Unprecedented O:⇔:O compression and H↔H fragilization in Lewis solutions

Area of Science:

• Physical Chemistry
• Chemical Physics
• Solution Chemistry

Background:

• Charge injection via lone pairs, protons, and ions is crucial for hydrogen bonding in Lewis solutions.
• Understanding solute-solvent interactions and hydrogen bond (HB) transitions is key to explaining solution properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate recent progress and future trends in charge injection and HB transitions in acidic and basic solutions.
• To clarify the role of O:H-O bond transitions in HX and YOH solutions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized O:H-O bond cooperativity, differential phonon spectrometrics, and calorimetric detection.
• Employed quantum computations to analyze solute capabilities and HB transitions.
• Investigated hydration shells formed by ions (Y+, X-) via electrostatic polarization.

Main Results:

• Protons (H+) and lone pairs form tetrahedral motifs ((H3O+)·4H2O and (OH-)·4H2O), not free shuttling.
• Acidic solutions exhibit H↔H anti-HB bond breakers, disrupting the solvent network.
• Basic solutions show O:⇔:O super-HB compressors, lengthening and weakening solute H-O bonds, causing heating.

Conclusions:

• The O:H-O bond transition is more revealing than proton/lone pair mobility for understanding solution behavior.
• Specific HB transitions (H↔H and O:⇔:O) directly influence solvent network structure and thermal properties.
• Ion hydration follows established patterns of electrostatic polarization and dipolar shielding.