It is well established that NH3 and HCl form in isolation a hydrogen bonded complex NH3…HCl rather than an ionic salt, NH4+Cl-. This experimental and theoretical study utilized anion photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio theory to investigate the effect of an excess electron on the hydrogen bonded complex NH3 …HCl. Our results indicate that one electron is sufficient to drive the hydrogen bonded complex to form the ionic salt. We propose a stepwise mechanism for this process involving an initial dipole-bound state, followed by the formation of a distorted Rydberg species, NH40.
Revised: April 7, 2011 |
Published: February 15, 2008
Citation
Eustis S., D. Radisic, K.H. Bowen, R.A. Bachorz, M. Haranczyk, G.K. Schenter, and M.S. Gutowski. 2008.Electron-Driven Acid-Base Chemistry: Proton Transfer from Hydrogen Chloride to Ammonia.Science 319, no. 5865:936-939.PNNL-SA-57828.doi:10.1126/science.1151614