Energetics of gas phase proton solvation by NH3

Abstract

The absolute proton affinity of NH3 (203.6±1.3 kcal/mole at 298 K) and the proton solvation energies by more than one NH3 have been determined by the molecular beam–photoionization method. In addition, the NH3+–NH3 interaction energy (0.79±0.05 eV) has been measured by photoionization of the neutral van der Waals dimer. These experiments have shown that photoionization of van der Waals clusters is a very powerful method for determining the energetics of gas phase proton solvation.