Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026

Probing the Structure and Dynamics of Interfacial Water with Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy
Published on: May 27, 2018
X-ray absorption spectroscopy of liquid methanol microjets: bulk electronic structure and hydrogen bonding network
Kevin R Wilson1, Matteo Cavalleri, Bruce S Rude
1Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, FYSIKUM, Stockholm University, AlbaNova University Center, S-10691 Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
We have measured the X-ray absorption (XA) spectrum of liquid (298 K) methanol at the oxygen and carbon K edges. The 4a(1) orbital at the O K edge exhibits a pronounced sensitivity to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds, with significant differences observed between the vapor and bulk spectra, whereas the C K edge reveals only subtle corresponding spectral changes. Comparison with DFT computed spectra of model methanol clusters indicates that the bulk liquid comprises long chains (n > 6) and rings of hydrogen-bonded monomers.
Related Concept Videos
¹H NMR: Complex Splitting
Splitting diagrams or splitting tree diagrams are routinely used to depict such complex couplings. While drawing splitting diagrams, the splitting with the larger coupling constant is usually applied first.
¹H NMR of Labile Protons: Temporal Resolution
The –OH proton in alcohols typically appears in the range of δ 2 to 5 ppm but can vary depending on the specific...
¹H NMR of Labile Protons: Deuterium (²H) Substitution
IR Spectrum Peak Broadening: Hydrogen Bonding
However, the extent of hydrogen bonding influences the observed stretching frequency and band broadening. Intermolecular or intramolecular hydrogen bonding...
Mass Spectrometry: Alcohol Fragmentation
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Atomization Methods

