Nature of the hydrogen bond of water in solvents of different polarities

Kathrin M. Lange, Kai F. Hodeck, Ulrich Schade, Emad F. Aziz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

The hydrogen bonding of water molecules in different solvents is studied systematically using X-ray absorption and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. We show that (i) at the lowest water concentration measured in benzene and acetonitrile the water molecules are mainly symmetrically bonded. The electronic structure of these water molecules differs from the one of gas or liquid water and is rather icelike. (ii) The clustering of water molecules upon increasing concentration is solvent-specific. Upon comparing the results for nonpolar benzene and polar chloroform, a preferential orientation of the water molecules around the benzene is observed. In polar acetonitrile, a shared solvation of water and acetonitrile molecules would lead to the formation of a water structure of rings and chains.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16997-17001
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Physical Chemistry B
Volume114
Issue number50
DOIs
StatePublished - 23 Dec 2010
Externally publishedYes

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Nature of the hydrogen bond of water in solvents of different polarities'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this