title: Understanding the microsolvation of radicals: Infrared spectroscopy of benzyl radical water clusters.
abstract: The IR spectrum of benzyl radical:water clusters was recorded. Benzyl radicals were produced by vacuum flash pyrolysis and trapped in superfluid helium nanodroplets. The infrared spectrum of benzyl radical water aggregates in the range 2585-2820 cm-1was recorded by subsequent addition of deuterated water. A total of seven peaks are observed at 2766, 2750, 2656, 2638, 2633, 2598, and 2593 cm-1. Based on pressure dependent measurements and comparison to accompanying ab initio calculations, five of these bands are assigned to distinct O-D stretch vibrations of benzyl:water clusters with one and two water molecules. In line with previous experiments on benzene:water clusters, we observe the formation of a water dimer-like motif that is attached to one face of the benzyl radical.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leicht
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Matin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaufmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Raffael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schwaab
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Chemistry II, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, 44780 Bochum, Germany.
authors.forename: Martina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Havenith