IR spectroscopic properties of H(MeOH)n + clusters in the liquid phase: evidence for a proton wire.
The long-standing problem of understanding the nature of the "excess proton" in acidified water is simplified by studying the proton in methanol. The 3D network of hydrogen bonds in H(aq) + is reduced to a 1D problem. Infrared spectroscopic characterization of linear chain methanol proton solvates in H(CH3OH)n + for n=2-8 provides insight into some of the puzzling IR spectral features associated with O-H-O vibrations. These include the virtual disappearance of otherwise strong bands from H-bonded methanol molecules adjacent to symmetrical O-H+-O groups. The data indicate that a chain of up to four O--HO bonds either side of this group can act as an electrical wire to separate positive charge. This suggests a refinement of the Grotthuss proton-hopping mechanism for explaining the anomalously high mobility of H+ in H-bonded media.
Stoyanov
Evgenii S
ES
Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521, USA. stoyanov_e@reedgroup.ucr.edu
Stoyanova
Irina V
IV
Reed
Christopher A
CA
D006860:Hydrogen Bonding; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry*; D011522:Protons; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry; D013055:Spectrophotometry, Infrared / Q000379:methods
D011522:Protons; D012997:Solvents; D000432:Methanol