Evidence of asymmetric cation solvation from the instability of [Pb(H_2O)_n]~(2+) complexes

摘要

Experiments on [Pb(H_2O)_n]~(2+) complexes show that they require an unusually large number of water molecules (eleven) to stabilize the Pb~(2+) ion against charge (proton) transfer.rnThere has been considerable debate in recent years as to why doubly charged metal-ligand complexes should be stable in the gas phase. Attention has frequently focused on water as a ligand, and of particular interest recently has been the series [Pb(H_2O)_n]~(2+), and why two quite disparate experimental methods have both failed to provide any evidence of these ions in the gas phase.