How the Shape of an H-Bonded Network Controls Proton-Coupled Water Activation in HONO Formation

Abstract

Numerous reactions of small molecules and ions in the atmosphere take place in the confines of watery aerosols. Relph et al. (p. 308 ; see the Perspective by Siefermann and Abel ) explored the specific influence of a water cluster's geometry on the transformation of solvated nitrosonium (NO + ) to nitrous acid (HONO). The reaction involves (O)N–O(H) bond formation with one water molecule, concomitant with proton transfer to additional, surrounding water molecules. Vibrational spectroscopy and theoretical simulations suggest that certain arrangements of the surrounding water network are much more effective than others in accommodating this charge transfer, and thus facilitating the reaction.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 15, 2010
Source ID
10.1126/science.1177118

Entities

People

  • Albert A Viggiano
  • Anne B. McCoy
  • Ben M. Elliott
  • Daniel P. Schofield
  • Eldon E. Ferguson
  • Kenneth D. Jordan
  • Mark A. Johnson
  • Michael Z. Kamrath
  • Rachael A. Relph
  • Ryan P Steele
  • Timothy L. Guasco

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory
  • Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory
  • Ohio State University
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • Yale University

Tags

Readers

  • Quantum Chemistry
  • Spectroscopy.
  • Systems Analysis and Design