Cation influence on the structure and electron density of water in some Men+�H2O complexes

Abstract

The cation influence on the water molecule in the Li+·H2O, Be2+·H2O, Mg2+·H2O and A13+·H2O complexes has been studied by means of quantum-mechanical ab initio calculations. A number of general trends are noted. (1) The calculated equilibrium water O-H distances increase with increasing binding energies, i.e. in the order Li+, Mg2+, Be2+, Al3+. The H-O-H angles differ by about ±1 ° from the calculated equilibrium angle for the free H2O molecule; the variation has no systematic trend. (2) The electron density redistribution accompanying the change in the internal H2O geometry in these complexes is considerably smaller than the redistribution brought about by the direct influence of the external field. (3) The harmonic O-H stretching force constant decreases with increased cation-water bonding. (4) The qualitative features of the density changes are very similar for the four complexes. The magnitudes of the interactions follow the relation Li+ < Mg2+ < Be2+≲ Al3+. An increased polarization of the H2O molecule occurs with electron migration from the H atoms towards the O atom and an accumulation of electron charge approximately at the centre of the Men+—O bond, especially in Be2+·H2O and A13+·H2O. An electron deficiency is found in the lone-pair region.