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Infrared laser study of methanol, ethanol, and SF/sub 6/ solvation in water clusters

Journal Article · · J. Phys. Chem.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6083923

Mass spectrometric detection in association with infrared laser-induced photofragmentation has been applied to a detailed study of molecular solvation in the following neutral clusters: (CH/sub 3/OH)/sub n/, (CH/sub 3/CH/sub 2/OH)/sub n/, CH/sub 3/OH x (H/sub 2/O)/sub n/, CH/sub 3/CH/sub 2/OH x (H/sub 2/O)/sub n/, SF/sub 6/ x (D/sub 2/O)/sub n/, and SF/sub 6/ x (H/sub 2/O)/sub n/. Infrared absorption profiles for these clusters were measured by monitoring the depletion of ion signal intensity in a mass spectrometer as a function of wavelength using line-tunable radiation from a CO/sub 2/laser. Data are presented for n in the range 2-25. The results suggest that hydrogen bonding in small methanol and methanol/water clusters is dominated by the formation of proton acceptor bonds on individual methanol molecules. In large pure methanol clusters, the measured absorption profiles display features that are consistent with formation of the chainlike hydrogen-bonded structures found in bulk liquid methanol. Features of the ethanol and ethanol/water cluster spectra are also attributed to hydrogen bonding. The recorded spectra from mixed SF/sub 6//water clusters suggest that SF/sub 6/ sits on or close to the surface of the cluster.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Sussex, Brighton (England)
OSTI ID:
6083923
Journal Information:
J. Phys. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Phys. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 92:12; ISSN JPCHA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English