Rate constants of atomic hydrogen formation in H3O+(H2O) n + e → H + (H2O) n gas-phase processes

Abstract

Using the Maxwellian electron velocity distribution and the Breit-Wigner approximation of the reaction cross section, the kinetic parameters of the hydrogen atom formation upon the electron capture by positively charged hydronium-water clusters are estimated. Calculations of the cross sections and rate constants are based on the data of quantum chemical studies of H3O+(H2O) n and H3O(H2O) n clusters, particularly on the detailed analysis of the spacing of high-lying states of the radicals and the character of the unpaired electron density distribution, as well as on the general trend in the electron affinity change of the cations depending on the number of water molecules. The lifetimes of the radicals before the dissociation are taken from the classical nonempirical molecular dynamics runs. The results are compared to available experimental data.