Abstract
Water radical cations, (H2O)n+•, are of great research interest in both fundamental and applied sciences. Fundamental studies of water radical reactions are important to better understand the mechanisms of natural processes, such as proton transfer in aqueous solutions, the formation of hydrogen bonds and DNA damage, as well as for the discovery of new gas-phase reactions and products. In applied science, the interest in water radicals is prompted by their potential in radiobiology and as a source of primary ions for selective and sensitive chemical ionization. However, in contrast to protonated water clusters, (H2O)nH+, which are relatively easy to generate and isolate in experiments, the generation and isolation of radical water clusters, (H2O)n+•, is tremendously difficult due to their ultra-high reactivity. This review focuses on the current knowledge and unknowns regarding (H2O)n+• species, including the methods and mechanisms of their formation, structure and chemical properties.
Highlights
Water is crucial for our existence on this planet and is involved in almost all biological and chemical processes [1]
Gas-phase water radical cations can be produced in air plasma under atmospheric pressure
This review focuses on recent studies aimed at uncovering the mechanism of formation, structural characterization and chemical properties of the water radical cation and its clusters
Summary
Water is crucial for our existence on this planet and is involved in almost all biological and chemical processes [1]. Two series of cluster ions ((H2 O)n H+ and (H2 O)n + ) in water ice have been detected simultaneously in experiments involving secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), with Au+ , Au3 + , and C60 + as primary ions [17]. Liu et al recently employed a microfluidic chip combined with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) using keV-energy ion irradiation of Bi3 + as primary ions and only detected. The great interest in water radical cations and their solvated clusters has prompted a large number of studies which have greatly enhanced our understanding of this highly unstable transient state of water over recent years. This review focuses on recent studies aimed at uncovering the mechanism of formation, structural characterization and chemical properties of the water radical cation and its clusters
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