1755-4330
Publisher:
Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 92 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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Cited By (11)

Transient Glass Formation around a Quadrupolar Photoexcited Dye in a Strongly H-Bonding Liquid Observed by Transient 2D-IR Spectroscopy journal November 2018
Identifying Eigen-like hydrated protons at negatively charged interfaces journal January 2020
Unprecedented O:⇔:O compression and H↔H fragilization in Lewis solutions journal January 2019
The solvation effect on the rattling behaviour of the hydrated excess proton in water journal January 2019
Entropic barriers in the kinetics of aqueous proton transfer journal July 2019
Aqueous charge injection: solvation bonding dynamics, molecular nonbond interactions, and extraordinary solute capabilities journal October 2018
Transient Glass Formation around a Quadrupolar Photoexcited Dye in a Strongly H‐Bonding Liquid Observed by Transient 2D‐IR Spectroscopy journal November 2018
Transient Glass Formation around a Quadrupolar Photoexcited Dye in a Strongly H-Bonding Liquid Observed by Transient 2D-IR Spectroscopy text January 2018
Tracking Aqueous Proton Transfer by Two-Dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy and ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations journal May 2019
Hydrated Excess Proton Raman Spectral Densities Probed in Floating Water Bridges journal October 2018
Nature of Excess Hydrated Proton at the Water–Air Interface journal December 2019

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