The Nature of the Hydrated Proton H_(aq)⁺ in Organic Solvents

Abstract

The nature of H(H2O)n(+) cations for n = 3-8 with weakly basic carborane counterions has been studied by IR spectroscopy in benzene and dichloroethane solution. Contrary to general expectation, neither Eigen-type H3O x 3 H2O(+) nor Zundel-type H5O2(+) x 4 H2O ions are present. Rather, the core species is the H7O3(+) ion.