Hydrogen bond network dynamics of heavy water resolved by alcohol hydration under an intense laser

Despite a great deal of effort spanning for decades, it remains yet puzzling concerning how alcohol molecules functionalize the hydrogen bond (H-bond) networks of water. We employed an isotopic substitution method (using alcohol-heavy water system) to avoid spectral overlap between the alcohol hydroxyl groups and water hydrogen bonds. We showed spectrometrically that under the strong pulse laser, the low mixing ratio (V_A < 20%) of alcohol can strengthen the H-bond network structure of D₂O through :ÖC₂H₆↔ D₂Ö: compression. But when V_A > 20%, H-bond network of D₂O will deform via the self-association between alcohol molecules. Our experiments not only reveal the H-bond kinetics of heavy water-alcohol interactions but also provide important reference for understanding the distinctive properties of H-bond in water-organic system.