Towards a Microscopic Understanding of Anion Solvation

原子和分子阴离子是海洋、河流、湖泊和大气中普遍存在的成分，是自然和工业化学过程中的关键参与者。在大多数情况下，离子被中性溶剂分子的结构鞘所包围，这深刻地影响了它们的物理和化学性质。目前，人们对阴离子与溶剂分子之间的相互作用知之甚少。在这个项目中，我们将使用激光探测只与阴离子相连的几个分子组成的团簇，产生的信息将增强我们预测和控制涉及药物设计、盐化、大气化学和化学废物修复的化学过程的能力。

Atomic and molecular anions are ubiquitous components of oceans, rivers, lakes, and the atmosphere, and serve as key participants in natural and industrial chemical processes. In most situations ions are surrounded by a structured sheath of neutral solvent molecules which profoundly affects their physical and chemical properties. Currently, interactions between anions and solvent molecules are poorly understood. In this project we will use lasers to probe clusters consisting of just a few molecules attached to an anion, generating information that will enhance our ability to predict and control chemical processes involved in drug design, salination, atmospheric chemistry, and chemical waste remediation.